‘Olympomania’ Electrifies London
By Giles Malone // July 29, 2012
LIVE REPORT FROM THE 30th Olympiad
(VIDEO: sportsvibeTV)
EDITOR’S NOTE: SpaceCoastDaily.com’s Giles Malone, a native of England and 30-year resident of Brevard County, is in London covering the Olympic Games. He is providing his unique perspective of the games, and his native country, as he travels to the various venues to report back to the Space Coast on all the glamour and excitement of the 30th Olympic Games.
THE OLYMPIC GAMES • LONDON, ENGLAND – The Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has termed it “Olympomania” for the excitement that is buzzing all around the nations capital.
Flags and people dressed in colorful garb conveying national pride can be seen everywhere in the city and the celebration has ignited partying everywhere.
“This is Olympomania,” declared the blond-haired Johnson.
“A real feeling of national pride and togetherness has permeated all walks of life – the country loves sport and you can see it everywhere.”
It is a fact that the country is gripped with Olympic fever.
Yesterday we strolled through London’s famous Hyde Park, which is this city’s equivalent of the New York City Central Park.
There were men riding bikes dressed in the famous “Yellow Jersey” of the Tour de France Bicycle Race which Englishman Bradley Wiggins recently won.
Young girls dressed in Great Britain national soccer jerseys kicked soccer balls around the beautiful green grass as the Union Jack pennants hung all around.
Field hockey teams scrimmaged on the big open areas and the tennis courts were full with Andy Murray look-a likes.
Preparing For Over A Year
Even Heathrow Airport, where we arrived from New York, was impeccably decorated with beautiful British flowers, pride and Olympic Spirit.
Even Heathrow Airport, where we arrived from New York, was impeccably decorated with beautiful British flowers, pride and Olympic Spirit.
“We have been preparing for over a year and we brought in 10 lorry (truck) loads of flowers to decorate Heathrow” said Percy Smith, a groundskeeper that I bumped into outside baggage claim. “We think the place looks lovely – don’t you?”
Oh yes, indeed it certainly does, I answered. If this is what the rest of the country looks like, we are in for a real treat.
And so far we have been.
British Hope For Their First Medal
British hopes for a first medal rests with their most successful swimmer in over 100 years. The defending Olympic Gold Medalist in the Womens 400 Meters Freestyle is Rebecca (Becky) Adlington, and the Brits love their girl.
This morning we were in the giant whale shaped swimming arena to watch more exciting swimming where the hopes of the Brits lay with Adlington.
“Becky is our girl and we are here to cheer her on,” said 16-year-old Janet Bickerton of Bristol, who had traveled across the country to support her swim heroes.
“I”ve been saving up for two years to come here and support our team and we can’t wait to see her swim,” she said.
The young swim fan was not disappointed this morning, as Adlington won her 400 Meters Freestyle heat in first place with a time of 4:05:75. However, Adlington only just qualified for tonight’s final as her time was the 8th fastest of the 16 racers in the heats.
Adlington was in no mood to talk after her heat as she ignored and walked by all us journalists and straight to the cool down pool, apparently totally focused on preparing for tonight’s final, which will be at around 8:15 p.m. local time. (5:15 p.m. on the Space Coast).
“Becky pushes herself to the limit day in and day out in training – its in her DNA to be the best,” said Bickerton.
Adlington was in no mood to talk after her heat as she ignored and walked by all us journalists and straight to the cool down pool, apparently totally focused on preparing for tonight’s final, which will be at around 8:15 p.m. local time. (3:15 p.m. on the Space Coast).
Adlington won two Golds in Bejing at the last Olympics. “Gold, Silver, Bronze or last, we will still love her,” said her adoring fan.
The Olympic spirit is alive and well in London.
Stay tuned to SpaceCoastDaily.com for further updates from across the “pond.”
– GILES MALONE
SPACECOASTDAILY.COM – FOR ALL YOUR SPACE COAST NEWS
