This just posted on the BBC live text feed: "As ever with the Olympics, there have been amazing human stories interweaved with the sport over the past 16 days. One of London 2012's most profound reaches its conclusion today. South Sudan's Guor Marial, who lost 28 relatives during the country's conflict with Sudan, will run in the men's marathon at 1100 BST. With South Sudan yet to join the Olympic movement, the United States where Marial lives yet to award him citizenship, and Marial unwilling to run under Sudan's flag, he is one of four athletes in the Games to compete as an independent athlete. He has said he is "representing the whole world" when he takes to London's streets this morning." Best of luck to him
If he wins can we claim that gold medal as well then? Joking apart, best of luck to him - some people take sport way too seriously sometimes and this puts it all into perspective.
The true meaning of sport, and the Olympic way, is in this story. I hope he relishes every step of the way and the thousands of people who will line the streets give the bloke something to remember his run by... A real feel good story that...
Usain Bolt, the human headline, has made tentative moves to play cricket for Shane Warne's Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash. In an interview, he said he's looking to get a deal done. Seems he was a quick when young. He'd pact the grandstands if he played and opened the bowling.
Texted to BBC: "Most impressive thing for me was the superb customer service, whether in the park, on the tube everywhere. Gold medal for everyone. Just hope that attitude can be kept in everyday life. That could be the real legacy." Wouldn't that be a great legacy for the games? An intuitive sense of being helpful, supportive, thinking of others, helping your fellow beings? Probably too much to hope for as our TV screens will soon be filled with overpaid footballers and the sordid "reality TV" that clogs the screens day-in, day-out. But if, just if, people remember the dedication, workrate, discipline and courage of these fine athletes and take a small part of that into their daily lives, then maybe, just maybe, the world will become a better place. Well done GB on hosting a stunning Olympics, well done Team GB for all those medals, and most of all well done the British public for making the atmosphere
Well I've finished my shifts and am now suffering from GMD (Gamesmaker Depression). Was very close to tears at the check out desk when the GM there asked how it had been. It has been the most amazing experience and I've made some wonderful friends. Early this afternoon I went to the volleyball final between Russia and Brazil. The atmosphere was insane, the noise incredible and the fans inbelievable. I had to leave at the end of the third set to get to my last shift. Another gold in the boxing (bet you thought I'd forgotten that) This evening I'm off to watch the closing ceremony with some friends in south London.
Sit back and enjoy the closing ceremony guys. I have never been so proud to be British and its a shame this feeling won't last forever. But please, please take out all of these positives and use them in life- that is our legacy. Well done London 2012.
QUOTE=OddDog;3280908]Texted to BBC: "Most impressive thing for me was the superb customer service, whether in the park, on the tube everywhere. Gold medal for everyone. Just hope that attitude can be kept in everyday life. That could be the real legacy." Wouldn't that be a great legacy for the games? An intuitive sense of being helpful, supportive, thinking of others, helping your fellow beings? Probably too much to hope for as our TV screens will soon be filled with overpaid footballers and the sordid "reality TV" that clogs the screens day-in, day-out. But if, just if, people remember the dedication, workrate, discipline and courage of these fine athletes and take a small part of that into their daily lives, then maybe, just maybe, the world will become a better place. Well done GB on hosting a stunning Olympics, well done Team GB for all those medals, and most of all well done the British public for making the atmosphere [/QUOTE] Oddy, well said! [
Tamerlo, well said! [[/QUOTE] I don't know how many other posters live in London but I must say I have been dumbstruck over the last fortnight. I was worried it would all go pear shaped but it has been bloody awesome. I did not get tickets for the big events but took my nephews to Wembley to see their first football match, went to watch the torch with my little nieces and saw some volleyball (the normal kind not the dirty mac variety!). When I was a 10 year old boy I went mad when Seb Coe got his 1500 metre gold medal - in my opinion the argument about Britain's greatest Olympian should stop now - Seb's delivered dreams we could not have imagined in 1980. Quote of the whole event goes to my 6 year old niece "Uncle Dan I love watching Team GB win medals but I just cannot wait for Ussain - I love him". I am sure the Grandparents, parents and aunts and uncles on here have similar tales - it's wonderful. Bring on the paralympics. Oh and on a bitter and twisted notee -get knotted Mr Blatter - we've shown you what you could have had in 2020. Enjoy a semi final in Vladikavkaz
Hear hear. Viewed the closing ceremony with a new friend. On the way back to digs on the tube a complete stranger and I got chatting, before the Games I doubt that would have happened.
Well that's it folks, the games are done and dusted. A truly wonderful event, hosted in first class fashion by not just London, but GB in general. I've really enjoyed the spectacle and can't wait for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014. I'd like to thank all who've contributed to the thread, it was almost as much fun as the games themselves.
Cyclonic, I echo that! Some wonderful memories and beautiful venues- especially the sailing and rowing locations. I'll always remember the marathon runners going through the arcade of gorgeous Leadenhall Market-a place I have never seen or visited. From the athletics alone, who can ever forget Bolt, Rudisha, and Farah? What fantastic performances! And I have to give a special mention to Sanchez in the 400 metres hurdles. What a memory to regain that title at 34 years of age- and run the same time as he had done when winning 8 years previously! So many others but I wouldn't know where to start!
Fond memories for me too, spent early years of my life by Kingston-on-Thames and the Borough area of London. Born just a mile or so from Hampton Court Palace, and to see those cyclists leaving the palace, turning left, and left again over the bridge, then up towards Richmond Park with cheering crowds all the way was something else for me. Their rapid arrival in Richmond Park still boggles the mind. Well done Cyc for putting the thread up; great fun and, again, loads of memories.
As a post script I note that 2 Australian newspapers this morning proclaimed London 2012 as the best games ever. Coming from the country who brought us Sydney 2000 I cannot think of any higher praise.
Wow, take a look at this, especially that first picture: http://www.smh.com.au/olympics/athl...ill-on-the-grandest-stage-20120812-242au.html
I can only echo what has already been said towards the running and level of competition that we have just witness over these past 2 weeks or so. Simply put, just bloody awesome...!!! Congratulations all round... Just as a side thing, and something that was brought up yesterday with my friends. Just after the Tour De France finished Bradley Wiggins was almost a certainty to be crowned Sports Personality of the Year 2012. He then won gold for his Time Trail and i would imagine his odds at those bookie chaps had gone even lower. But i ask you this, who would get your vote after all what we have seen? I can tell you the folks in my local yesterday came up with about 5-8 names, each with a great story and reason win this award... Wiggins, Ennis, Farah, Hoy, Ainslie, Pendleton these are to name but a few contenders... In the past we have had people who really havnt done much in getting this award, and maybe the appetite for awarding this honour has diminished as such. But after the last 2 weeks we have had i feel the public is back in love with the sporting world and hopefully this will rub off to the athletes that were not on show at this sporting spectacle... So who would you want to win the public's award in recognition of this years sporting efforts...? Overall Winner - Wiggins, but again im torn between him, Mo and Jessica Ennis... It is so hard to pick just one...!!! Overseas Winner - This will probably go to Usain Bolt by a landslide margin but i would pick, in what for me was the greatest race ive seen before. And probably ever will... One David Lekuta Rudisha... The mens 800m final was something to behold... Michael Phelps should also get a mention... Team Of The Year - The Womens Team Pursuit in the cycling... The trio of Dani King, Joanna Roswell and the ever smiling Laura Trott. These girls cycled four times in this event and broke the World Record each and every time they ran. The final was as one sided as it could be finishing a whopping 5 seconds in front of Team USA... I know that there are other categories but its hard enough picking winners for the three ive mentioned... Good luck picking them...
The overall winner will be a difficult one to pick. I have a feeling that it won't be a cyclist as you now have 4 who could be voted fro by the public (wiggins, Hoy, Pendleton and the absolutely adorable Laura Trott) so the vote may split. Same with Farah and Ennis for athletics I think the person who has had the best Olympics in terms of improving personal image has been Andy Murray. I don't think anyone could have predicted that not only would he have wiped out his opposition but also that he would be gleefully draping himself in a Union flag and singing God save the Queen. If he has a good US open...........
