I have heard English football fans say this with respect to the World cup and Euros but what does he mean exactly? Did running originate in Britain?
Wightman's father, Geoff, is the stadium announcer in Eugene and was able to call his son's victory.
"Running is coming home. Wow. That is my son and he is the world champion," he told the Hayward Field crowd.
I hope it was a joke against the English football fans because, um, Greece...the Ancient Olympics...the 1896 Olympics. If running was coming home, it would be back to Greece. But he probably wasn't joking because the English colonial mindset and somehow thinking they are the center of the athletics world?
It's a reference to this song, which, I suppose, is the unofficial song of the English football team. It's just a joke, not particularly funny I guess. Everyone over here would get it.
English football / baddiell and skinner song reference. Originally from when England hosted the Euros (football is coming home) but has now evolved to - Getting the win = it's coming home.
The job of talking heads like announcers and commentators is basically to fill otherwise dead air with unthinking, semi-relevant blather. Probably best not to look that deeply at any single thing said.
The Brits started keeping records on the mile in the mid 19th century, while the rest of the world didn't start until the 1890s (for the 1500 meters, not the mile). So yeah, I would say that Wightman's dad is correct, that England invented modern competitive racing, at least in terms of keeping records.
Temp Oh wrote:
It's a reference to this song, which, I suppose, is the unofficial song of the English football team. It's just a joke, not particularly funny I guess. Everyone over here would get it.
If they keep playing this song 24/7 during football season like “Santa Claus is coming to town” starting Halloween on, I’ll just have to resort to some type of murder suicide.
Like most British humor, there are about 4 levels of irony involved, and you need to know all the history. Even if someone successfully explains it, it will require so much background that it will not be remotely funny by the time you get it.
Sounds racist. (that's a joke too moran)
Temp Oh wrote:
Yes, I understand the reference when it comes to football and know about the song (Lightning Seeds named from a misheard Prince lyric by the way) but I am confused about the running context.
Maybe this as JohnR posted:
The Brits started keeping records on the mile in the mid 19th century, while the rest of the world didn't start until the 1890s (for the 1500 meters, not the mile). So yeah, I would say that Wightman's dad is correct, that England invented modern competitive racing, at least in terms of keeping records.
Is GW the IAAF announcer? How does a Briton end up being the announcer at a USA meet?
It's a strange thing for him to say because Jake Wightman represents Scotland and it's a reference to an English football song
(football came home in 1996 when England hosted the Euros)
Durban wrote:
It's a strange thing for him to say because Jake Wightman represents Scotland and it's a reference to an English football song
(football came home in 1996 when England hosted the Euros)
Meanwhile, he was born in Nottingham and his dad represented England as a runner. Can't stand these turn coats simply looking for an easy path to a medal!
Jake grew up in Edinburgh
800 dude wrote:
Like most British humor
HumoUr. Please, show some respect for the world champion and his language. *breaks out into rousing rendition of god save the queen*
sub sub elite local hobby jogger wrote:
I hope it was a joke against the English football fans because, um, Greece...the Ancient Olympics...the 1896 Olympics. If running was coming home, it would be back to Greece. But he probably wasn't joking because the English colonial mindset and somehow thinking they are the center of the athletics world?
The first football World Cup didn't even include England, but 'football is coming home' is sung because we invented the sport. We didn't invent running, but we turned it into a proper sport with record keeping and standardized distances long before the first modern Olympics. This is why the mile is still run.
I think somebody is a bit salty that the British are dominating middle distance running again.
