ALF Tupper would have loved this programme. A show about athletics – sponsored by a company that makes chips. Brilliant.
Of course, Tupper was only a comic-book character, but his tales were presented as realism, and for a couple of generations of British kids he was the craggy face of track and field. These days it no longer seems plausible that a man might become a c
hampion athlete while consuming a fish supper before every race.
Consuming potato-related products – as part of a balanced, healthy diet, needless to say – is another matter. Which is where McCain's comes in. The food company sponsors not only this programme, but also other athletics ventures throughout Britain, and has put considerable resources into the promotion of the sport.
In common with other strands of McCain's investment, the Track & Field Show is aimed at a young audience, who are encouraged to take their enthusiasm for athletics beyond an interest in watching the odd Usain Bolt race and into active participation.
The series, which ended for the year yesterday, highlighted some of the most promising young athletes in the country, but it focused just as much on those with no previous experience. The main strand to do so ran the length of the series, and showed former 400-metre runner Iwan Thomas trying to piece together a winning relay squad from scratch.
The boys selected had some obvious athletic ability, needless to say, but none had taken part in the sport competitively.
The message to viewers was clear: if they can do it, so can you.
The boys from Southampton did not win their race against some of the most talented teams in the country, trailing in towards the back of the field after a dropped baton on the final changeover. But they were in second place for a time, and demonstrated how much improvement can be made relatively quickly.
Thomas came across as an ideal motivator, as did the presenter, Rick Edwards. His approach was more akin to that of someone compering a music programme than the somewhat studious manner normally associated with sports presenters, and the kids he interviewed seemed to warm to him.
Some, such as world youth heptathlon champion Katerina Thompson, are already used to being the focus of attention. To others, it was a novelty – one which in some cases may not be experienced again.
Lauren Bugler from Preston came into the latter category. Hers was the most interesting story in this episode by far, and one which merited a lot more time than was given to it here.
The normal human heart has a bio-electric regulator that controls the pulse rate. Lauren has two – and when the second one kicks in, it sends her pulse racing up to 300 beats per minute. Unfortunately, it has a habit of doing so at moments of stress such as during races, and in such cases she has been told she has no option but to pull out for her own sake.
An 800m runner, she began her race all right, which was a relief, as the start had been proving particularly problematic. Just as she was getting into her stride and lying comfortably in third place, however, it happened again, and she had to jog off the track.
The condition has to be one of the most frustrating things in the world to afflict a young sportswoman with the talent to reach her national age-group finals. As it seems to be getting worse, she could end up just sitting on the couch watching others compete when she would love to be out there herself.
On second thoughts, perhaps it was better that, on this occasion at least, she got no more than a couple of minutes of screen time. The scriptwriters could have rammed home the message about her bravery until viewers were left in no doubt that they were being hectored into getting out there and making the most of whatever talent they have. Instead, letting the girl speak calmly for herself was far more subtle, and probably more effective too.
The Track & Field Show is not groundbreaking television, and does not attract record-breaking audiences. It did, however, help attract 60,000 11-16-year-olds to compete in relay teams across the UK this summer. And it did refer viewers to a website, which in turn gives them heaps of information about athletics, including details of clubs they can join.
The involvement of the sponsors, is obviously not motivated purely by altruism, but it is a coherent, well-thought-out attempt to promote the sport. The series is expected to return next year.
• More information: www.mccaintrackandfield.co.uk.
