Opinion

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Kramer versus Balkenende

Wednesday 24 February 2010

Speed skating or the collapse of the government? For tv viewers at least, it is no contest, writes Robin Pascoe

The goverment’s just collapsed, the rest of Nato hates us because we are pulling out of Afghanistan, a political group which wants to ban halal food in schools and bring in commandos to patrol the streets may just become the biggest party in the country, and what is the main topic of the day?

Sven Kramer.

The fastest man in the world on ice over 10 kilometers, who listened to his coach rather than follow his gut instincts and ended up throwing away the gold medal.

It’s the subject in the gym, on the tram, in the butchers and at the office. The momentary lapse in concentration and a split second decision which saw Holland’s golden boy miss his dream in front of millions.

And millions it was. Over five million people tuned into to watch Sven’s attempt to take the double, after winning the 5 kilometer event at the weekend. Nearly five million people out of population of 17 million…..

Compare that with the two million who watched the main evening news the day the cabinet collapsed, and you get a good idea of our priorities.

Even crown prince Willem Alexander said he was gutted about Sven.

Meanwhile his mum was called back from her skiing holiday to sort out the government.

It’s the fourth time in eight years she’s had to bail out Balkenende, so it must be getting a bit repetitive.

You’d think someone would say to him by now that perhaps it is time to give up. Four governments in eight years and he still can’t get it right.

The fact that Balkenende was instantly acclaimed leader of the CDA election campaign yet again may help explain the public’s boredom with the subject of politics.

After all, nothing at the top seems to change.

But in skating anything can happen – even if we are talking about 13 long minutes watching two men skate round a track in silence.

For the Dutch, last night’s dramatic events will take some beating.

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