Well this is all rather exciting, isn’t it? I have to admit that I have been completely engrossed in all matters Olympic since the fantastic opening ceremony last Friday. Danny Boyle did us proud and Her Maj’s appearance with James Bond was hilarious – that short film has become an instant TV classic.
Sadly I have to return to work tomorrow, so I shall be relying on the London 2012 app I downloaded onto my phone to keep me abreast of all the results. And I shall be using Twitter, of course.
In fact I would say that Twitter has added a great deal to my enjoyment of the Olympics – the athletes, the broadcasters – and everyone else for that matter – have enhanced the enjoyment of the occasion with extra information and photos and insight. I know the names of far more athletes than I would have otherwise.
The BBC coverage – to date – has been excellent. I am fast becoming a huge fan of Clare Balding. She informs the audience with a level-headed passion and a perfect hairdo that certain other BBC talent could learn a great deal from. Jake Humphries is another presenter worthy of mention too – he leads a blessed life doing that job doesn’t he? Just as well he is so good – laid back, witty and human.
I would acknowledge that not everyone has had a positive experience of Twitter during the Olympics. Following a spiteful comment made towards Tom Daley by a young chap (of a similar age to Daley) on Twitter, a little further investigation revealed a list of hateful and inappropriate comment by this young chap on Twitter and elsewhere towards various people. Such is the way these days, a Twitter-wide witch hunt ensued with a Police arrest made this morning.
If you were to ask me how I hope the London Olympics might change things in the UK, then I would suggest this incident on Twitter illustrates my point perfectly. The athletes who are competing in The Olympics have talent they have worked hard to develop – making sacrifices along the way to become the best in their field. In a society where everything is instant – Lottery wins, Fame through X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent – and where the ‘talents’ of the stars of reality tv are admired by so many, the aspiration for instant fame and fortune has, for many, distorted the celebration and recognition of achievement through hard work and determination. Indeed, the aspiration of fame and wealth, for some, seem to be completely detached from the need for education and hard work and self-improvement.
It would be fantastic if other sports increased in popularity as a result of the Olympics…and tv coverage moved away from over-hyped premiership football to give greater focus on other sports we, as a nation, enjoy great success in. Tom Daley has not had an easy life – his achievements in Diving have been achieved through determination and talent – and this could be said of many other athletes. I hope that they all enjoy recognition after the games and inspire people to try their hand at some new sports. I have been intrigued by archery…..I would love to be brave enough to try it out. I have noticed many more people cycling after the GB win in the Tour De France. It would be fantastic if these sportsmen and women emerge as new role models for young and old alike…..replacing the multi millionaire footballers and cast of TOWIE.
So let us continue to enjoy the London 2012 Olympics – I intend to – and let’s hope that the legacy of the games is far-reaching – changing attitude and shifting our role models towards people who do not champion materialism and self promotion but excel in sport, business or the arts, achieving through hard work, talent and determination. I have been moved by the interviews conducted with the parents of the athletes over the last few days – they must be tremendously proud of their children and overwhelmed by the love and goodwill directed towards them from the home crowd. I hope that the young chap arrested early this morning following his outbursts on Twitter finds a way to make the people close to him proud and not ashamed. It is never too late.