On Sunday I went back to the Olympic Park and the Olympic Stadium for the Anniversary Games and the parathletics. It was a great to see so many people on the train heading the same way, with loads of them decked out in Olympic clothes with Olympic bags, old folks and youngsters all going back to relive the memories. For some, it was probably their first trip, taking the opportunity to go to the Stadium while they still can. A little frison of excitement went through the coach as we passed the Stadium and we all knew where we were.
Once we'd got through the ticket barrier and the searches it was time to look around as we got closer to the Stadium. The 'wings' on the aquatic centre have been removed and it's being re-built but it still leans out over the walkway to the Stadium. What I wasn't prepared for was the desolation on the other side of the park where it's all been flattened and buildings and landscaping removed as they prepare to rebuild the area. That was a bid sad but I'm sure it'll delight us all again.
The Stadium is missing its external decoration, the vinyl stripes that covered the outside of the structure and we're left with the bones of the place. That was a bit of a surprise since it looks very different with no decoration but it's still fully functional and still so easy to get in and out of. It's great piece of design. And on Sunday it seemed even better since our seats were just in front of the finishing line so we had a great view of the climax of all the races. Wherever you sit in the Stadium you get a great view but sitting over the finishing line provides a spectacular view.
And what races and competitions. I saw people doing their thing who were on Royal Mail stamps last year! I saw Hannah Cockcroft, Jonnie Peacock and David Weir win Gold last year and they were there again yesterday. Hannah won and then commented that she could go faster and David Weir won an astonishing One Mile race with him speeding out ahead of the field and finishing with nearly half a lap between him and the rest of the race. Jonnie didn't win but he was beaten by two world records so that's nothing to worry about. I also saw Richard Whitehead win the 200m, zooming past from the back as ever to win wearing his golden blades and with his arms raised. In the post-race interview he told us about running from Lands End to John O'Groats for charity. He'll do it too.
On the field we had Dan Greaves (with the excellent Twitter name of @DiscusDan) and Aled Davies on shot-put and, of course, many others. I was proud of all of them and cheered everyone, especially those coming last since they finished the race and deserve praise. The cheers were shared out across everyone by a crowd excited to see extraordinary performances right in front of us.
A little moment of joy was scanning the track to see where the Olympic rings had been painted on the track and seeing them again. The television coverage makes it look like there's nothing there but I could clearly see the marks of the rings on the track and, a little nearer the finishing line, the marks of the agitos Paralympic sign. They're very faint but a year later and they're still there! You can't get rid of all signs of the Olympics from the Stadium no matter how hard you try. As far as I'm concerned it will always be the Olympic Stadium.
All too soon it was over, the races had finished and the final medal ceremony was completed and it was time to leave. A last few photos and out into the park again, over the exit bridge and walking through the building site outside the Stadium, saying a farewell to so many memories of London 2012 and now, of course, 2013. The Olympics is the Games that keeps on giving.
And, of course, I wore my London Ambassadorial trilby. Some things are important!
Once we'd got through the ticket barrier and the searches it was time to look around as we got closer to the Stadium. The 'wings' on the aquatic centre have been removed and it's being re-built but it still leans out over the walkway to the Stadium. What I wasn't prepared for was the desolation on the other side of the park where it's all been flattened and buildings and landscaping removed as they prepare to rebuild the area. That was a bid sad but I'm sure it'll delight us all again.
The Stadium is missing its external decoration, the vinyl stripes that covered the outside of the structure and we're left with the bones of the place. That was a bit of a surprise since it looks very different with no decoration but it's still fully functional and still so easy to get in and out of. It's great piece of design. And on Sunday it seemed even better since our seats were just in front of the finishing line so we had a great view of the climax of all the races. Wherever you sit in the Stadium you get a great view but sitting over the finishing line provides a spectacular view.
And what races and competitions. I saw people doing their thing who were on Royal Mail stamps last year! I saw Hannah Cockcroft, Jonnie Peacock and David Weir win Gold last year and they were there again yesterday. Hannah won and then commented that she could go faster and David Weir won an astonishing One Mile race with him speeding out ahead of the field and finishing with nearly half a lap between him and the rest of the race. Jonnie didn't win but he was beaten by two world records so that's nothing to worry about. I also saw Richard Whitehead win the 200m, zooming past from the back as ever to win wearing his golden blades and with his arms raised. In the post-race interview he told us about running from Lands End to John O'Groats for charity. He'll do it too.On the field we had Dan Greaves (with the excellent Twitter name of @DiscusDan) and Aled Davies on shot-put and, of course, many others. I was proud of all of them and cheered everyone, especially those coming last since they finished the race and deserve praise. The cheers were shared out across everyone by a crowd excited to see extraordinary performances right in front of us.
A little moment of joy was scanning the track to see where the Olympic rings had been painted on the track and seeing them again. The television coverage makes it look like there's nothing there but I could clearly see the marks of the rings on the track and, a little nearer the finishing line, the marks of the agitos Paralympic sign. They're very faint but a year later and they're still there! You can't get rid of all signs of the Olympics from the Stadium no matter how hard you try. As far as I'm concerned it will always be the Olympic Stadium.All too soon it was over, the races had finished and the final medal ceremony was completed and it was time to leave. A last few photos and out into the park again, over the exit bridge and walking through the building site outside the Stadium, saying a farewell to so many memories of London 2012 and now, of course, 2013. The Olympics is the Games that keeps on giving.
And, of course, I wore my London Ambassadorial trilby. Some things are important!
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