An action packed day today with lots of talking points.
Firstly, commiserations to Johny Akinyemi. It has been nice to hear all the positivity in the local community and the pride which is evident in the mannerisms of those who have been discussing Nigeria's first kayaking Olympian. I believe there was genuine sadness felt by many when it became apparent that Johny's time was not going to be good enough for him to qualify for the semi-finals; I, like many others, wish him the best of luck in future qualifying campaigns and hope to be cheering him on again in 2016.
Bringing the moment of poignant reflection to an abrupt end, you know the cliche about a film having a small sex scene in it and that's the moment somebody always seems to catch you watching it...?
Am I the only person who, despite genuinely appreciating and enjoying the skill of the game, feels like I'm being judged everytime somebody walks into the room when I'm watching beach volleyball?
Despite its sexual stigma (or perhaps BECAUSE of it?) I strongly believe it to have been one of the success stories so far from the games. Everywhere I go it's the event that seems to be constantly being discussed - admittedly not always for sporting reasons - and the GBR v CAN game in the womens event earlier today had all the ingrediants of a classic sports match up - thoroughly entertaining. More important than that though, the crowd seem to really enjoy it - the atmosphere at Horse Guards Parade has been electric almost every time I've tuned in. Which is a lot more than can be said for some of the other events.....
Like many, I'm really disapointed with the empty seats at many of the stadia. It seems that the majority of empty seats are corporate tickets which are not being used. This is something which is, allegedly, being addressed and I really hope it gets sorted and quickly. There is no doubt in my mind that we could fill the seats at almost every event if people are given proper opportunity to do so.
Because this has seemed to be a fairly downbeat edition of my blog I will end with some congratulations. Well done team GB for finally getting onto the medal table! A bronze for Rebecca Adlington and a silver for Lizzie Armitstead - pretty sure this means we're due a gold tomorrow... All eyes on the aquatics centre!!!
Sunday, 29 July 2012
Olympic Special Day 2: No Medals for Blighty
I was really disapointed when Day 1 of competition was summed up, in the introduction of a BBC review show, with the phrase "and todays main story: No Medal for Mark Cavendish"
Are you kidding me?!
On a day where the outcome of one of the medals depended on a competitor hitting bullseye with his final arrow and a day where 5 athletes broke Olympic records, the MAIN story is about an athlete who finished 29th in his event... I think that's a sad state of affairs.
I thought the interview with the winning athlete, Alexandr Vinokourov of Kazakhstan, was also disgraceful. Claire Balding (I think) asked him 3 questions, 2 of which were directly related to Mark Cavendish not winning the race. The highlight of the blokes career and he has to pretend to care about one of his rivals who'd already stolen all the lime-light in the build-up to the race. I think the BBC could have shown a little more class.
I have to confess that I didn't get to see too much of the action as I spent most of the day out of the house. I intend to watch the catch-up shows every evening and as many live events as possible for the remainder of the games and fully expect to enjoy some dramatic, historic moments.
Here's hoping.....
Are you kidding me?!
On a day where the outcome of one of the medals depended on a competitor hitting bullseye with his final arrow and a day where 5 athletes broke Olympic records, the MAIN story is about an athlete who finished 29th in his event... I think that's a sad state of affairs.
I thought the interview with the winning athlete, Alexandr Vinokourov of Kazakhstan, was also disgraceful. Claire Balding (I think) asked him 3 questions, 2 of which were directly related to Mark Cavendish not winning the race. The highlight of the blokes career and he has to pretend to care about one of his rivals who'd already stolen all the lime-light in the build-up to the race. I think the BBC could have shown a little more class.
I have to confess that I didn't get to see too much of the action as I spent most of the day out of the house. I intend to watch the catch-up shows every evening and as many live events as possible for the remainder of the games and fully expect to enjoy some dramatic, historic moments.
Here's hoping.....
Friday, 27 July 2012
Olympic Special Day One: Opening Ceremony
I've decided to try and write one of these every evening throughout the duration of The Olympics. I hope I can provide you with a little insight into how the event holds up from the perspective of a person who is borderline obsessed with sport. I'll do my best to keep these light!
Tonight was the opening ceremony which was viewed by millions worldwide. We could (and probably will) all talk for hours about how well Danny Boyle has done as artistic director for the ceremony, but I'd like to discuss one theme in particular from his work, legacy.
Our bid to host the games, which was accepted 7 years ago, focused very heavily on legacy and the impact London 2012 could potentially have on the well-being and livelihood of current and future generations. The biggest example of this notion at work was the inspired decision to pass the honour and responsibility of lighting the Olympic Cauldron from our Olympic legends to their nominated future stars.
In a climate of economic unrest, industrial stagnancy and nationwide despair it is important that we work hard to emphasise, reward and actively encourage progression, development and ambition. What better vehicle to achieve this through than sport?
Many great athletes overcome incredible personal circumstance and devote superhuman amounts of time, energy and emotion into perfecting their craft; all to be standing on a podium in front of the world brandishing a small gold coin.
It is, of course, the medal's intrinsic value which athletes are truly interested in - recognition for the difficulties they've overcome, the hours they've worked hard behind closed doors, their mental resilience and their un-diminishing will to overcome all obstacles and reach the pinnacle of their trade.
If we can all draw inspiration from the mentally of these individuals, then I believe we can get that one step closer towards achieving our own individual hopes and dreams. But, importantly, if we all take inspiration from the team mentality and community spirit which is endorsed by the Olympics, then perhaps, as a united race, we can get one step closer to peace, harmony and global contentedness.
Tonight, thousands of people joined together to create a spectacle, enjoyed by the world over, which restored British pride in hundreds of thousands of people watching and commenting on social media. Imagine what we could all achieve if we could unite over more than just sport.....
Tonight was the opening ceremony which was viewed by millions worldwide. We could (and probably will) all talk for hours about how well Danny Boyle has done as artistic director for the ceremony, but I'd like to discuss one theme in particular from his work, legacy.
Our bid to host the games, which was accepted 7 years ago, focused very heavily on legacy and the impact London 2012 could potentially have on the well-being and livelihood of current and future generations. The biggest example of this notion at work was the inspired decision to pass the honour and responsibility of lighting the Olympic Cauldron from our Olympic legends to their nominated future stars.
In a climate of economic unrest, industrial stagnancy and nationwide despair it is important that we work hard to emphasise, reward and actively encourage progression, development and ambition. What better vehicle to achieve this through than sport?
Many great athletes overcome incredible personal circumstance and devote superhuman amounts of time, energy and emotion into perfecting their craft; all to be standing on a podium in front of the world brandishing a small gold coin.
It is, of course, the medal's intrinsic value which athletes are truly interested in - recognition for the difficulties they've overcome, the hours they've worked hard behind closed doors, their mental resilience and their un-diminishing will to overcome all obstacles and reach the pinnacle of their trade.
If we can all draw inspiration from the mentally of these individuals, then I believe we can get that one step closer towards achieving our own individual hopes and dreams. But, importantly, if we all take inspiration from the team mentality and community spirit which is endorsed by the Olympics, then perhaps, as a united race, we can get one step closer to peace, harmony and global contentedness.
Tonight, thousands of people joined together to create a spectacle, enjoyed by the world over, which restored British pride in hundreds of thousands of people watching and commenting on social media. Imagine what we could all achieve if we could unite over more than just sport.....
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)