Cena
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A month away, the big time is almost here.
Ever since President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge revealed London as the host city way back in 2005, the capital city has been preparing ever since. Seb Coe - the square headed tory tit, has been at the forefront of the preparation and remains a national hero. It is largely down to the Lord though that the Games are here, and the excitement is sure to build up.
We have seen the torch of late, take its tour of the country and it seems people have been taken it by it's err, magic. Many towns up and down the country have waved and cheered the torch bearers on - and so they should, they are moments certainly they will never forget.
With the motto "Inspire a Generation", it seems that up to now, London 2012 is doing just that, before the thing has even started. The regeneration of the east end, the emergence of positivity, the sustainability of venues and the legacy that is intended to be left all point to what should be a successful games.
Those in charge have already said they can't throw money at it like the money that was thrown at Beijing, 2008, but the characteristics of modern Britain, the energy of athletes and the general public and our thirst for sport in this country should, it is hoped, make up for the deficit in spending compared to China.
Sure, London will provide controversies like any other Olympics. Will the underground hold up and will transport in London satisfy the demand? Will more drugs cheats be found out? Will the Games be threatened by any criminal activity? Why did some lids get tickets and some lids not? Do people north feel it is their Games as much as Londoners do, and just what embarrassment and how foolish will Boris Johnson make himself look?
The fact is though, and I firmly believe this, London and the UK will benefit tremendously from these Games. Why? Well first of all, every Olympics since Los Angeles in 1984 has made an economic profit and although we may not see a direct benefit of that here, it could make a difference in this climate of austerity. Secondly, there is no doubt that hosting something as massive as this has a 'feel-good factor' attached to it. This will add of course from the jubilee celebrations. Thirdly, Britain has some very decent athletes, which I'll come onto later, and finally, without sounding to cringeworthy or cliche, those watching can be inspired.
Why do I think inspiration in others will happen from these Olympics? Look at previous Olympics. The Black Power salute in 68', was a monumental and defining moment in history. Jesse Owens standing up to the Third Reich in 1936, North & South Korea marching as a single nation, united under the same flag in Sydney 2000, Derek Redmond finishing his race even though injured, through the help of his father, in 1992. I could go on about moments in Olympic past, the truth is rarely does an Olympics go by without a historic moment like the ones mentioned.
London is, and will do all it can to re-create fantastic moments, particularly and probably most importantly, through it's athletes. Team GB as they like to annoyingly be called, have aimed for an ambitious medal tally. Whilst finishing in the Champions League places in Beijing, GB is hoping to go one better and usurp one of either China, Russia or the mighty USA, which is going to be mega-tough, but i'm all for ambition. But just who exactly will get Team GB the medals, now that there is no Steve Redgrave, Daley Thompson, Steve Cram or Linford Christie?
Well the gorgeous, some would say perfect, Jessica Ennis seems to be the poster girl and face of British women for these Games and she is hitting form just at the right time. Mo Farrah was a beast in his last race and is sure to be a hopeful. Young Tom Daley has come of age and will be a contender in the Diving and Phillips Idowu is hoping to go one better than his Silver in Beijing and get Gold in the Triple Jump. Of course there are many others in loads of events who are capable of getting Gold and GB always seems to boss obscure events like Dressage or Fencing - these are usually the ones where GB pick up buckets of medals. Good luck to the lids.
We of course have a one-off this year with a Team GB football team which i'm sure will drum up loads of interest once the Games start. You know what, I may even support them as a one-off - happy Nik?
Looking further a field to other athletes now and you have to talk about Usain Bolt. I hope the lid has a boss Games and hope he smashes more records, the man is a modern day, sporting freak. Those Jamaicans are something else, personally the highlight for me will be watching that 4x100m which they are sure to win, can't wait!
USA's Michael Phelps is back after his record-breaking Games in Beijing, and is sure to dominate the swimming again. The Russians and the Chinese will, as always, through up some sporting monsters to help them dominate the medal table.
The Games will throw up other hero's i'm sure we'll be talking about in 20, 30, 40 years time. Some known already, some unknown, but whatever happens, I guarantee you will see history being made and you will be enthralled, if you have just one sporting bone in your body, you will be thrilled by this two-weeks of sport - the greatest sporting fortnight on Earth.
I don't know if D/D plan to do a separate forum as a one-off, much like Euro 2012, for the Olympics, as there will be so many stories, events, moments that will happen between now and the end of the Games, either way its started, and when it get's underway proper, it will be something to watch.
I hope it is a good games. I don't personally feel any different about it being in London. I feel dis-attached from it but when the time comes I'm sure it will feel like a United Kingdom or Great British games then. I hope it is a success, but I feel London as a city may struggle and it's infrastructure may not cope, but I'm sure the lids & liddettes down there will make sure things run as smoothly as possible.
Whatever you do, enjoy it, I hope you take something from London 2012, I know I hope too as I have from every Olympics I have seen in the past. They're only every four years, it's happening now, let's hope its a fantastic one.
Cena x
