Olympics Hype, You’ve Got Me (Unconventionally)

Me, a non-sports fan, have suddenly found myself swept up in the London 2012 hype.  Why?  Well my feelings towards it prior to yesterday were fairly nonchalant: I didn’t really see why people were excited but equally didn’t understand the people moaning.  But yesterday I travelled to London for the launch party of the online TV channel I’ve been working on, it just so happened that the launch was at Marble Arch.  As I approached said location the torch was apparently going to be ‘travelling’ through there.  And for me it was not so much the seeing of the torch that got me thinking.  In fact I didn’t manage to catch a glimpse!  It was more the atmosphere, everyone around me was excited and talking about the games.  You couldn’t move for the people around you and I realised that this was something bringing everyone together.

London 2012 Tower Bridge

As I said I’m not in it for the sport. I’m not particularly riveted by the fact that Usain Bolt may run the 100 metres in 9 seconds (if I blink I might miss it), nor am excited by the thought of watching people on bikes cycle round really fast in circular dome.  But that aside while I don’t enjoy the sport itself, I do enjoy watching an athlete’s reaction upon winning and achieving their goal.  It’s not the physical feat that I get excited about, I’m not interested in the world records or medals themselves, but watching someone achieving what they have worked so hard for.  (And I don’t like to admit it) That is one of the things I do find inspiring about sport.

Some things will be unmissable.  I’m excited to see Oscar Pistorius run for the South African team.  He of course has been nicknamed the fastest man on no legs.  This is a man that has overcome massive adversity to fulfil his dreams.  I for one hope he wins!

And of course the other thing I’m excited about is the opening ceremony.  I felt the atmosphere in London yesterday and know that it will continue to be incredible.  I just want to see what London can do!

Oscar Pistorious aka Fastest Man on No Legs

Maybe this time Boris Johnson will succeed in waving the British flag properly: well we can always hope …

 Follow me on twitter: @LucyBarclay1 

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100 days to go …

I woke up this morning only to be greeted by an email on my phone that told me there are a mere one hundred days until the London Olympics.  Now I’m not exactly a sports fan, so god only knows why I receive such emails.  I can’t think of anything less fun than sitting watching someone run round and round a track or even worse throw a pole with point on the end as far as they can.

London 2012, only 100 days to go!

But don’t get me wrong, I have no complaint about the Olympics being in London … apart from maybe that god awful kit designed by Stella McCartney.  I’m not sure a ‘sharp and contemporary’ kit is going to help the medal situation.  Especially when Usain Bolt said today he wants to run 100 metres in 9.4 seconds!!

Not sure about the crotch patches Stella!

Now that is just insane Usain!!

When I read that I started to fantasize about being able to move that fast myself.  A gym session might pass quicker – maximum calories burned, in minimum time.  What if I could get everything done that fast? If I could read a book in just 9.4 seconds, I’d never be behind on uni work again!  Oh the possibilities …

But back to the Olympics.  Despite not being a sports fan, I think the games could be great.  I know there are people that say ‘what a waste of money!’ etc etc.  Maybe that’s true, but how many events can create universal interest and excitement? How many events can bring so many people together? And how many events do you know of that have their own countdown timer in Trafalgar Square for god’s sake?

Only 100 days to go …

So even as a complete non-sports fan: I have say I might be a tiny bit excited about the Olympics.  Not for the sports, I can think of nothing worse, but just the sheer scale of the event.  Just the atmosphere it will create.

But shhh, don’t tell anyone!

 Follow me on twitter: @LucyBarclay1

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