If you were anywhere in Great Britain yesterday you probably heard that Bradley Wiggins won his country's their first gold medal for the 2012 Olympics. Wiggins, who won the Tour de France only weeks ago, took gold in cycling making him Britain’s most decorated Olympian thus far.
Another unrelated event from yesterday was the tragic death of a civilian cyclist near Olympic Park. The 28-year old biker, currently unidentified, was hit by a bus transporting journalists between Olympic venues.
While Wiggins’ victory has received massive media coverage (which is to be expected), the death of the cyclist was not covered until page 8 in one daily paper. Though biking casualties are nothing new, especially in busy cities like London, it raises the question of our priorities during Olympics.
Since London is the host city, excessive Olympic coverage is anticipated, but is there a disconnect when we open the paper and read page after page of “GB Finally Wins Gold” and only a short column on the death of a human being?
In retrospect, once the Games are over, most people will probably not remember what day Wiggins won or even Great Britain’s final medal count, but the family and friends of this unknown cyclists will never forget that day.
Do you think the Olympic frenzy is shifting our priorities?
Leave your opinions in the comments below.