Chelsea chief exec brings the right spirit of commerce to Olympic proceedings

Forget the farcical attempts to carry a lit torch successfully around Europe - which would have been more successfully accomplished by a gang of tramps with a matchbox - the Olympics are still supposed to bring the people of the world together through sport. Yes, China is proving to be a controversial venue, massive political hurdles are involved, but that’s the nature of any global event nowadays - even Eurovision. All of which makes it ever more depressing to see Chelsea chief exec Peter Kenyon somehow getting involved in proceedings, puffing along with the famous torch, looking for all the world like a man half-heartedly fulfilling a business commitment.

Sporting greats Steve Redgrave, Paula Radcliffe, and Denise Lewis proudly took it upon themselves to be the people’s heroes, carrying the torch for Great Britain, then up popped Peter, like a bailiff at a birthday party. Might it all have something to do with the Chelsea sponsors Samsung also sponsoring the Olympics? And is there anything this man wouldn’t do for “business”? Wouldn’t it have been a better idea to have a Chelsea player undertake this humble task? And if it was too much of a distraction as they prepare for their European game, how about an old Chelsea player? Someone recognisable?

Last time we looked the Olympic motto was “Swifter, Higher, Stronger.” Has it been changed to “Samsung, Kenyon, Chelsea”?