The Torch Relay!
The Olympic flame passed right by my office on it's journey around the UK. I was very excited and everyone at work got into the spirit of it - waving Union Jack flags and hanging out of the window as it went by. It was a great build up to the Games, and got everyone looking forward to things kicking off properly for London 2012!
There it goes!
Football - Old Trafford!
I'd bought the Olympic football tickets when I lived in Leeds, just a short journey from Manchester. Now I'm in Kent it was a bit of a mission, but we made a weekend of it and headed off for the first Team GB match of the Olympics. The matches we saw (Uruguay v UAE and Team GB v Senegal) were actually played before the Opening Ceremony had taken place so it felt a little early to be getting kitted out in my Union Jack tights and Team GB hoodie, but we soon got into the spirit of things and had a great evening. Seeing 2 matches for the £20 ticket price was a great bargain I thought, and Dan and I even got on the TV (again!) as we were sat behind 3 ladies from Senegal who were shown celebrating their goal :)
BBC TV stars!
Table Tennis - ExCel!
The table tennis tickets were an impulse buy when there was a mini release of tickets in April. I was living in Kent by then so it was easy enough for us to get to the ExCel after work, for this evening session. Just £20 once again, the tickets got us into 2 men's quarter final singles matches, and despite being right at the back of the seating area we had a great view and enjoyed cheering on the athletes. A compere got the crowds geed up and excited, and as a newcomer to table tennis spectating I was still able to follow the action thanks to the commentary, and the explanations in the programme I'd brought. Another fun evening :)
Wiff-Waff!
Handball - Olympic Park!
Although I'd had a great time at the football and table tennis, what I really wanted to do was go to the Olympic Park. I'd tried to get tickets in the original ballots when they were first released, but with no luck. So, never one to say no to a challenge, I set about securing Olympic Park tickets and began 6 days of hitting "refresh" on the London 2012 tickets website, waiting for the ticket releases that were happening sporadically. It was frustrating and - when you got something in your basket only to wait 40 minutes for the "no tickets found" message - demoralising, but my perseverance paid off and I finally managed to secure handball tickets (and a last minute day off work!) to see a women's quarter final match (Russia v Korea) at the Copper Box, with a full days access to the Olympic Park. Pricier at £50, the tickets were well worth the money in my opinion - I was a handball "virgin" but really enjoyed it, and being in the Park, seeing all of the venues in such a great atmosphere, was a fantastic experience. It gave me the bug for more...
Handball action at The Copper Box
Paralympic Park Day!
Following such an amazing day at the handball and Olympic Park, I decided my next challenge was to get tickets and go into the Stadium itself. The "Operation Website Refresh" started again, and I was overjoyed when I bagged tickets to the Paralympic athletics. I decided to go all out and added goallball session tickets for the Copper Box, which also gave us entry to the Basketball Arena, Riverbank Arena and Eton Manor. It cost me £45 in total but was amazing value - I took my mum this time, and we had a fantastic day - we started off with goallball, Team GB v Sweeden in the women's quarter final match. GB lost to a heartbreaking Golden Goal in extra time, but it was a fascinating sport and great to watch - even though it was strange having to be silent during play (so that the athletes, who are blind, could hear the ball coming - it has bells in it). With our day passes we were then able to catch Team GB in action in the wheelchair rugby (hardcore!), wheelchair tennis and 7-a-side football before chilling out with a beer in Park Live at the bandstand, and going into the Olympic Stadium itself for a night of fantastic athletics.
Ma and I at the basketball arena for wheelchair rugby; athletes crossing the line; the flame; Ma in the stadium
So to sum up, I had an amazing time at London 2012. Without wishing to sound massively cheesy, it really was a once in a lifetime experience and I loved every second. Everyone was a little bit happier, a little bit friendlier and the whole country pulled together a little bit more. Who knows if we'll "inspire a generation" or have the legacy that's been talked about so much, but for me at least, there are memories to last a lifetime :)
Wow... this must be a real experience.
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