ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER..

I think the choice of Roy Hodgson as England manager was inspired.  He is vastly experienced, successful, intelligent and articulate and the introduction of his tenure at the European Championships was encouraging. 

Now, the reaction of football, which literally kicks off today, to the performance of our competitors in the Olympic Games will be interesting to observe.   Our Olympians, along with those of other countries, have rekindled visions of a Corinthian age, when sport was played not for money but for the joy of it all, exemplified by graceful disappointment in defeat, respect for authority and for others taking part and genuine exuberance at winning, all of which has captured the imagination of the nation, for however long it may last.

Roy Hodgson seems to have bought in to all this post Olympic euphoria judging by the comments he made a few days ago when he declared that `the way athletes in Team GB conducted themselves at London 2012 and the atmosphere in which they performed, provided football, and other mainstream sports, with food for thought.`  I just wonder whether he had these noble sentiments in mind when he made it clear that he hoped John Terry would be `freed` by the Football Association so he could carry on playing for Hodgson`s England team.

Terry, found not guilty in a court of law of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand is, however, facing an FA charge after being caught on camera hurling a barrage of expletives and insults at his rival during the game against Queens Park Rangers.   It`s difficult to imagine Mo Farah, Jess Ennis, Laura Trott and their GB team mates ever being accused of bringing their own games into disrepute.

If Hodgson is serious about his `food for thought,` then maybe he should reconsider his support for the serially malcontent Terry.   That would be a good start.