All the discussion about how sports are being ruined by betting reminds me of PG Wodehouse's story "The Purity of the Turf" in The Inimitable Jeeves. Bertie, Bingo Little, and Jeeves form a syndicate to bet on events at a school fair, including the Girl's Egg-and-Spoon race, the Mother's Sack Rack, and the Choir Boys' 100-Yard Run based on insider information. When a competing bettor starts interfering with the contestants, they counter-interfere.
In that case," he said, "those bets, you know – I'm afraid you lose your money, dear old boy. It's a pity you didn't put it on S.P. I always think S.P.'s the only safe way."
I gave him one look. Not a bit of good, of course.
"And they talk about the Purity of the Turf!" I said. And I meant it to sting, by Jove!
No comments:
Post a Comment