[Archived] Olympics 2012

[Beta Ray Bill]

Beta, congratulations on Team GB to date.

There are three things that I can guarantee will happen from now on.

1. You will experience a let down at the completion of these games. If you don't feel this, then you haven't been involved.

2. You (or some of you) will experience a sense of guilt. ( I won't explain now, but maybe some media will highlight it over the next few weeks).

3. You are about to find out the actual results of success, in that many of your successful coaches and administrators will be poached. As an excercise, try and find out how many Australian coaches are now based in other countries. I'll start you off with the Chinese swimmer Ye, her coach is an Aussie.

Good coaches, as well as sportspeople are tempted by the mighty dollar.

How do I know all the above? We've been there, and done that.

The last thing that you need to do is to ensure that the infrastructure that has been put in place is not wasted like Athens and Beijing.

Finally a quote from RLS:

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant. ”

Dave,

When you say "you" do you mean me personally or the nation as a whole?

For me personally, the Olympics have been far more than just doing rather well in a lot of sports. The following are some of the things that will not diminish over time:

- the enormous success of the torch relay.

Seeing huge crowds in Chorley at 0730. Watching the coverage of towns across the country 10 deep. Getting regular reports from a friend who was working on one of the support buses for most of the relay and hearing the stories of what was happening. Seeing the inspiring images of many of the torch bearers who had overcome adversity

- having the opportunity to get involved

I volunteered for a torch stopover day and it was a great experience (even though it was a Sunday and rather tiring!). Another friend worked was seconded to work for Visa for 8 days in the Olympic Park and she's loved every minute, despite not getting back to the hotel until turned midnight. Seeing the clear pride and enjoyment the Games Makers have had.

- sharing the experience

Having 5 days in London and attending 5 sports with a mate. The amazing Olympic Park. Realising that archery is a wonderful spectator sport. Going to Old Trafford with my parents and seeing my 70 year old mum loving every minute of it, and not worrying about being a part of a 70k crowd (she doesn't even really like Ewood when its a big crowd - should be fine this season).

- the organisation

The time in London was one of the most pleasurable and astonishingly easy ones I've ever had. Everyone seemed friendly and helpful, regardless of if they were involved in the games or not. Transport a doddle when I was there. Events running like clockwork. 'Airport style security' that airports could only dream of for speed and efficiency.

Unfortunately the biggest downers I foresee will be that 'normal' sporting events will seem mundane in the future, and no doubt London will go back to being as user unfriendly as ever. But for these 2 glorious weeks, and the time of relay before, it's been absolutely smashing.

[dave birch]

Beta, sorry, I meant the nation as a whole.

The two weeks is something that most will not experience again. It's (generally) an exhillarating experience, that encourages the whole nation during it's term.

Therein lies the letdown, when it finishes. You really want it to carry on.

The friendliness, the ability to get around (in London at least) makes it even better, given the usual hassles (it was the same in Sydney).

I still won't comment on the sense of guilt, though many won't even think of it, but those thoughtful people will.

Wait for the departure of the successful coaches. You'll hardly notice it as it comes in dribs and drabs as sports dissappear back to the recesses of the sports pages.

Well done to you and your friends for getting involved in some way. It does enhance the experience.

Do the same for the Para's as well. Watch "Murderball", it will have you out of your seat with the committment.

[koi]

Boris mentioned the 'comedown' yesterday, made a point that it will be difficult to handle. Not sure he was meant to let that slip. Got to admit I'm not looking forward to it finishing, loved every minute.

Not too many gold medal hopes for us today, we'll probably pick up a handful more between now and Sunday, but I suspect we'll see the Russians close the gap over the next few days. Our best hope today seems to be the guys that won gold for doing that weird horse dancing stuff yesterday going for the gold in the individual event.

Elsewhere Shanaze Reade and Mo Farah kick off bids for gold in BMX and 5000m respectively, and Nicola Adams is in her boxing semifinal against a 5 time champion from India.

Anyone know of any decent medal chances today that I've missed?

The horsey people are back out today for a bit of jumping, on their form some more bling could be won. Got the Canoe sprint, defending champion is a Brit but he's not been on great form but a possible. GB women hockey play their Semi this afternoon. Think them plus those you mentioned is about it for today.

[koi]

Just read that an RAF Typhoon intercepted a 737 and escorted it out of the NFZ. The 737 was flying at 36k feet, from the runway to wing-tip of 737 took 3.5 minutes! Surely we should get a gold for that?

[jim mk2]

Just spotted this - ouch.

http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/07/13166629-432-lbs-land-on-the-neck-of-germanys-matthias-steiner-during-olympics-weightlifting-final?lite

[T4E]

Tom Stalker can also guarantee a medal if he wins his welterweight quarter final today. I think that would be our 6th boxer with a definite medal if he comes through.

[M-K]

I still won't comment on the sense of guilt, though many won't even think of it, but those thoughtful people will.

Second time you've mentioned it. I just wanted to know what in the world you were going on about, in your Mystic Meg sort of way.

[Exiled_Rover]

What's that about?

Anyway, Anna Meares, in early 2004 had a broken neck. It was thought she wouldn't walk again. She came back and got a bronze later that year.

In Beijing, she got the silver. The rest is history.

A real champion, a real example of not giving up in the face of adversity.

Miss Meares veering into Pendleton on the first sprint.

[koi]

Miss Meares veering into Pendleton on the first sprint.

Leaves a nasty taste, they changed the format in a failed attempt to limit GB medals and now plenty of bitterness from the other teams during these games meant Vicky suffered there.

[T4E]

The saddest thing is Pendleton was easily the best in 3 events and has only come away with one gold due to outside influences.

On a brighter note, some of the Dutch women's hockey team

[Salgado Is A Hero]

On a brighter note, some of the Dutch women's hockey team

I was just gonna say that haha......Usain Bolt after winning the 100m final went back to his room with 3 Swedish Handball players

[Ewood Spark]

Just back from BMX and off to Athletics tomorrow. Very impressed with the organisation, and the whole atmosphere of the place. Not a KEAN OUT banner in sight!

[Exiled_Rover]

Just back from BMX and off to Athletics tomorrow. Very impressed with the organisation, and the whole atmosphere of the place. Not a KEAN OUT banner in sight!

We're slipping.

[cn174]

Just back from BMX and off to Athletics tomorrow. Very impressed with the organisation, and the whole atmosphere of the place. Not a KEAN OUT banner in sight!

Oh keep him out of this thread!!! But on the rest of what you said the whole Olympics experience was brilliant. I think there's a few people who are disappointed it all seems to be running like clockwork, but it has and I think everyone who has been had a great time. People are even talking to each other on the tube, though I don't know how long that will last!!

[Salgado Is A Hero]

People are even talking to each other on the tube, though I don't know how long that will last!!

Not very long I imagine.....I remember saying "thank you" to a bus driver in London as I got off the bus once and he looked at me like I was insane.

[jim mk2]

GB women's hockey defeat was a shame but it means I get to see them in the bronze-medal play-off v New Zealand on Friday. Weather forecast good and looking forward to it.

[purplegrover]

I was just gonna say that haha......Usain Bolt after winning the 100m final went back to his room with 3 Swedish Handball players

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/athletics/9456300/Usain-Bolt-celebrates-100m-gold-with-Swedish-womens-handball-team.html

Bet he takes it for granted too, Hot and cold running totty. So I wonder if the three girls gave Usain a demonstration of what is involved in "handball".......

[T4E]

Swimming in dirty water for two hours to come 4th. Kerri-Anne Payne must be gutted.

[cn174]

Nicola Adams wins gold

[koi]

Cracking little boxer that. Overall been underwhelmed by the women boxing but she's certainly talented.

Interesting to see the dressage results. My cousins daughter is only 21 and has been beating the GB members this season, only a lack of experience is going against her but she's very hopeful of going to Rio!

[Salgado Is A Hero]

Yea the female boxer was quality.....and did anyone her hear interview after...."What will you do now"...."Probably just go to Nando's" haha.

We have a guy in the semi finals of the BMX racing after today and tonight we have Andrew Osagie in the final of the 800m.

Then at 20:55 there is the 200m final...Bolt vs Blake again....although I hope Christophe Lemaitre gets 3rd because he's one of my favourite athletes.

[cn174]

Yea the female boxer was quality.....and did anyone her hear interview after...."What will you do now"...."Probably just go to Nando's" haha.

They'll be taking that medal off her for not saying McDonalds!

Busy evening tonight - athletics, taekwando final (our girl was unseeded but got to the final), hockey on bbc3

[Tom]

Fantastic run by Rudesha of Kenya in the 800m for gold and a new world record

[cn174]

Loving the volunteer who is responsible for Bolt's stuff, he can hardly contain his big grin!

[T4E]

Usain cements his place at the top of the tree and the greatest sprinter of all time. Love witnessing hugely significant sporting achievements, and that was one.

Great day from TeamGB again - can we hit that 30 gold medal mark?!