I WILL NEVER FORGET AUGUST 4TH 2012!
I was lucky in the ballot to get tickets for some brilliant Olympic swimming events, but nothing for my favourite sport, athletics.
Then it arrived.
The email said there were a few wheelchair-user tickets left for the Olympic stadium…. Which evenings?… Saturday 4th please!
I knew it was the best chance to see GB win gold – but 3 golds in 44 minutes? This was the stuff of dreams, nirvana for an athletics nut like me.
First Jess:
Just an 800 metre run left. It couldn’t go wrong now could it? Of course not! A huge roar as she crossed the line confirmed it. The poster girl of the Games had done it. GOLD!
Jess Ennis win’s gold shown on the stadium big screen.
Then Greg:
His triumph unfolded just below my position in the stand. In our section we lived every second of his dramatic rivalry with the American, Clay, until the final jump. This was a bonus; a medal was hoped for, yes, but this was GOLD!
Greg Rutherford wins gold.
Over to Mo:
They designed the stadium to amplify noise – and boy, did it! The roar seemed to get louder as it followed Mo round the track 27 times. I swear the stadium shook as he held his lead over the last 50 metres to the finish. GOLD!
The crowd cheering Mo on.
Those 44 minutes – and how we basked in a euphoric glow afterwards – will be with me for ever.
Chris celebrates after Super Saturday.
2012 REFLECTIONS
At the time and with hindsight, everything about London 2012 was just right and portrayed us at our best.
View from the top.
A reclaimed toxic site became a lovely park – and still is.
View outside the stadium.
Views of the stadium.
The colourful paving and stunning buildings were housed in a natural environment of river walks, trees and wild flowers.
The stadium at night.
The Olympic Stadium, Aquatic Centre and Velodrome were not merely functional but beautiful architectural designs, aesthetically.
It created a friendly, accessible and inclusive world – a glimpse of what our society could be.
Chris Cheshire
