New Times,
New Thinking.

  1. Politics
26 February 2010

Sport relief

Pictures of leaders demonstrating their sporting prowess.

By Henry Smith

It’s important for all of us to stay fit and healthy but it’s especially vital when you’re tasked with running a country. With all those decisions, discussions and meetings, it’s essential that our leaders take time to clear their heads, burn off some calories and occasionally tear a few muscles.

Here are examples of our leaders embarking on really strenuous exercise.

Earlier this month David Cameron was caught showing off his table tennis skills at a London primary school. He clearly didn’t do enough to impress the kids in the background.

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Perhaps an adviser must have mentioned that being a dab hand at table tennis was a requisite for high office.

Maybe it’s Labour protocol never to judge members by their sporting ability, but despite all his training with Kevin Keegan, Tony Blair could really do with some practice.

Similarly, Bush Sr lacked any semblance of technique. But he can be forgiven — at least he dressed the part.

Like father, like son. Bush Jr was once a managing partner of the Texas Rangers baseball team. Based on the evidence here, though, he can never have expected to play.

Unlike Hugo Chávez, Bush couldn’t display the levels of commitment, enthusiasm and perspiration necessary to succeed in professional baseball.

Have we missed any sporting titans from the political arena? Let us have your suggestions below.

All photographs from AFP/Getty Images.

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