Improlympics - the final league table

We have received some comments to the effect that we haven't really given any account of the outcome of the Improlympics, and I feel that in the name of wrapping things up before we leave Edinburgh (as we intend to do this very afternoon) I should clarify what happened.

In short: Australia (the Improzacs, led by pirate-lover Andrew McClelland) won the event, followed by the Scottish team (the Improverts). The Uncertainty Division, representing England, took an early lead. Then lost it. And indeed lost the contest overall.

There are various ways of looking at this. Some people would suggest that to organise a competitive improvisation event and then lose it shows a degree of carelessness. I would turn this argument around to suggest that any foreign improvisation group invited to take part in such an event, even if they are on their own soil, is actually rather rude not to let the organisers of the event win.

I wouldn't blame the other improvisation groups so much as the judges, who should have realised what a faux pas they were making.

Equally, though, there was a dramatic sense of rightness in Australia winning, possessing as they did a flag depicting a skull and crossbones, which flapped over our event as if the whole thing had indeed been hijacked by pirates.

Furthermore, it is a very English thing to lose, and we did it with great panache.

And to look at it all in a more positive light, the Uncertainty Division did win bronze, and it should also be noted that Britain walked off with two thirds of the medals.

Finally, I would point out that the final clinching event which lost us the competition was the 100 metre sprint, so if any one member of the Uncertainty Division can be blamed for the disappointing result, it is Mr Philip Stott for running like a girl.