Category Archives: Sport

The Grand National’s unhelpful measurements

Posted on 2013-04-13 by ronniec

The race has been run. Pictures and commentary have been broadcast around the world, and millions will have formed an impression of Britain in 2013. Ronnie Cohen asks if more could have been made of this opportunity to publicise UK … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Sport, Views from abroad | Tagged horse racing, imperial measures, The Grand National | 13 Comments

A UK metric time line from 1980

Posted on 2013-02-01 by derekp

In June last year, we published a time line up to 1980 showing progress towards the adoption of a single, simple, logical and coherent measurement system in the British Isles. We now bring this story up to date.

Posted in Consumer affairs, Education, General, Health, History, Law, Road signs, Science, Sport, Technical | Tagged Britain, imperial, metric, metrication, time line, UK | 7 Comments

London 2012 – winners and losers

Posted on 2012-08-12 by derekp

As the Games draw to a close, we take a look at some of the winners and losers.

Posted in Education, General, Road signs, Sport, Transport, Views from abroad | Tagged Department for Transport, inspire a generation, London 2012, metric, metric road signs, Olympic Games | 15 Comments

UK metric myths tumble during the Games

Posted on 2012-08-08 by derekp

Metric Views revisits some of the myths around the metric system, and asks readers to suggest how many of these might have lost credibility as a result of the welcome given in the UK to the Olympic Games of 2012.

Posted in Education, General, Myths, Sport | Tagged metric, myths | 21 Comments

The Olympics – a showcase, but not just for the UK

Posted on 2012-07-27 by derekp

Thursday 26 July, the eve of the opening of the Games, was a busy day for the Prime Minister as he focused on the benefits the Olympics will bring to the UK.

Posted in General, Sport, Views from abroad, World Records | Tagged David Cameron, Department for Transport, London2012, metric, metrication, Olympics | 30 Comments

Understanding body weight and height in metric units

Posted on 2012-05-11 by ronniec

It was inevitable that the selection of London to host the Olympic Games would bring into focus some of the consequences of the UK’s measurement muddle. Metric Views looks at one aspect, the measurement of body height and weight, measured … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, General, Health, Sport, World Records | Tagged baby, BMI, Body Mass Index, height, man, metric, records, shortest, tallest, weight, world | 17 Comments

Marathon myth

Posted on 2012-04-22 by tonyw

With the London Marathon being run today, it is timely to remember the metric origins of the marathon, and to puncture the myth that it is a race measured in imperial units.

Posted in General, History, Myths, Sport | Tagged imperial measures, measurement units, metric | 11 Comments

Does the failure of the English World Cup bid have any lessons for supporters of completing metrication?

Posted on 2010-12-07 by Erithacus

What on earth has the football World Cup got to do with metrication? Nothing, you might say…but…on reflection, is there a connection?

Posted in General, Sport | Tagged FIFA, World Cup | 28 Comments

Virgin London Marathon 2010

Posted on 2009-11-19 by derekp

Martin Vlietstra, a frequent contributor to MetricViews, passes on some misgivings about on the 2010 London Marathon.

Posted in Health, Sport | 7 Comments

A 21st Century Approach to UK Peaks

Posted on 2009-05-22 by Roddy Urquhart

Walking has never been so attractive. It’s cheap, it keeps you fit and it gets you away from the crowds. Yesterday’s launching of a new interactive website on Ben Nevis draws together for the first time a UK-wide peak challenge … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Health, Mountains, Sport | Tagged hillwalking, peaks, prominence, prominent, website | Leave a comment