LS Sport’s Ben Morris reflects on a memorable fortnight…
I find myself in a dark place. Struck, dumbfounded, by a haunting sense of post-Olympic blues. Despite this, the past two weeks have redefined what it means to be British. Patriotism and pride have been reinstalled and the legacy of London 2012 will live on. We have witnessed our greatest team, giving us our greatest moments, in what has been proved as the greatest City in the world.
One of the key successes of the games was its inclusivity and its unity. Sport was able to bind together the athletes, volunteers, viewers and pundits. For two weeks the microcosm of the Olympic Park eclipsed all other events. The athletes enclosed, caged in a City seemingly cut off and separate, yet simultaneously right on top of the World stage. Children cycle down the streets, racing around the block as if it were the Velodrome itself. The heroes of the games have inspired a generation.
None are as inspirational as Alistair Brownlee. Brownlee’s 10,000 metre time was only 1 minute 23 seconds slower than Mo Farah’s gold medal run and would have won the women’s gold medal 10,000 metres by over a minute. All these statistics come after swimming 1500 metres and cycling 43 kilometres. Alistair Brownlee’s performances are the personification of hard work and endurance.
For two weeks the microcosm of the Olympic Park eclipsed all other events
It is hard to single out individual moments, particularly with the wide range of success across a variety of sports. However, perhaps the most emotional and heartfelt moment of the games came at Eton Dorney. Mark Hunter and Zac Purchase lost hopes of a sculling gold to further the outstanding performance of the rowing team, having to settle for silver.
After, they apologised to the nation, unnecessarily, epitomising a new, seemingly Aussie, approach to sport in Britain. No longer do we accept second best. The tears that were shown proved the unrivalled emotion that sport can produce and our greatest team need not apologise, the world came and experienced Britain and its heroes at their best.
Britain’s outstanding medal tally of 65 medals with 29 golds was the best of any British team since 1908, where a third of the athletes competing were British. Everyone involved in London 2012 has created a legacy for British sport and implemented a hope and expectancy for more success to follow.
The past few weeks have given us one amazing, uplifting story after another. The big question before the games was could we afford it? The question now seems to be, when can we afford to do it again?
As ‘The Who’ fittingly sang ‘My Generation’, it wasn’t necessarily their generation, but the next that will have been most affected by these brilliant two weeks. The flame of the Olympic torch simmered out, yet the burn of pride and the spirit of these games will live long in the hearts of the British people, and the world. Well done, London.
Words: Ben Morris