Time never fails to amaze me how fast it passes - we secured the games 7 years ago back in 2005. I was 34 - wow... not married, the kids hadn't burst onto the scene and it was before the current economic climate. Where have that 7 years gone?
The embryonic preparations started and for most of us fell below the radar until the dawn of 2012. Then the rain came and boy did it rain. The period of April to June was the wettest second quarter in the UK since records began in 1910. Floods, disasters and catastrophe hit the country as the jet stream got stuck much further south than it had ever been. When did it move? Late July - just in time for the sun to shine, dry things up and show Britain in all it's glorious green pastured glory. The timing literally coudn't have been any better.
Days before the opening ceremony my wife asked me "Do you think that London can do this" referring to handling the Olympics in the way we all hoped. "Without a doubt" I had replied.
What had we all worried about? The opening ceremony was an incredibly perfect mix of history, music, emotion, respect and comedy. I watched it live and again the following morning - it was quite simply a Danny Boyle masterpiece.
Despite our kids being 5 and 1 the TV stayed put on BBC1 and they quite happily sat and watched the action, as if they were conscious of history in the making. We've never had such a long period of absence from kids tv... As the Team GB medal tally increased so did the nations attention. Like most I had always longed for the track and field to start but the cycling, rowing and swimming amongst others made compelling viewing. I can't pass over the accomplishments of Michael Phelps - it has been an absolute pleasure to watch him over his career, he is quite simply a legend who's record I can't see ever being surpassed.
Week 2 - track and field. You always hope that the games live up to expectation, that the global athletes are in form and on the top of their game. I've never known the an Olympics like it, the world was quite simply blown away by the quality. From Jessica Ennis and Mo Farrah to Usain Bolt and David Rudisha - it was compulisive viewing.
Team GB, well what can I say. The dedication and perseverance of the athletes simply just not wanting to let the crown down was inspiring. I really hope that their efforts do inspire the next generation. I had asked my parents if they had felt that our success had been down to the "home advantage" or "the money that has been pumped in" - it was a split decision. Personally I think it's a mixture of both, that's why I hope that we can build from here and not disappear down the medal table like Australia has since their roaring success in Sydney 2000.
My favorite Olympics? London 2012.
