My "British" Olympics

The Olympic Park
(c) Sarah Rodrigues

I have to admit hearing about the London 2012 Olympics every day for so many years before the Olympics actually started just over two weeks ago was really getting on my nerves. What particularly bugged me was the negativity in the press in the lead up to the games. It seemed that from under every stone someone crawled out with their own opinion about how the games were being planned, budgeted for or  how the venues were being built. I even started writing a blog post way back when I had finally heard enough negativity. But then I decided the post was in itself negative albeit negative about the negativity. So it never went live.

And of course we most recently had a furore about tickets (or lack of). And then the games arrived. And then the tide turned. In spectacular fashion. For two weeks Brits were captivated. My Facebook was full of photos of friends and family that were lucky enough to get tickets for different events. And wow did they have a great time. Some saw the rowing, others saw women's football, some were lucky enough to see the men's football final, the women's pentathlon, hockey and basketball matches and the closing ceremony.

Whatever the sport, whatever the venue, it was clear that the atmosphere was amazing. The noise at the velodrome on TV was spectacular. The atmosphere in the Olympic Stadium could even be felt at home when Jessica Ennis brought home gold for Britain.

Jessica Ennis in the 100m hurdles
(c) Sarah Rodrigues

Every medal was celebrated. Every medal chance was seized by spectators and hopes were high across the board. And Team GB delivered. In style! Third in the medal table is no mean feat.

The Olympics following on from a holiday in Britain where I was surrounded with British flags and products lathered in the British flag has made me feel suddenly very British again! Don't get me wrong, I cheered on the Dutch athletes too (except for the little matter of a hockey victory by the men's team in the semi finals *cough*) but there was no confusion this time around about where my loyalties lay.

The Women's Heptathlon, including Dutch athlete Dafne Schippers
(c) Sarah Rodrigues

How did your country do in the 2012 Olympics? Were you cheering on your home or host country?

The Olympic Flame
(c) Sarah Rodrigues