As soon as the medals started coming in, it’s clear most people changed their views about the Olympics and enjoyed the spirit of the games. Whilst there’s no doubt there’s plenty of controversy behind it all, I thought today would be a good time for to hear some of your experiences from the games.
I’ve been told stories of seeing the Tennis final at an outdoor screen at Canary Wharf, the gust of wind as cyclists fly past you at the velodrome and seen pictures of Usain Bolt splattered across the front of every newspaper.
What moments stand out for you? Please leave a comment below.
We’ve not had any Comment Friday’s in a while, so I thought this would be a good way to ease us back in!
P.S. Look out for Boris’ announcement today about the legacy of the Olympic games – could he finally really become a cycling mayor?
Got really lucky and went to the Velodrome on Tuesday morning, an amazing building with the biggest spirit combined with the most delicate intimacy – quite an amazing arena. Saw Hoy canter through in the Keirin qualifying, Pendelton qualify for the final of the Sprint but the guttsiest riding I’ve ever seen from Trott in the Omnium Pursuit, she stumbled off the bike afterwards and was wretching at the side of the track – now thats some effort!
I was also lucky to be at the velodrome on Monday afternoon and see Jason Kenny take gold, and Laura Trott take part in the first part of the Omnium as well as Pendelton. It was an incredible experience.
@Vinto was there too and had binoculars spying on the GB team. Was really great and walking into the velodrome was amazing. Weren’t you a bit gutted you weren’t at the afternoon session though seeing Trott and Hoy triumph?
My favourite moment kept being topped by the next one! Sorry, I’m going to go on a bit but I’ve been so into these Olympics, I’ve been like a child mainlining sugar. I’d put in for weightlifting to see a local girl Zoe Smith compete but it was a 4 in 1 chance that we’d see her as I didn’t know what weight division or group she’d be in … and we saw her! It was great cheering on a Brit in a good competition. This was then topped by the next 3 things – I put in the ballot to see Jessica Ennis last Saturday morning – it was brilliant seeing her and I felt the crowd’s cheering helped her in what are recognised as her 2 weaker events. This was topped by then seeing Usain Bolt in the 100m heats – LOL, we didn’t realise it was scheduled until 2 days before! Next was something I didn’t realise until I saw his name come up on the display – the blade runner Oscar Pistorius in the 400m. I felt I was privileged to see something so unique.
Could it get any better? Yep – I’d continued surfing for tickets as you don’t know what will be returned and on Tuesday at 14.20 I got a ticket for the last session at the velodrome which was due to start 1:40 mins later! I’ve never got ready so quickly – I walked into the velodrome at 16.05 and couldn’t believe I was there to see such a brilliant session of cycling with 2 golds and 1 silver – the noise was unbelievable and I’m still smiling at having witnessed it. 8)
Wow Stacey – so pleased to hear your ticket search paid off! Amazing to have experiences those sights and sounds first hand.
Another favourite moment was watching the cauldron being lit.
Oh yeah, that was impressive wasn’t it?
stunning, and loved the gasp from the crowd as the torch went up.
Watching Kate Grainger, Jess Ennis, Nicola Adams and Jade Jones all medalling gold!
But cant not mention the great David Rudisha and Usain Bolt!. Best Olympics ever!!!!
I had the privilege of being a Games Maker (volunteer) in the Park and in the three weeks leading up to the Games, saw the final fitting out of the Velodrome. It really is a beautiful building. I saw several teams practising and was in the arena for four days of competition. I can’t pick out one moment over the others, but the world records and the Golds on the first day was when I first felt the spine-tingling atmosphere and the NOISE as the crowd lifted the roof off the building. Team GB just kept delivering and it was very special being there feeling part of it. It is something I will never forget.
Nice – I’m glad the volunteers got a mention at the closing ceremony – had nothing but good experiences with everyone I spoke to at the events I attended.
Wiggo!
I went out to the Box Hill circuit, and the atmosphere and tension as Team GB clawed back the time gap 30 seconds at a time could be cut with a knife. Everyone saw the time gap.come down, the buzz was electric amongst the crowd. Brilliant, my son won’t forget it for a very long time.
Right, I wasn’t ‘lucky’ enough to be able to afford a ticket to any event, and am not going to gamble on the weather with a chance of seeing 30 seconds of lycra clad arses flying past me somewhere in Surrey (even if that were my bent !). However, I did catch a glimpse of the opening ceremony pyrotechnics from my window and was very impressed ! MY towpath’s will be closed for another month, security reasons seemingly. Anyway, I cycled to Tesco’s today along the potholed, often dangerous streets of Hackney, when I got there all the bike racks were full and I promptly broke down in tears. I was ridiculed by people standing at the nearby bus stop but I felt it ok to show my emotion (ever since Diana).
The real test will come in November when we will see if the park and it’s facilities are to become an exclusive playground for the Canary Wharf club.
Victoria Pendleton’s Gold Keiron. That was very scary; I thought she was going to explode!
My favourite moment was hearing on the radio that it was over. I care nothing for sport- I was good at football, hockey and cricket at school, it was the vicious emphasis on winning at all costs which put me off. The Olympics was a school sports day writ large and corrupt, to provide an advertising opportunity for junk food- and worse- corporations.