OLYMPICS ATHLETICS 3/8/12

LONDON OLYMPICS

Athletics at the Olympic Stadium. 
3rd August. 2012

SYDNEY OLYMPICS 2000

MEMORIES OF SYDNEY OLYMPICS 2000

I have fond memories of attending the Sydney Games in 2000, which was a true highlight in my life. The sun was shining, it was school holidays and the ticketing wasn't a problem. The tickets weren't completed online but one filled out a form and sent it in receiving many of the requested events. I was even lucky enough to get all the events I wanted such a the Women's Gymnastics Artistic and Rhythmic, platform diving, men's water polo and all 21 events for approximately $200 Australian dollars. I didn't apply for tickets to the Opening and Closing ceremonies but watched them on TV, which was marvelous. The public transport was second to none with buses picking up people and dropping people off at various locations, the hero's of our games were in fact the colourfully outfitted volunteers who had a ticker tape parade and the city was a buzz with our events, big screens, 24hour a day cleaners, flower beds everywhere and our International Tourists which I enjoyed assisting and having chats with. We were lucky enough to have most of our Olympic events on the one site so for me running between 3 events in a day wasn't a problem but I had seen and done so much that I ran myself into the ground and was quite ill after the games. Watching our elite Australian athletes was such a thrill and filled me with so much pride that I never ever thought I could possibly love, or be more proud of my country than I already did. The only disappointment was not being able to fulfill my absolute dream by running with the torch. I had applied for both the Olympic and Paralympic Torch relays and got neither which was gutting but it meant there were people far more deserving than myself and it was a highly sort after activity. I have kept all my tickets and have many photos of which are in storage but I will never forget the Sydney games of the new millennium, which filled me with such delight. As an avid sports fan I hope the Olympic games delight all generations for the many years to come and may we all embrace the Olympic dream and values. 

OLYMPICS JUDO 2/8/12

LONDON OLYMPICS

JUDO at the Excel. 2nd August 2012

Whilst not being able to get most of the ticketed events I actually wanted I took this opportunity to attend sports I wouldn’t normally see and one of these was Judo. I had a thought that there would be some form of martial arts involved but no, it was likened to wrestling where the opponent’s aim was to get the opposition lying on their back. I was fortunate to have a young fellow named William next to me who also hadn’t seen the sport but he talked me through the point scoring for certain throws which was really helpful. We exchanged quite a bit of banter and had our favourites but William’s family would be attending around 20 events and they were very lucky to have received a huge amount of their tickets in the first round of tickets. The highlight of the day was seeing GB’s Gemma Gibbons who won her first three rounds and would next be seen in the semi finals. Well done to Gemma who received the Silver medal for her event.