Fun with Flags!

This episode of Sheldon Cooper's Fun with Flags comes to you (in spirit anyway) from Sopot, Poland.

A stash of flags is a crucial part of the perennial athletics fan's kit. The ideal capsule collection to see you through the seasons is as follows: Union Jack (large), Saltire (large), Union Jack (small, on a stick), Saltire (small, on a stick).

The large flags must be wide enough to allow you to stand, with arms at full stretch and room to clasp a corner firmly, and declare victory. I have arms like a gibbon, so I need extra large otherwise I look like I'm just sheltering from the rain.

The small flags on sticks are to wave politely in early heats as you juggle with start lists, stats books, tablets and Calippos. The large flags can also double as a sarong or turban, but they tend to be made of nylon and therefore do not wick away sweat. Not ideal at summer games. I prefer to use mine as a cape in these circumstances.

The seasonal accessories to the core flag collection are always fun. It's polite (and just good sense, as a visitor in town) to also have a flag that represents the host nation, whether that be Swedish for Gothenburg, German for Berlin etc. I have been lucky enough in my time to claim Carolina Kluft and Robert Harting as my own when Team GB tanked/spammed a baton change. Couldn't have done that without the locally procured flag. There's always a bloke outside the arena selling local flags, so take my advice and get yourself one alongside the Calippo.