Seeing the flame go out at the Closing Ceremony after the Olympic Games was heart wrenching for me. For a few days I felt so sad. But then I realised that the Paralympics were coming along and cheered up, took time off work and sat and watched Channel 4 just as much as I could. Even when the sun shone!
After the Paralympics the flame went out again, but it was made clear it was being passed on and so that was ok. I am not sure how much more excitement and tension I could have coped with! This was my first experience of watching Paralympic sport and how fantastic it was. I truly just saw the sport and not the person's disability.
Highspots for me were British Cycling generally and Sir Chris Hoy in particular getting a further two medals. I did cry when he was presented with the second one. David Rudisha in the 800 metres. He ran so smoothly and what seemed to be effortlessly. He also ran like I have seen in newsreels of Jesse Owens. The crowds cheering fit to burst, particularly when there was a Brit involved and Jonny Peacock's 100 metres. Then afterwards him saying, "Oh that's annoying, I could have done it better."
I have a new hero, as Sir Chris is retiring, David Weir. 4 gold medals in a week on different distances. I had to go and get those stamps.
I always believed the Games would be well received, but I never expected just how much it caught people's imagination. The Torch Relay started it off and then it even stopped raining for most of the actual events.
As the news stays gloomy and we get into the winter and cold and fed up then I will think about the fun and excitement of it all and watch again on BBC or on the DVD due out at the end of October.
My final thought today was realising we are Team GB too. All of us.
And didn't we behave so well!
Wednesday, 26 September 2012
Friday, 20 January 2012
Illuminating 2012
Next week I am helping my colleague in Bath with her Illuminate Bath event see the website www.illuminatebath.com for more details.
One of my jobs will be to get audience reaction. Sounds ok till I realised the event is from 5-8pm in January so it will be dark, chilly and probably wet. Oh lovely!
This week I was at an event at Exeter University titled The Sport of Science with four alumni talking about their role in London 2012. These included one who works for LOCOG and a member of the GB Men's Hockey squad. I didn't know only right handed people could play hockey, so as a left hander he is in goal.
What with that and talk of strength and conditioning I surprised myself by how much I understood!
One of my jobs will be to get audience reaction. Sounds ok till I realised the event is from 5-8pm in January so it will be dark, chilly and probably wet. Oh lovely!
This week I was at an event at Exeter University titled The Sport of Science with four alumni talking about their role in London 2012. These included one who works for LOCOG and a member of the GB Men's Hockey squad. I didn't know only right handed people could play hockey, so as a left hander he is in goal.
What with that and talk of strength and conditioning I surprised myself by how much I understood!
Thursday, 22 December 2011
2012 is almost here!
I have been doing my own review of 2011 and other RELAYS related things this week. I have had a great time and met lots of interesting people. Stand out moments were my interview to be a Games Maker and the anti-doping day for young people here on campus.
2012 looks like it will be really full on!
Already I will be at an event most months from January to July and there are bound to be more things coming along or where I go to help out. It ranges from Illuminate Bath in January to the Earth Festival on the Jurassic Coast between May and July with various sports events as well.
I just know so much more about sport, exercise and health than I did when I arrived here in April 2009. I hear myself speak and think, ha I sound like I know what I am talking about!
2012 looks like it will be really full on!
Already I will be at an event most months from January to July and there are bound to be more things coming along or where I go to help out. It ranges from Illuminate Bath in January to the Earth Festival on the Jurassic Coast between May and July with various sports events as well.
I just know so much more about sport, exercise and health than I did when I arrived here in April 2009. I hear myself speak and think, ha I sound like I know what I am talking about!
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Devon Games to Inspire 2012
At the meeting in October we chose the venue as Okehampton so yesterday we had our first meeting there.The criticism from earlier events was that we were too slow in deciding on the sports and then getting the rules for them so that people could organise trials.
So now we are ahead and have chosen 18 sports including a Triathlon for the first time and quite a large Street Sports offer-scooters, skateboards and BMX for years 7-11. That is looking like it could be a mini Games! We are aiming to have the largest event ever.
As well as the sports we want to have dance displays, music, sports for people to try, mascots and anything else we can organise between now and next June. Our Silver Band will have to meet a few challenges like can they play a Lady Gaga hit and I am not sure when we fit in singing the National Anthem. A colleague has found the words online...
So now we are ahead and have chosen 18 sports including a Triathlon for the first time and quite a large Street Sports offer-scooters, skateboards and BMX for years 7-11. That is looking like it could be a mini Games! We are aiming to have the largest event ever.
As well as the sports we want to have dance displays, music, sports for people to try, mascots and anything else we can organise between now and next June. Our Silver Band will have to meet a few challenges like can they play a Lady Gaga hit and I am not sure when we fit in singing the National Anthem. A colleague has found the words online...
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Olympic posters
You may have seen these or if not look online at http://www.london2012.com/
I like them all. I have had a good look at them and even online they look really interesting. I cannot tell how big the wording is at the bottom that identifies them as to do with London 2012, but it doesn't look very large.
I have ordered three for work. This was hard as I tried to decide which ones they would like, which might not be what I would like! I have chosen the swimmer with the Olympic rings, (obvious) the word GO over a stopwatch (pop art style) and the RoseRose one as I like the soft colours - even if it isn't obvious how it relates to the Olympics without reading the blurb!
I looked through all the posters they have in the shop and it is interesting to see the London ones for 1908 and 1948. Very traditional and of their time and both show Parliament. We wouldn't be showing that building now, not after the expenses scandal.
The shop also sells ones from around the world for the Games of the twentieth century and you can see how designs and tastes change. There is even one with them all shown, but lots of other people must have liked that too as it is unavailable.
It will be interesting to get reactions!
I like them all. I have had a good look at them and even online they look really interesting. I cannot tell how big the wording is at the bottom that identifies them as to do with London 2012, but it doesn't look very large.
I have ordered three for work. This was hard as I tried to decide which ones they would like, which might not be what I would like! I have chosen the swimmer with the Olympic rings, (obvious) the word GO over a stopwatch (pop art style) and the RoseRose one as I like the soft colours - even if it isn't obvious how it relates to the Olympics without reading the blurb!
I looked through all the posters they have in the shop and it is interesting to see the London ones for 1908 and 1948. Very traditional and of their time and both show Parliament. We wouldn't be showing that building now, not after the expenses scandal.
The shop also sells ones from around the world for the Games of the twentieth century and you can see how designs and tastes change. There is even one with them all shown, but lots of other people must have liked that too as it is unavailable.
It will be interesting to get reactions!
Saturday, 22 October 2011
Everyone's a winner
Last Wednesday we organised the Devon Ability Games to Inspire in Barnstaple. There were twice as many kids as last year and more schools involved. 252 kids and 7 schools plus teachers and helpers, 40 volunteers and 4 RELAYS staff. Controlled mayhem.
The kids could choose up to three sports from tennis, badminton, boccia, rowing, football and frisbee golf and two things to try fencing and racing wheelchairs. The fencing was very popular as they all wanted to be pirates. All the kids had a marvellous time.
Two special guests were Ryan Scott a sprinter and Keryn Seal a Paralympian footballer in blind football. They were great with the kids, signing autographs, chatting to them, encouraging them and posing for photos.
The kids were very well behaved with only a couple throwing wobblies. The young volunteers from Petroc were great. Good humoured, friendly and reliable. They were also about 16 and had to get themselves organised as there were too few of us to do that.
The coaches recommend the people who tried hardest for medals and those called forward were so delighted. The joy on their faces was fantastic. We had also got last minute Mandeville's to give out to each school and they seemed pretty happy to receive them.
One particularly good sport teacher dressed as a Kangaroo and went around hugging kids. He did complain that they thought he was a dog! I think it was the big ears. Well done Matt for getting into a smelly costume and making the kids laugh.
I am still shattered, but it was unforgettable.
The kids could choose up to three sports from tennis, badminton, boccia, rowing, football and frisbee golf and two things to try fencing and racing wheelchairs. The fencing was very popular as they all wanted to be pirates. All the kids had a marvellous time.
Two special guests were Ryan Scott a sprinter and Keryn Seal a Paralympian footballer in blind football. They were great with the kids, signing autographs, chatting to them, encouraging them and posing for photos.
The kids were very well behaved with only a couple throwing wobblies. The young volunteers from Petroc were great. Good humoured, friendly and reliable. They were also about 16 and had to get themselves organised as there were too few of us to do that.
The coaches recommend the people who tried hardest for medals and those called forward were so delighted. The joy on their faces was fantastic. We had also got last minute Mandeville's to give out to each school and they seemed pretty happy to receive them.
One particularly good sport teacher dressed as a Kangaroo and went around hugging kids. He did complain that they thought he was a dog! I think it was the big ears. Well done Matt for getting into a smelly costume and making the kids laugh.
I am still shattered, but it was unforgettable.
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Velodrome scaletrix
It's here. The Velodrome scaletrix I mentioned in an earlier post.
I have just seen it advertised on the www.London2012.com website on the shopping pages. It is expensive at £70, but if only my baby nephews were a bit older I would be thinking seriously about it.
As it is I have sent the link to my brother the keen cyclist. I think he will be able to come up with a reason as to why he should get one
I have just seen it advertised on the www.London2012.com website on the shopping pages. It is expensive at £70, but if only my baby nephews were a bit older I would be thinking seriously about it.
As it is I have sent the link to my brother the keen cyclist. I think he will be able to come up with a reason as to why he should get one
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