We are the Champions

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS
Made by: BBC?
Shown on: BBC1
Years shown: 1973-95

Over half the kids at school hate sports day. It’s invariably cold, likely to be raining, you have to wear the kind of brief clothes you wouldn’t even wear on a tropical holiday, and you are compelled to partake in a variety of gruelling sporting events, most of which you are no good at and have no interest in. Oh, and the teachers all wear track-suits and swig from mugs of warming tea.

So why was We Are The Champions so popular, then? All it was, was a televised sports day, hosted by BBC athletics commentator, Ron Pickering. Basically, teams of children would compete in outdoor relay races, usually involving beanbags, cargo nets, eggs, tennis balls, or all of the above. But the bit that everyone loved, and wished they could take part in, was the swimming pool finale. “Away you go!” Ron would shout, and the kids would plunge into the pool and grapple with numerous floats and inflatables, collect rubber rings, and try to doggy-paddle to victory. Actually, nobody cared who won - they were just waiting for the bit at the end, where everyone (the teams, the supporters; everyone except Ron Pickering, really) bombed into the water, and proceeded to do everything those signs at public swimming baths always expressly tell you not to do.

When Ron Pickering suddenly died, the role of PE teacher was taken over by Gary Lineker, who was obviously waiting for a more serious, meaty sports role with the BBC.

SQUARE EYES RATING: 6/10

(Thanks to www.tvradiobits.co.uk for the borrowed pic)