'Thanks for the warm up'... time for the cool down

As the Paralympic Closing Ceremony drew a line under London 2012 (with the exception of the Olympic and Paralympic Parade of course) the whole country anticipates the metaphorical hangover. In a previous post, I focused on my enjoyment of the Olympics and the sheer joy and emotion it had left me with - I wished that as a nation we would support Team GB through the Paralympics and show the world how it is really done.

I can truly say this summer, that I am proud to be British. As a country, we have come together to show our support and admiration for all of the participants from across the world - particularly those from our 'home team'.

Now, this is only my opinion, but I felt a greater sense of pride for our Paralympic Athletes. Yes, of course I supported Team GB in the Olympics and I was particularly inspired by all of the athletes that have worked so hard to make it to London 2012 - I was also proud to be able to say that I went to school with Team GB's very own Alex Gregory - but there was something extra special about the Paralympics. Arguably, for the first time ever Paralympians have not only been treated as equal, but also been put on a pedestal from which every spectator looks up to. Channel 4's introduction absolutely rings true - in their own right, they are superhuman.

Many were dealt their cards from birth, whilst others were dealt them through their life journeys. Yet, they have overcome, triumphed and defied stereotypes. Hopefully somewhere along the way, as a society, we will make way for a very much needed and heightened understanding of individual challenges that they face. This is an inspiration in itself. The willing, the motivation and the determination of these athletes has been incredible. Many, against all odds, have exceeded expectations of themselves, their coaches and the countries in which they represent.

I was fortunate to have tickets to the Paralympic Stadium (as it became known) on Day 3... suffice it to say, it was one of the most incredible days of my life. Ok, so I am only 25, going on 26, but it could well have been that 'once in a lifetime opportunity' that everyone keeps going on about. I was also lucky to have tickets to the ExCel on Day 6. On both days, I had become a walking flesh covered sack of emotion. I laughed, cried, screamed, cheered and shouted - trust me when I say, the atmosphere at the Stadium was crazy.

Chris Whitehead celebrating Gold in T42 Mens 200m Race

On Day 3 I attended the morning session: Richard Whitehead won Gold in what was one of the most electrifying events of the morning - the stadium overflowing with excitement and pride, cheering all athletes competing and letting out roars, wails, screams, whistles and massive 'woohoos' every time the home team surfaced. It was a time of togetherness, not just for the Brits but the other supporters who were cheering their own countries.  Houssein Omar Hassan appeared to have injured his Achilles tendon early on in the race but showed extreme willing to finish despite the seven-minutes-plus time difference separating the race winner from himself. The stadium stood tall, cheering him on as he reached every length of the track – the focus was not on him to win the race, but solely on his determination that was openly tugging at heartstrings of onlookers. The stadium united to see this athlete and spur on his determination to finish what he started.

Houssein Omar Hassan: T46 Mens 1500m Race

It is so hard to imagine the intensity that Olympic Athletes endure – then you see the Paralympic Athletes with such a diverse range of disabilities and classifications, it has brought a new meaning to sport. Barriers have been broken, stereotypes torn, attitudes changed, world records blown out of the water and infinite possibilities for not only Britain, but across the globe. My hope is, that as a nation, we will carry the spirit of the Paralympics and continue to not only accept our differences, but also celebrate them. 

I want to thank all of the Olympic and Paralympic Athletes for bringing so much joy to London this summer. A big well done to each of the volunteers. It has been an amazing couple of months. Such a shame that we can't do it every year.

Over and out. Weez

Olympic fever – contagion soon to clear

Image courtesy of TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/GettyImages

I have to say that I wasn’t overly enthusiastic about the Olympics – when they announced that it would come to London in 2012, I let out a huge sigh whilst millions of people cheered. My first thought was, albeit selfish, that it would disrupt my travel to work, going anywhere in London would be a nightmare and that I simply couldn’t wait for it to be over.

This year I could not be more proud to be British!

To the unbelievers, the ‘Brits’ pulled it off… you should now eat you metaphorical hats. For the past two spectacular weeks we have been entertained, proud and noisy… this is how we do.

The opening ceremony had me hooked from the beginning. The only reason that I had tuned in to the BBC on opening night was because I didn’t want to be the only person in the world not watching. Danny Boyle put on a phenomenal show that would introduce Great Britain and its athletes to an incredible Olympics. From the industrial revolution to Winston Churchill, through to ‘The Queen’ jumping out of a helicopter with James Bond. This year was our year.

We came out of London 2012 with 18 more medals than in the previous games – perhaps it was because our athletes were on home turf, perhaps it was something in the drinking water or maybe Boris eliminated the toxins in London skies? Whatever happened this year it was quite the performance - from the opening ceremony to the events leading up to the closing ceremony, this is one to go down in British history.

London 2012 - 65 Medals

29 Gold Medals

17 Silver Medals

19 Bronze Medals

Beijing 2008 - 47 Medals

19 Gold Medals

13 Silver Medals

15 Bronze Medals

Since it began I have been glued to the television, when at work the live stream commentary on the Internet. Considering that I don’t like sport, I was dosed up on the Velodrome and couldn’t get enough of diving at the Aquatics Centre.

It is a shame that tickets became so hard to come by – the website for London 2012 tickets was an absolute nightmare. I don’t know if I was the only person to find that every time I tried to reserve tickets the page would freeze, then when trying to search for tickets again there would be one event showing rather than the 11 that were showing two minutes before. For me this was the only downside to the Olympics – said by a true couch spectator. The only thing that could have possibly been better in my eyes is if I had had tickets and been part of the supporting crowds to Team GB.

The closing ceremony (directed by Kim Gavin) has given an entertaining shock of realism to London… our time has come, been and gone for us to show the world what our Olympic games were made of. In a show of colour, flashing lights and loud music, we have been represented as a strong and proud nation. The torch relay saw the coming together of a nation where millions of people turned up to support the torchbearers who represented every curve and crevice of Great Britain.

I now hope that the rest of Great Britain will join me in supporting Team GB’s athletes in the Paralympics and hope that we can continue our successes.

2012 has been such a memorable year for everyone – the Queens Diamond Jubilee and then London 2012… what a year! I hope that as the success carries over to the Paralympics that we will remain as optimistic and excited in support for Team GB. Congratulations to those who took part, to those who took home medals, to those who broke records and last but not least to the thousands of volunteers – it has been amazing. Roll on 2016.

I can honestly say that I am very proud to be British. 

Over and out. 

Weez