London 2012

INSPIRE A GENERATION

This year, the Olympic Games came to London. After the negative publicity of the city recently due to the riots, the Olympics were a hope for Londoners to reconnect and for the place to find itself again. There was pressure on Great Britain to perform well in front of the home crowd but this seemed to do the athletes some good as they, undeniably, delivered.

To start the Games and set the tone for the following weeks, the Opening Ceremony was designed to depict the development of agriculture, industry and modern culture of Britain. At first, I found the opening scenes with the fields and farms a little underwhelming, but as the stage began to change, the grass being rolled away and the chimneys rising, I realized how much time and effort had gone into making this ceremony a spectacle, and I began to enjoy it.

The tribute to Great Ormond Street Hospital and J.K.Rowlings’ readings were charming, although the large hooded figure that rose up didn’t resemble Voldemort in the slightest. All the countries and their athletes arrived with strange copper petals, and it was a lovely surprise to see that they all formed the Olympic Cauldron, which was then lit by the torch that had travelled to London from Athens, the birthplace of the Games. The unique design and the flames were beautiful; it was an inspirational symbol of the unity and strength of the weeks to come.

This year was a year for records, Phelps becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time, Bolt cementing his position as worlds fastest man, and even the first year that female athletes from every country competed!

For me, the highlight of the Games was Usain Bolt. Bolt has an aura of confidence, if it was anyone else he would be too cocky, but, for the fastest man alive, you can see how that would go to your head. His ease of running, his trademark gestures before a race, the way he slows down in front of the finish line, all make him electric, and he’s pretty easy on they eyes too. You somehow find yourself wishing you were his best friend.

Michael Phelps comes in at a close second, when he walks up to the pool you know a legend is in the house, and he is simply amazing to watch in the water. It was such a historic moment to see him become the most decorated Olympian of all time, the ultimate champion of a Games that were started as chariot races in 776 BC as an honour to Zeus! However Ryan Lochte made a point this year, that he was on Phelps’ heels the whole time and, when Phelps retires, Lochte will be the swimmer to watch.

Of course, Team GB shone this year, with stars such as Sir Chris Hoy, Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis an unknown athlete who most refer to as ‘the ginger one’.

I will always remember Mo Farah’s double victory at 10,000 and 5,000 metre track, the camera flashes, the noise, the pure joy as Mo showed off his Mobot. I would have given my right arm to be in the stadium.

Coming third in the gold medals table is no small feat, especially for a small island up against giants like the USA, China and Russia. Being in London really was a confidence boost for the athletes. Personally, my favourite races were Bolt and Mo Farah, who were just sensational.

The Closing Ceremony brought an end to the sporting spectacle, and handed the Olympic flag over to Brazil.