Monday 13 August 2012

I declare the Games of the XXXth Olympiad...closed

Words of Dr Jacques Rogge on Sunday 12th August as he closed the London Games at the spectacular Closing Ceremony ( read here for Closing Ceremony Report).

He was watched by record crowds on tv as well as basking in the pride of having huge crowds at all events-despite the online ticketing chaos that left many frustrated watching the LOCOG ticketmaster site at a rate of 25 million per day at its peak.

'Site Full' signs were hung at all major sites if collective viewing cone Sunday be they Hyde Park, Haggerston or Victoria north of the river.

The free to view events such as the cycle road race, time trial, marathon, triathlon & even the 10k open water swim were supported with numbers of up to 20 deep in certain places for glimpses of views of newfound or recognised heroes of sport. Ticketed events were alos recognised for being electric for the athletes in terms of atmosphere Crowds light up venues.

So a HUGE feeling of public celebration of support has occured showing that perhaps Britain has more interest in sport than it gets credited with. It is not all about the round ball!
There is a feeling perhaps that with actual  support for the Games football coming from a different demographic than regularly witnesses professional football (and when they came they came: witness over 80000 for womens' closing stages) then perhaps this demonstrates in large part how the standard product is watched not only for sport but for the tribal package that predominantly British men buy into on a very regular basis.

That us NOT the sport we have witnessed over this part fortnight:less theatre than panto. Less hetoic thsn tragic-comic at times. Let's here it for the real heroes of British sport & support them as well or instead of those that cheat, dive, argue & abuse.

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