MADRID MARATHON AND LANGUAGES

On Sunday, April 23, 35,000 runners took to the streets of Madrid on a beautiful spring day. Being clever of sorts, I watched the event on tv which allows one to follow the runners and watch splendid views of the capital of Spain, from many different angles. The winner was a runner from the Congo, Geoffrey Kosuro, as expected. When he crossed the finish line, a youthful reporter jumped in to "interview" the champion. He started with a winning question: "You like Madrid?" not considering that the sportsman, a professional, had not come to Madrid to visit., but to run and make money. Then Mr. Kosuro mumbled some sounds in what was meant to be English but which sounded like Bambara or Swahili. The reporter was insistent and asked: "You come to Madrid nest (he did say nest) year?" Then the Champ answered in this gibberish not even his mother would understand and to which the youthful reporter thanked profusely. I was nonplussed but said nothing, even to myself. Whose fault is it? Not the reporter´s or Mr. Kosuru´s fault but their English teachers, damn them!