London 2012 Olympics

[Flabber]

Ran to the nearest window but just saw the smoke

Yeah us too. The people by the window saw the big airbus though

Managed to catch some of it.. looked awesome!
Gotta luv them Red Arrows!

[raj101]

Must be quite a sad day to be in London. I am glad I didnt go or I'd be in tears too much to work lol. Still got a few downloaded events to watch!


Particularly good closer for the Paras, more of a fresh beginning than an 'ending'. Again, very well thought out closing ceremony that avoided melancholia and instead was a sideways step, opting to point us towards the next festival and possibly Halloween lol.

[Jayman]

For some reason I decided to visit page 1 of this thread and have been reading the comments building up to the Olympics.
Wow! The posts indeed have a story of their own to tell with a handful of members doing a full 180 on their attitudes. It also explains why the naysayers on the forum have been so against it since day 1.

It's definitely an interesting read.

[raj101]

oh I have no illusions about the Games, I know for a fact they were a massively poor spend that added up to something flamboyant show. Like Boris Johnson, its fun to watch but you'd never vote for it.

[Jayman]

I disagree (heavily), but we all have a right to our own opinions

[raj101]

ok, I'd like a Games, but I dont want the mispend, if you get me. I'm not happy to p*y for something that overspends so blatantly badly. I love the Olympics as much as you do, its the one pure form of sport there was when I was growing up.

[Jayman]

The Paralympics were cheap and the atmosphere was just as amazing.
Can't ask for any more than that. Unless you mean the organisers spent more money than needed?

P.S. At the risk of sounding like a real hypocrite, I should admit that this was the first Olympics I genuinely 'watched' and followed from day 1. And there's no doubt this was all because it took place in our backyard. Similar story with the 2010 World Cup.

I just hope I manage to maintain this level of interest come 2014 & 2016 when they're no longer on home turf.

[stuartboy]

A sad day - our Olympics now over. We will never see the like again in our lifetimes.

Thank you London! You dun us proud!

[funthing29]

Wow what an experience today and I am absolutely zonked!

I had a ticket for the Gamesmaker area but communication/signage was really poor so I would queue in one place, only to be told I can't get in and directed somewhere else. Eventually I get sent all the way round St James Park.

Boy was it busy when I got there. Lots of waiting around since the parade didn't come past our area until about 3.20pm. I managed to wiggle my way forward since I am not very tall and couldn't really see, and ended up 3rd row. The atmosphere amongst the Gamesmakers was brilliant, very lively and fun. A great sense of camraderie. Managed to get loads of pics which I will post later.

I spotted Mo Farah, Chris Hoy, Jonnie Peacock, Greg Rutherford, Ben Ainslie, Sarah Storey, Tom Daley, Katherine Grainger, Nicola Adams, Brownlee brothers and lots more. Those are some of the most recognisable ones that I remember but I am sure more will come to mind later.

I'm glad I went but the experience was tainted by the fact that, even though the parade had finished, they had locked the gate and wouldn't let us out.

[raj101]

The Paralympics were cheap and the atmosphere was just as amazing.
Can't ask for any more than that. Unless you mean the organisers spent more money than needed?

i do. I've said it earlier, I am just upset that we didnt take more measures to reduce the financial impact the Games will have on the UK.

P.S. At the risk of sounding like a real hypocrite, I should admit that this was the first Olympics I genuinely 'watched' and followed from day 1. And there's no doubt this was all because it took place in our backyard. Similar story with the 2010 World Cup.

I just hope I manage to maintain this level of interest come 2014 & 2016 when they're no longer on home turf.

agreed, this Games did convert me back into a Lympic Lover too. I watch a lot more sport on tv and get a buzz from it more than I used to. Thats a profound enough effect in itself.

Its actually not so bad the Games is over, its been a long well worth it trek on tv alone and we all need to get back to reality at some point!