So what was the greatest event of 2012?

Wow. Therefore, 2012 has gone, departed, left us for a completely new year full of dreams, worries and who knows what else. Despite claims we would all be killed in 2012 (those Mayans must be kicking themselves), we are all still here and the majority of us are still healthy.

So what will 2013 offer us? A year of hope? Well with the country still bracing itself for more cuts, money is still tight and we are likely to continue to feel the pinch.

Nevertheless, we have lots to look forward to. Thanks to 2012 and the Olympic legacy, the whole country seems to be going sporting mad. Up and down the country, people are digging out their dusty rackets or oiling their bike chains and getting fit again. Already I have booked a gym induction and started my night-time routine of sit-ups and press-ups. Who needs a night cap when you can have a deadly concoction of exercise and more exercise instead?

The Olympics were undoubtedly the biggest talking point of 2012. Forget the budget, forget Gangnam Style; London was the focal point for all of Britain and indeed the world. The country was painted gold as we celebrated the achievements of Wiggo, Ennis, Farah and co. For me, it was personal journey that I loved every minute of. Having the chance to work at the Olympics, see some of the sporting action and indeed the athletes at the parade was fantastic, an opportunity I shall treasure forever.

The Olympics even overshadowed the Queen to become the nation’s event of 2012. Poor Liz just could not compare to the Spice Girls, Sir Chris Hoy or Ellie Simmonds in the Paralympics. Yes, we had two sporting events this year to give us something to smile about; the Paralympics were just as successful and just as exciting as the Olympics, despite the fact most of us forgetting about the Paralympics.

It is a tribute to the fantastic efforts of so many of our sporting stars that many of our Olympic heroes are being awarded knighthoods and honours. All of them thoroughly deserve the attention and glory, they did our country proud and we will never forget what they have achieved. It leaves me teary eyed to think the Olympics won’t be back on this year, but alas, we have plenty of other sporting events to look forward to in the future; the Rugby World Cup, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014, and of course Rio in 2016. I’m already tempted to dig out my maracas and join the party in Rio as a volunteer!

So raise your glass to 2012, a year of sport, the year the UK put aside its problems and joined in the celebrations to mark what was perhaps the most successful Olympics ever witnessed by the world. Well done Great Britain, well done 2012!

Picture courtesy of Wikipedia

Pictures from the Athletes Parade

 

Here are just a few of my pictures taken from the London 2012 Athletes Parade. You can find more photos through my twitter account: @kieranwatkins

 

 

Mo Farah, doing the MOBOT of course!

 

Greg Rutherford

 

Jonnie Peacock

 

Nicola Adams and Anthony Joshua

 

Sir Chris Hoy

 

Sarah Storey

 

Tom Daley

 

Lee Pearson and Sophie Wells

 

Katherine Grainger, Anna Watkins and others

 

Peter Wilson

 

Ellie Simmonds

 

Louis Smith

 

Heather Stanning, Helen Glover and others

 

Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee

 

Tom Daley...again ;)

A fantastic finale to an incredible year for London

Yesterday I had the privilege of joining thousands of other London 2012 Games Makers, some fresh from their role at the Paralympics, at a packed-out Mall in London’s West End yesterday for the Athletes Parade. The lucky thousand or so who received special tickets to see the Team GB athletes, who have made the Olympics and Paralympics so special, were lined up right across the Pall Mall along with thousands of members of the public, servicemen and dignitaries.

 

Cheering, signing, clapping and indeed screaming at times, the atmosphere was incredible as everyone waved to the heroes of the Games. London, the nation and indeed the world has been touched at the incredible success of London 2012; from the gallant effort of the athletes to the brilliant organising of LOCOG and the London mayor. I felt very proud to be praised by so many people too for my role as a Games Maker, a role which I will never ever forget.

 

As the float procession came through the Mall, I was busy taken hundreds of photos of the athletes, who were all smiling and waving, proudly displaying their medals and soaking up the atmosphere.

Mo Farah, Sir Chris Hoy, Jonnie Peacock, Tom Daley, Ellie Simmonds, Sarah Storey, Katherine Grainger, Louis Smith…just some of the famous faces I saw, every single one of them a hero in their own discipline, and whom the nation will remember forever.

(Eddie Izzard)

With music, entertainment and even an appearance from Ezzie Izzard, who dressed in the bright purple and red uniform I had grown accustomed to, the afternoon was fantastic, a proper send-off to London 2012. Now the legacy lives on, and as the red arrows flashed through the sky rounding off the celebrations, it’s time for the UK to take advantage of sport and all benefit from the legacy.

 

Thank you Games Makers, thank you athletes, thank you Britain! The Games have changed my life and it has been a real honour to be a part of it. The Olympics and Paralympics have given us so much hope, so much joy and so much to look forward to. I just hope it comes back in my life time…

 

You can see my photos from the parade, including photos of our athletes, here.

P.s/ Any suggestions as to which sport I should take up? Fencing appeals to me! What do you think I should take up, thoughts and suggestions would be grateful.

Post-Olympic blues

Alas, it’s one week now since the Olympics graced our screens for the last time (or at least, in London for the foreseeable future.) It was a day that saw Britain win a few more medals to round off a fantastic haul in London, and culminated in a fantastic party featuring the likes of George Michael and Kate Moss.

And I, like many other people it seems, just can’t get one act out of my head. Yes, this last week I’ve been reliving my inner-Baby Spice (I was always the Baby one) and singing ‘Spice up your life’ at any given opportunity.

It doesn’t help that the girls have been teasing the media, with suggestions from Mel C that she’d “do it all again” and “never say never”. Oh Spice Girls, won’t you reform once more?

Thank the lord for the new Spice Girls musical, Viva forever!, which looks set to hit the West End later this year.

In the meantime, you can dig out the leopard print and that oh-so-short union jack dress and reminsce over last Sunday night’s fantastic performance from arguably the world’s best ever girl band here.

And don’t forget, the Paralympics are just around the corner. Tickets are selling quickly, so keep on checking the website for availability. No doubt Britain will lay down the foundations for another great games. You can find out more about the Paralympics here.

Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia