01/08/2012
As if the competition of the
Olympics wasn’t enough, a number of athletes are using twitter to ignite banterous showdowns with one another.
Great Britain’s Tom Daley and Australia’s Matthew Mitcham, who face each other in Friday’s 10m platform diving heats, are the latest Olympians to engage in a series of light-hearted online exchanges.
Mitcham hit the headlines last week following his riotous exploration of the Athletes’ Village, in which he posted a picture of himself atop of the giant Olympic rings.
18-year-old Daley staged a cheeky riposte, recreating the Australian’s stunt danger-free thanks to some camera-trickery on Tuesday. “classic,” Mitcham replied: “made me hardcore LOL”
Meanwhile there was entertaining banter among the Canadian rowing contingent after the men’s eight’s silver medal-winning race. Canadian tv commentator and three-time Olympic rowing champion Marnie McBean questioned the decision to dunk their cox after their event.
Throwing the cox in the water may be a tradition but, McBean asked, “Why throw the 120lb coxie in when you've got 240lb@malcolmhoward ?! Followed by backflips by @BowManBergen Some pretty big splashes!”
The 6 foot 6 inch (1m 98cm) tall Howard, who captains the eight, retweeted her. But neither he, nor fellow crew member Conlin McCabe – who stands two inches (5.1cm) taller than Howard – had an explanation….watch this space!
You can follow these and other Olympians on the Official Olympic Athletes’ Hub. Remember: Stay social!