Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Hello, Elle!
It's a lovely morning here.
Was chilly earlier, though.
We'll see what happens with the house offer.
They have other houses in mind, too.
It was all very predictable what is happening in Doha.
I would love to see some of the more prominent countries, like the US, say, pull out of the marathon and race walking, and state the reasons why.
Tell the organisers they can keep their tainted championships.
Somewhere, Elle, there will be folk with their pockets full of Qatari money, who chose Doha, in place of far more sensible cities bidding to host the championships.
Oppressive dangerous heat, empty grandstands, the powers that be have a lot to answer for!
The puzzle is online, Elle.
Maybe John forgot to send it?

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, I agree. I was only remarking yesterday on how few spectators there were.
Such a pity as the stadium looks superb.
But then there will have been no shortage of money involved in building it.
The problem is that for so very many athletes , this event will be the culmination of a lot of preparation and hard work...and to see it go by default because of the heat......and go unsupported by the lack of spectators .....is terribly sad and disheartening.
Perhaps the competitors should stage a revolt......
Now, the Athletics Weekly timetable......
I have just been having a closer look at it.
Checking it out against the less detailed one in my TV guide,
it would appear that the times given are those in Doha...who are two hours ahead of us.
Bear this in mind if planning to switch on the TV just for a specific event.
I don't know what has happened with John's crosswords.
He hasn't forgotten, as the email with the screen shot arrived as usual...but instead of four puzzles, there is only the one.
A mystery!
There must be a glitch in the system somewhere....

Hello, Elle!
What is happening in Doha was predicted from the word go.
The football World Cup is going there, too.
The woman's marathon set off at midnight, Doha time.
Midnight!
I'm afraid I'm losing interest in Doha already, other than to be concerned about the safety and well-being of the competitors, and it's obvious that the locals aren't interested in the athletics either.
Yes, I'd love to see the competitors tell the organisers what to do with their championships.
I have just the read The Times sports section, and do you know how much coverage they have given the cycling World Championships at Yorkshire?
Nothing!
Not one single word!
We are a Cinderella sport, indeed, in this country!

Good afternoon, Rusty!
I heard tell that the reason given for the late hour of the Marathon was because it would be "cooler", if the race were run at that time.
It follows the logic put forward for the athletics' programme of events only starting in the later afternoon.....
I understand your embittered reaction when you say you are losing interest......but I am mainly sadly disappointed, as I have been looking forward to this so much!
Athletics and tennis are my main Sports interests.....
And the World Championships is a 'pinnacle'!
It seems odd, though, that there s no coverage of the cycling at Yorkshire?
Usually Cycling seems to get plenty of publicity...
Is this reaction just from The Times?
Out of interest, did you check out other papers online?
I am just popping out with the dog, before the first coverage starts at 2.15pm our time.
Dina Asher- Smith will be taking part in the 100m heats, soon.
Enjoy the cycling...... and the Athletics , too, if you can bear to look in.......stay calm...…!

Hi elle
The cycling is being covered on BBC2, and starts soon on Eurosport

Hello, Elle!
Doha is a stupid place for sports no matter how they dress it up by making out they are thinking of the athletes by starting races at midnight.
And I resent being called "embittered".
I am certainly not.
I am calling the Doha carry-on the way any sensible person would.
It is an exercise in idiocy.

Hi, Rusty!
I am still here...
I haven't gone for a quick walk with the dog, after all, as my husband has taken her into the garden....
This exercise will suffice for once!
Lordy, I'm sorry.....I think we might be rather at cross purposes ....
I did not mean to upset/ offend you.....I did not consider that I had said anything amiss?
Used in that contest, "embittered" to me simply meant feeling resentful of the circumstances......
And you are cross and annoyed, aren't you?
I know that I certainly am!
Friends?
Do I need to "throw my hat into the room"?



Sorry, Chris...!
I was replying to Rusty 's saying that there was no newspaper coverage of the cycling in today's Sports section of The Times!

Hi, Rusty!
Oh, there was such a heart-warming moment in the Men's 400m Hurdles.
The British competitor Chris McAlister had his parents in the stadium supporting him.
It was great to watch!
Both were shouting encouragement....... and his mum was jumping up and down, with excitement , quite beside herself.
They were interviewed both before and after the race...... and were so proud of their son - who came fifth and got another new PB - that it did my heart good!
A lovely moment in the day!

Hello, Elle!
It is a lovely afternoon here.
I was out for a wee walk.
Was a fine day in Yorkshire for the cycling.
A win for Annemiek van Vleuten.

Hi, Rusty!
That is good that you fit in a walk, in between watching the cycling.
I feel that I failed the dog this afternoon........but she did enjoy her playtime in the garden!
Well done, Annemiek van Vleuten.
I do not recognise her name?
How did Lizzie Armitstead get on?
I am afraid that I do not know her married name.....
So who is on BGT tonight?