I hope some day you'll join us... and the wo-o-o-orld will be as one......

Well, here we are.  When listening to Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, you eventually reach “A Day In The Life”.  With (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, it is “Champagne Supernova”.  The closing track.  The ending.  The finish.  The conclusion.  The reflection.  The celebration.

This Blog post is the toughest one of them all to write.  All of my 19 previous posts have been penned with meticulous precision and purpose (yes, yes... and my general waffling that goes off at a drastic tangent), but they were shaped by the clear memories and raw emotion of the day, whereas this one has no more live action to report, so becomes very reflective.  I have a million words in my head right now, but how many rational thoughts can I commit to print?  After two weeks of superlatives, similes and metaphors, what more is there to add?

In an earlier Blog post, I discussed the resonance of the date 27th July 2012.  Somewhere in my subconscious, I have also been aware of the resonance of 13th August 2012.  Surely a sad day.  It’s Over...

For some people, this has been a 16 day adventure (17, if counting Opening Ceremony day).  But, for me, it has been more than that.  An odyssey which, for me, began while listening to a transistor radio broadcast from Singapore in July 2005 culminated in Sunday night’s extinguishing of the flame.

I remember New Years Day this year – that was the day the TV commercials started portraying in unambiguous terms the impending arrival of The Games.  That was also the day that I decided to take a stand.  My Games would NOT consist solely of my LOCOG ballot ticket holding of a few prelim games in Men’s Handball and Women’s Hockey, plus one Football game.  A 7-year itch can’t be relieved with such a modest return.

My first entry to this blog was posted back on 23rd July, and I want to re-state some of my words from that post:

""The Greatest Show on Earth" - and I sincerely believe that the Olympic Games are worthy of such an accolade.  Other people may tell you that they would rather live in the host nation of the FIFA World Cup - but, for me, whilst I'm a huge football fan, I can see that the balance of power in that sport has transformed it into something of a "Millionaires' Playground" ...  I can empathise far more with the participants in the Olympics, with their dedicated work ethics and Corinthian ideologies - often when working from threadbare financial resources.

It isn't a cliché to say it will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for the people of London and the UK to experience the Olympics' perfect combination of sporting excellence and national pride."

It seems like a lifetime has passed since I typed those words.  In reality, it has been but three weeks.  When I typed them, I got the feeling that I held a minority view amongst the British public.  21 days down the line, I have read many other comments from friends, as well as famous people, which are very much in agreement with that initial post of mine.

I know now that 13th August 2012 is not a sad day at all... on the contrary, it is a happy day.  This is not the end... it is only the beginning.

The buzzword in the news today seems to be “Legacy”.  The headline of the Games is “Inspire a Generation”... this is not in reference to my generation... nor is it a reference to improving sports & social facilities for the alumni of Eton & Harrow... it is a call to action for investment in grass roots sport across this country.  Whichever collection of political suits is entrusted with running this fine country of ours at any given time needs to maintain a watchful eye over the grass roots investment.  For the future.  For sport.  For Britain.

I don’t read the newspapers, but I’m aware that these Games had their critics and sceptics before they had even started... supposed “experts” who projected failure.  All I can say is that it has given me great pleasure to see everything turn out perfectly.  From the atmosphere inside the venues, to the faultless timings of TfL’s Tube trains and South West Trains.  From the painless experience of security controls and the good-humoured on-site policing, to the unrivalled national fervour that has gripped the nation.

I have to give a special mention to the Games Makers.  This legion of aubergine-clad unpaid volunteers truly did make these Games what they were, with their infectious and welcoming personalities.  Also, the London public has truly embraced the joy and fervour of the Games.  People have been talking to one another on the Underground, for goodness sake!!

So, how much pride of place does London 2012 hold, within the veritable Pantheon of Olympic Games from years gone by?  I’m aware that our dearest adversaries in Australia are acknowledging this Games as better than Sydney.  This, by default, should also place it ahead of Atlanta and Athens.  Beijing was generally considered a flawless games, but then again London has been flawless too.  I’m sure, in the spirit of De Coubertain, we can call it an honourable draw between these last two Games.

This has also been a great Olympics for social media.  I remember on Opening Ceremony night that I got 70+ Facebook "likes" for the various posts and photos I made from inside the stadium, as one of the lucky 80,000 to be present that night... and that was only the first chapter of the story.  Also, I have been very humbled by the very positive feedback I've received on my Blog posts - thanks so much for those.  I'm a mere accountant - a number cruncher... not a words man...  I’m far from being a professional writer – indeed, no professional writer would ever write one-word sentences.  Never.

I may continue posting to this Blog in the next few weeks... or I may not.  The Paralympics start in 2 weeks time, and also represent a celebration of world-class sporting competition in London – although my bank manager may protest if I buy too many tickets to those events!

This is it.  I've had "A Day In The Life" 15 times over (one for each day of live sport).  I've had "Champagne Supernova" 8 times over (one for each Team GB Gold Medal which I witnessed live in person).  The record has finished playing, and the needle has returned to the side of the gramophone.

What more can I say?  This is what...

Victorious. Happy. Glorious. Inspired. Humbled. Proud to be British. Proud to be an Olympic Fan. Faster. Higher. Stronger. Thank you!!!