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 The Olympics came to a close over the bank holiday weekend with a flourish. Britain picked up their 19th and final gold in the boxing thanks to DeGale and rounded off a great a performance. The last 16 days have been so impressive for the British team that there has been talk of revising the 2012 target of 4th in the medals table to 3rd, as the British heroes have already attained this in China.
It’s not just the British celebrating either, as China topped the medals table by a mile with their 51 golds. The total has taken China to unprecedented levels, as has the spectacle of the games which has had the whole world talking.
With so much focus of matter surrounding the Olympics the performances of many athletes has been truly inspiring. Over the past 16 days there have been so many heroes, heroines and some villains.
The games closed at the bird’s nest on Sunday night in typical mesmerizing fashion. Albeit on a slightly smaller scale the Olympic stadium was once again witness to an intense show of fireworks, music and mass choreographed dancing. The IOC Chief Jacques Rogge described it as “truly exceptional” and went on to say “we come to the end of 16 glorious days we will cherish forever. Thank you to the people of China.”
The legacy of these games will be remembered for bringing the world together in peace, a sentiment that the Chinese president Hu Jintao echoed as he described the games as “a grand celebration of sport, peace and friendship.”
So more than 40 world records, 100 Olympic records and 302 golds after 8th August 2008 we arrived at the point the games were handed over to London. A traditional red double decker bus entered the stadium at this point with the route London-Beijing-London painted on its side. The next stage of the performance was all to do with London and the style was a distinct contrast to that of the precision of the Chinese acts. It all culminated to the point when the bus top opened revealing Leona Lewis, Jimmy Page and eventually David Beckham. Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, received the Olympic flag to announce to the world that London is now the world’s Olympic city. Johnson then proclaimed “sport is coming home. See you in London.”
As the handover party kicked off one question did become prevalent in my mind, how will we top these games in Beijing? Britain certainly will not be able to match the incredible spending on venues and infrastructure China has invested in, neither will Britain be able to mount a serious bid to finish top of the medals table. However the London games, as Lord Coe has said, will be focused on creating a lasting legacy for the people of London and the UK. Perhaps that will be where London can beat Beijing, the freedom and participation of the public at the events rather than via a Television set. The massive level of security in Beijing is said to have taken away the Olympic spirit from those who do not have tickets. London is a great showcase of hundreds of cultures living together side by side; it was probably London’s multicultural feel that got it the games.
Nevertheless it was the sport that made these Beijing games the most memorable. From Phelps to Bolt, from Hoy to Aldington these games have been truly record-breaking in so many ways.
What were your highlights and/or lowlights of the games?
Do you think it has changed the way the world looks at China?
How will London 2012 be affected by the success of these games? |
Life in China 
