We returned from Portugal to surprisingly beautiful weather
just in time for the start of the London Olympics. For months leading up to the
games the city of London launched a huge campaign to warn of the Olympic crowds
and to encourage locals to steer clear of the city center and to avoid public
transit. Their efforts may have worked too well because it seems like half the
city decided to escape London for vacation and many businesses reported a drop
in sales during the games. Where we live,
on the west side of the city (the games took place mostly on the east), I was
happy to enjoy quiet streets and peaceful commutes. The locals who did stay in
town really seemed to embrace the games and team GB, and the city was dressed to
the nines with union jack bunting along the streets and paraphnalia in all the
shop windows. All across the city there were volunteers in London 2012 uniforms
eager to help with directions or to point out the nearest loo.
Despite being unable to score tickets to many events we did
still get into the Olympic spirit beginning with the opening ceremony where we
caught the tail end of the flyover from our living room window.
Throughout the
games Hyde Park played host to free Olympic viewings for the public. They set
up several large screens which aired the live events from morning into the
night. In addition, there were stages with music performances, food stands,
bars, activities and appearances by the Olympians. I spent 2 afternoons in the
park which admittedly I used more as an opportunity to relish the sun, socialize
and soak in the atmosphere rather than to keep score in badminton, fencing and
ping pong.
Hyde Park
On our way to a Sunday market Rob and I found ourselves
detoured into the middle of the women’s marathon and decided to stay and cheer
them on despite the rain.
The Leading Ladies
Rob attended the men’s basketball semi-finals. He had great
seats and was impressed with the efficiency of Olympic security and the O2
arena. He also spotted sports writer Bill Simmons, which although it doesn’t
impress me, excited him.
Spain v. Russia
Rob was certainly more into the games than I was (I think he
not-so-secretly feels with the right training it could have been him out there
on the podium). And he became emotional
watching the montage of highlights aired before the closing ceremony. But for
us both it was a memorable experience to live in London and watch live as Jess
Ennis dominated the women’s heptathlon, Andy Murray upset Roger Federer, Bradley
Wiggins brought sideburns back, and Mo Farah won Britain’s first-ever gold
medal at men’s 10,000m. (Rob is over my shoulder insisting that I saw some of
these on repeat and not live but I write the posts and therefore my version
stands). At the end of the games Team GB took home the 3rd most gold
medals after USA and China and the 4th most overall medals –
impressive.
Tower Bridge with the Olympic Rings outside Rob's office.
So that’s my take on London 2012. How were the games
received in the rest of the world? I hear NBC royally screwed up.
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