With the flash and the bang of a few hundred thousand fireworks, the games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing draw to a close, and I have to say that they've been excellent.43 world records broken, 132 Olympic records broken, and the first ever medals for Afghanistan, Mauritius, Tajikistan and Togo.
The Brits of Team GB finally ended up in 4th place overall in the medal table behind the superpowers that are Russia, USA and China.
The UK's performance has been spectacular, and it's great to see that it was some of the lesser known athletes who really upped their game and brought home a medal as a reward.
I still don't think we should be hosting the games in 2012, but I'll definitely be hoping to get along to some of the events in Olde London Towne in a few years time.
Part of the credit for the Beijing games being so enjoyable has to go to the BBC. Their coverage has been spot on, with, for the most part, informative and intelligent presenters, and extremely professional pundits like Michael Johnson, who's made more sense in two weeks than Gordon Brown has in his career.
The interactive 'red button' has finally found a place in my life, and High Definition video came into it's own during Chris Hoy's performance in the velodrome.
I just wish our national anthem was a bit more inspiring.
6 comments:
I didn't think anything could beat the swimming or cycling performances - then the Jamaicans started sprinting.
Unbelievably, I watched the whole of the men's marathon last night, heading to bed about 4am. Absorbing stuff.
I was there watching the marathon as well, or is it now called the Snickers? You would think that the presenters would run out of things to talk about in 2 hours but I have to say they kept it interesting and informative to the end. I was rooting for the Eritrean lad, but unfortunately he was put in his place by the 2 Kenyans.
I'm glad to see baseball and softball have been axed from the 2012 plan, they're hardly world sports. I'd be quite happy wave bye bye to handball, water polo, synchronised swimming, fencing and dressage. I think that although these are still valid sports, they are all 'of their day' and should move aside for some sports that are more modern. I'd consider 10 pin bowling, downhill mountain biking, soccer sevens and freestyle bmx all to be worthy replacements.
What, the Olympics is over !? When did it begin ? :(
Only kidding, shame that Paula Radcliffe and the Olympics didn't get along again !
Have to say that this s the first Olympic games where I've felt moved and excited by them. Maybe 2012 will be a great event after all?
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