Where were you when Usain Bolt won his 2nd Olympic Title?

Although I would dearly have loved to have been in the Olympic Stadium, having been there to see Usain Bolt qualify from Round 1, it was not to be. (Not from want of trying mind you, I have been on the website every day). I really craved an atmospheric setting, so I settled on the next best thing, the big screen in Hyde Park. I was aware, along with the rest of the world, that the Olympic Games Mens 100m final would take place at 9.50 pm, so we arrived in Hyde Park in plenty of time – 2pm in fact. Ok, so a little bit early, but I really enjoyed the lead up and watched other events along the way – but more about them later.

We had a good position to watch the race, among the thousands of other fans – we had settled on the smaller of the two screens that was showing the race – but it was no less atmospheric.

The crowd was warmed up by the Women’s 400m. I was on my feet, waving my flag, shouting and cheering like a mad woman. Christine Ohurogu may have been disappointed not to win, but I think she did very well and won a well deserved Silver medal.

So, back to the Main Event. It started to get dark, it got very cold (I had by now added a blanket to my scarf and coat), but still felt that the wind was really attacking me. However, all was forgotten as the 8 men came out for the final.
Richard Thompson
Asafa Powell
Tyson Gay
Johan Blake
Justin Gatlin
Usain Bolt
Ryan Bailey
Churandy Martina

And what a final it was, all over the world, I’m sure, people of all nations, were cheering on Usain Bolt to win. Although after Seoul 2008, he was a hero or person to worship, this year he become an object of curiosity, he had lost recently, and to some he was struggling. However, just as many people, me included, still thought he could and would win.

Carl Lewis was the last sprinter to defended his Olympic 100m title (1984 and 1988), and he needed Ben Johnson to be exposed as a cheat before he could reclaim gold.

Usain Bolt may have run badly in Ostrava – but this was the one that mattered. He didnt disapoint. The whole of Hyde Park errupted, it was a fabulous moment. Twenty million tuned into the BBC to watch 10 seconds of history – and 2 billion watched around the world. But not in America – despite having three men in the final. NBC decided to wait to show the race during prime time TV ?  I couldn’t believe it.  Words cannot express why they would even think that acceptable. I know many of my friends in Australia woke up early to watch the race – good on you, and good on Channel Nine. Nine have had a bit of bad press I hear, for concentrating on Swimming, interviewing swimmers and more swimming.

My thoughts? FAB – U – LOUS! Lightning has certainly struck again at the Olympic Games.

This must have been the the greatest 100m race in history.Seven out of eight ran under 10 seconds, only Asafa Powell didnt – his excuse was an injury.

Super Saturday

Oh my god!! I am still getting over the wonderful scenes in the Olympic Stadium last night! Did we really get 3 GOLD MEDALS! Well done Team GB, well done Jessica Ennis, Greg Rutherford and Mo Farah.

It was great being in the stadium earlier in the day and I really did not want to leave. We wandered around the stadium taking photos and managed to wield our way round to the Olympic torch to take some close ups. A really sweet Games maker kept asking us to leave, but it was so hard, we had to get the shots – I mean – it’s the Olympic Games. Not that she will be reading this, but I should apologise, but it was our one and only opportunity and we wanted a record to show we had been there.

Rosie and I saw some great athletics, including Jessica in the Long Jump and Javelin on her way to Gold. We also saw the great Usain Bolt in his first heat – which incidentally he didnt win, he did just enough to get through – but not a problem, you dont need to win heats, its the final that counts. It was good to see Elish McCoglan daughter of Liz McCoglan running in the steeplechase. It makes me feel old when I remember that I watched her mother running! Our British boys were also in action, Dwain Chambers, Adam Gemili and James Dasaolu safely through round 1. We couldn’t contain ourselves, we cheered so loud we were hoarse, tried to take photos, clapping so hard, we were exhausted – but what a day.

And outside the stadium, THREE MORE GOLDS, Women’s Cycling Team Pursuit, Mens Rowing Coxless four and Women’s Rowing pair. And the tennis has been great – Andy Murray has done so well, in the finals of the Men’s Singles and Mixed Doubles – he’ll be rather tired by the end of the day on Sunday.

Being a pom living down under I have also been following the Australian Team and wishing them well too – yes I have!

So I should also congratulate Michael Watt of Australia who put up a great challenge to win his Silver medal in the Long Jump.

The rowing was spectacular and thought the Aussie Oarsome Foursome had set to ruffle the feathers of the GB four, luckily for us we pulled it off and won another Gold, but this may see the end of a long career for an emotional Drew Ginn, who won another silver medal for Australia to add to his collection.

Don’t forget to check out the medal table. Our sports minister, Hugh Robertson has made a bet with the Australian sports minister, Kate Lundy that GB will win more gold medals than Australia. Watch this space!

So today, Sunday, sees the Women’s marathon. We’ll be on the streets cheering them on, and then onto Hyde Park to watch Andy Murray on the Big Screen and then the big one – the men’s 100m final. I can’t wait.

And for my Australian friends, if you haven’t been following the Australian team efforts – shame on you. If you want more details, follow the link http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/olympics/Postcard.aspx

London 2012 Medal Table – we’re doing so well, I just have to keep a track – 3rd at time of writing.

London 2012 Medal table

Medal Table

I suppose today is the day when my olympic journey really started – I’ve got a ticket for the Badminton quarter finals. I was wondering what the standard might be after four of the top seeds (Korea, China & Indonesia) were disqualified for ‘not trying hard enough’. I’ve got mixed emotions about that. Some say they did nothing wrong – after all they were trying to win the Gold medal, others think they should have done their best – even if only to give the spectators the opportunity to see the top class sport they had paid for.

Anyway, I set off bright and early, well 10am, carrying my British flag – I know we’re not playing, but must always fly the flag, and wearing my Union Flag earrings (thanks Penny). The advice is to try to arrive 90 minutes early to get through the ‘airport style’ security screening. The expected travel time from Lewisham to Wembley is an hour and 5 minutes, however I was sure it would take much longer, but no, it took an hour and 5 minutes. I expected to be near the front of the queue with ages to wait but the queue was already enormous. Everyone else obviously thought like me and it would take longer.

My session started at 1230 and I arrived at 1105 – never mind it gave me the chance to do what I love to do, chat. I engaged in conversation with whoever would listen. One lady who was there with her grandchildren had flown back from Cyprus – couldnt trump me! Another group had come down from Newcastle for the week and managed to get a couple more tickets online while they were here. Luck of the draw – I had tried but nothing yet.
Once the doors opened, we got in quite quickly and were able to bask in the sunshine or go in and find our seats, use the ladies room, buy a drink or snacks or fill up our empty water bottles. All quite pleasant. It was my first olympic event ever, and I was a little excited and looking forward to chatting to my neighbours about the game, or the journey or how good it is to have the games in London. I found my seat, a little bit to the right of the courts, not too bad, though I would rather have been face on, it is the olympics, so I have to turn my head, its the olympics, I could cope. What wasnt so good was the fact that the seat was the middle seat in a row of seven. Hummm, ok, I may get another single person either side. No such luck. The first group came along and sat on my left, three young boys – they would probably call themselves men – but at my age they’re boys. I smiled and tried to engage – nothing! Oh well, will have better luck with the next group. Not a chance. Just before it started 3 more men – this time a man and two boys came and plonked themselves down. The one sitting next to me though definitely a boy was massive, and sat forward with his arms up, elbows resting on his knees. Well couldnt see a thing, I moved so I could see through his gi-normous hands, but when he applauded the view was worse. I did – very politely ask him to put his hands down, and he was so apologetic. Great sorted. Now I could enjoy the match – mixed doubles quarter finals between the Chinese (number 1 seeds) and the Danish who were the number 4 seeds. The Danes, Joachim Fischer and Christinna Pedersen, had tons of support in the arena and took the first set.

Unfortunately although they played really well, they lost the next two sets. It was a great match and I enjoyed it much more than the women’s singles that followed.

It wasn’t until I was on the tube travelling home that I found out (by overhearing somebody else), that we had won more medals. It was great to see the Badminton live, but that meant missing out on the C2 slalom, Rowing and the Double Trap Shooting on TV and the Cycling – Well done Sir Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny and Phil Hines. Luckily, the BBC are keen on showing everything a dozen times, so I got to see it after all.

Can’t wait until tomorrow – going to the Olympic Park to watch the Athletics and will see inside the Olympic Stadium!  I’m so excited I hope I can get to sleep!

LONDON 2012 – Day 5

It’s my first full day back, and I am so excited to be home – to be in London and to soak in the atmosphere of the games is amazing. I really enjoy the Olympics at the best of times, and as any British Olympic fan will probably agree, it is great to have them here on home soil. Although Australia’s Channel Nine has extensive coverage of the games, it’s not the same as the good old BBC. There is a slight comfort in seeing Sue Barker, Gary Linekar, Clare Balding, Jonathon Edwards and even the young Jake Humphrey. there are a few names I dont know yet, but no doubt they will become familiar. If I had come home sooner, or had thought about it properly I would have got out and about a bit more, as it is I’m watching the games from the comfort of the settee. It doesnt stop me jumping up and shouting at the TV, and what a great day.

And what a great day – Bradley Wiggins & Chris Froome, Michael Jamison all winning medals and Andy Murray getting through to the next round. Really cant wait to get to see live action. Watch this space!