Ghost of a flea: London Olympics

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July 06, 2005

London Olympics

As someone planning to invest in London real-estate, news of the forthcoming London Olympics sent a shudder through me. Still, if it is two fingers for the French President then no expense should be spared (good for Wales too, apparently).

Asked why he had said at the weekend that Britain produced the worst food after Finland, and therefore did not merit trust as a nation, the Gallic humour that had led him into diplomatic hot water suddenly deserted him.

Looking uncomfortable and desperate to escape the cameras, the normally dignified Mr Chirac rushed inside, refusing to answer light-hearted questions about whether he liked British roast beef and avoiding invitations to expand on his views about English cuisine.

Though why Tony Parker should blame "Anglo-Saxon" bias I cannot imagine. Two Finnish judges and French rudeness seem more probable.

The EUobserver has Jacques Chirac's remarks for any who may have missed them.

Mr Chirac's remarks on the quality of food, overheard at last weekend's meeting with Moscow and Berlin in Kaliningrad, have a sparked a lively debate in the Uk and Finland.

"One cannot trust people whose cuisine is so bad", French daily Le Monde quoted him as saying in hushed tones to the laughing German and Russian leaders.

"The only thing they (the Brits) have ever done for European agriculture is mad cow disease", added Mr Chirac. "After Finland, it is the country with the worst food".

Posted by Ghost of a flea at July 6, 2005 08:57 AM

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Comments

I am a Londoner and a property owner and I am not happy. Trust the bloody French to screw things up...what is it with them and not winning?

Posted by: Andrew Ian Dodge at July 6, 2005 11:41 AM