I wonder whether his earlier victory also added to his belief and resolve. Must admit I was cheering myself horse at the finish.
This Olympics really took me by surprise. I never follow athletics and have tended to avoid previous Olympics as the sports rarely interest me. I think that the amount of hype and continued build-up for about 12 months beforehand only served to add to my apathy. I liked the opening ceremony but stopped watching as soon as the pop acts started to perform and this prompted me to feel rather cynical about the whole affair. All in all, I was pretty non-plussed about it all. However, on the first day of competition I caught some of the rowing events on the big screen outside Winchester cathedral and it was pretty evident that something pretty special was underway. Initially, I just watched the GB football matches and would have to say that the men's football team was the one event where the sport had failed to appreciate the spirit with which the nation had embraced these Olympics. Gradually you get more and more hooked until you find yourself totally engrossed in the events. Within a matter of days, these games had become extremely exciting and had some terrific stories too. I would have to say though that the thing I have found to be the most compelling aspect of the games is the sporting behaviour and camaraderie of the competitors. There is a genuine respect and sometimes affection for the competitors. The winners have praised their competitors and the losers have lost with good grace. Post-event interviews have revelaed athletes to adhere to almost Corninthian ideals. I really regret watching the football instead of seeing Jessica Ennis who along with Mo Farrar, Bradley Wiggins and a whole host of others who have really done GB proud. There have been other athletes from GB too who are stars in their own disciplines yet have been new to me and have made me proud of the good grace with which they have acquitted themselves. Names like Christine Ohuruogu and Nicola Adams bring to mind here. Sportspeople like these truly make you feel proud of your country and I applaud their endeavours. Of course, I don't think the praise should be limited to "Team GB." The Kenyan athlete who quietly and unassumingly won one of the long distance events was incredible and had me captivated by my TV. For me, the stars have been Usain Bolt and his mate Yohan Blake who seemed to be taking sprinting to a new level . Bolt has to be the coolest man on the planet and yet he still has time for all the fans who came to watch him perform. The Jamaicans were quick to praise the universities and the city of Birmingham where they trained which I thought was a really nice touch. Bolt seems a genuinely nice bloke and with a good sense of humour - amazed at him quipping jokes with the gitl steward seconds before the 200m race! I would also have to say that the American girl sprinters were impressive. As a football fan, I feel that these Olympics have been a salutory lesson. For one, these sportsmen have been "sporting" in a fashion that shames most footballers. (Thinking of the likes of Mr Rooney.) The other impression is a nationalistic one. Although I support England, the idea of "Great Britain" has always been one that has left me feeling uncomfortable about our nation's role in the past has achieved and whilst we have achieved "great" things as a nation with regard to technology, exploration, the development of demoncracy and the arts , I feel that it has far more to be ashamed about, especially on the international stage where events as recent as Afgahanistan and Iraq demonstrate how we continue to get things spectacularly and often criminally wrong. I am all for NI, Scotland and Wales being given independence too and think that the notion of a United Kingdom headed by an unelected head of state is well past it's sell by date. That said, I feel that the "British public" have embraced these games in their true and proper spirit and this reflects extremely well on the UK. It is enough to make you revise your opinion of what this country represents and it has made me feel proud of our country for the first time in a number of years. These Olympics have shown a degree of humanity and "correctness" which shames the politicians of all political divides. These Olympics have revealed Britain at it's best and I feel that (a few acceptions aside such as the issues with the badmington) the competitors have reciprocated and responded in a fashion that can only be good for human kind. In conclusion, I've gone from being a total sceptic to someone who has enjoyed the experience of being the olympic host, regrets that he didn't buy a ticket for any of the events (all gone by last weekend) and appreciates just how poorly my favourite sport of football reflects against the 2012 games. Football should hold it's head in shame and learn a lesson from these Olympics. I'm sad that it has now all ended.
I feel that in it's own way, the 1948 London Olympics must have been pretty special. No more war and the, "can do" spirit made a games possible from a paucity of resources. Compare the opening ceremonies. In 1948 a Richard Wattis lookalike let a big load of doves out of their coops and some boy scouts from Muswell Hill 4ths, probably did a display of knot tying or something. 2012 was about as far away from that as you could probably go, but each games had one thing in common. The Olympic Spirit in all it's splendour.
My moment of the Games which embodies what the Olympic spirit is all about, was the moment that Sarah Attar, the first Saudi Arabian in track and field ran in a half a lap behind the rest of the field in the Women's 800m heat to a standing ovation from 80,000 people. This moment made me more proud to be British than any of the medals we won and hopefully it will help towards the empowerment of women in her home country. My personal favourite Gold medal for GB was Andy Murray's, but that is because i'm a huge tennis fan, but it was refreshing to see how much it meant to him to win a medal for his country without financial gain and hopefully will help him in his future endeavours to win a Grand Slam.
I have watched a few Olympic games and for me this has been the best ever. Yes I may be alot more them a little biased, but the athletes have all out done themselves. The amount of medals we have got is crazy. The best part of the games for me were the crowd were the crowds. Spine tingling some times, showing so much passion not only for GB but for every athlete. They have been so loud sometimes I couldn''t even hear the commentators speak. The way the British public have taken to the games is amazing, so much passion. I'm just glad I was around to witness this amazing event.
Anyone watching the Closing Ceremony? I thought they said there would be rappers, turns out a load of vehicles in wrappers!
I wonder if Jack Cork will be in the arena? See http://twitter.com/jackcork1/status/234589570874896384/photo/1
The best I've witnessed. Proud to be team GB. Hope this kick starts a feel good factor for the UK, that seems to have been missing over the last few years. Well done to all the people who took part & helped make the games a success. (& you our Jack)
It is ridiculous how some countries treat women. Even if they think of women as unequal they might as well let them compete because they could do well for their country.
Maybe a few people in a few of these countries are rethinking some stuff right now. No doubt a lot of people in Uganda watched one of their men receive a gold medal just now, followed by a performance from George Michael who would be arrested and severely beaten in their country for being gay.
Best of British music ... oh yes, let's offer the Spice Girls & OneDirection Is this seriously the best of British music? Don't get me wrong, it's been a spectacle but those two, just no
Ok, you got me there. I was really thinking more about the Olympics but it all shows we, as a nation, can put on a bloody good spectacle no matter the reason. I am in the 'don't give a **** camp' about the Monarchy but Britain can put on a good show.
