In all the Olympic euphoria, let us not overlook one record nearly broken elsewhere. When Martin Bloomberg of Ilford defeated Tim Lawrence of Hastings at Scrabble by 588 points to 538, the combined total of 1,126 was believed to be the second highest under Association of British Scrabble Players rules.

Mr Bloomberg, who is 81 and only took up the game in his 50s, tells me a decent score between two good players is around 800.

The highest score of 1,149 was set four years ago in a contest in Israel between two Jewish players, when Paloma Raychbart beat Elie Dangoor by 711 to 438.