MouthLondon - London Student & Youth Magazine
Recap: London 2012
Pin ItA far cry from the destruction and disgrace of last summer, London has instead excelled itself through the resounding success of the Olympic Games.
Two weeks since we shed a tear as our country waved goodbye to thousands of athletes, 17 days of triumph for Team GB and by all accounts, the greatest Games ever, the capital prepares for yet another sporting spectacle. The Paralympics will showcase even more of the world’s most remarkable sports persons, providing a welcome relief to Britain’s post-Olympics slump.
…burns brightly…
As the Paralympic flame now burns brightly in London’s Trafalgar Square and the blaze of the Olympics is all but extinguished, I look back on my experience working in the media covering Great Britain’s athletic extravaganza.
Despite not having acquired any of those elusive tickets in the numerous online ballots, my experience of London 2012 was an unforgettable one. I spent the duration of the Games working on Absolute Radio’s drive time show with Johnny Vaughan, live form Hyde Park. Our pimped-up porter-cabin stood tall and proud next to the main stage at BT London Live, the unofficial home of the Olympic Games and the scene of countless gold medal celebrations. Festivities commenced on the 5th day when rowers Heather Stanning and Helen Glover secured GB’s first gold medal, ceasing only with the extinguishing of the Olympic cauldron.
…daily buzz of 60,000 supporters…
From the Absolute radio studio I not only got to experience the daily buzz of 60,000 supporters cheering on GB’s finest, but I also got to meet the Olympic heroes. The athletes who just yesterday were performing in the Olympic stadium, the Velodrome or on London’s roads were in our studio, replaying their gold medal moments, explaining their years of hard work, and marveling at the support of the British public.
Through our glass doors came Jess Ennis, Bradley Wiggins, Nicola Adams and many more. Their modesty, humility and above all their humanity was reassuring in this era which dramatises the cult of the footballer. Their genuine astonishment when members of the public asked for their picture, their autograph or merely recognised them was a refreshing change. Readjusting to the drama of the Premier League and all that comes with it could be a lengthy process.
…electric atmosphere of the city…
The ecstasy which engulfed London in those magical 17 days was something which I hope everyone got to experience, especially as it may never happen again. The benevolence supporters shared during the Games should not be instantly forgotten. We can be optimistic that the legacy of the Games will have a lasting impact, but not only in the sporting world. The electric atmosphere of the city during the Olympics will hopefully inspire Londoners to continue smiling on the tube, befriending and helping strangers, enjoying each other’s company and to maintain the Olympic spirit in the Capital for years to come.
About the author
I am currently in my first year at UCL studying French and History of Art but my real passion lies in sport. I play netball for the university and am an keen follower of rugby and football.
Further articles by Louise Gwilliam →
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