The "Back from the Olympics and it was great" thread
Discussion
Couldn't find one, so thought I'd start one...
There's some bloke standing in a multi story carpark in Thurrock, who's been on a shift of eight hours. On our way in he had a smile and told us to have fun at the Olympics. On the way out he still had a smile and hoped we'd had a good day.
He was one of hundreds of staff we walked by, asked for help, got directions, bought stuff from and generally interacted with. Every one of them was helpful and friendly.
Public transport was efficient and easy. The Olympic park was packed but queues for everything apart from the merchandise store were short and simple. Our seats in the stadium were high but with an excellent view and quite comfortable - even for a couple of young kids. The place was packed (on a Monday morning heats session) and we cheered everyone - especially the stragglers.
Food was pretty good, the toilets clean and the park surprisingly green, pleasant and relaxing. Stuff to see and do and back home again in time for tea.
Frankly, it was a great day and the Olympic organisers shone. As an advert for what 'we' can do, it was top notch. Yes, there are things you can be critical of, and yes, sports don't solve all social and financial woes. But they do show that Britain is a long, long way from being broken. We're our own strongest critics and sometimes it seems we forget that when we put our backs into it, we can do quite amazing things. There will be a few visitors going home from this with glowing reports of the UK.
There's some bloke standing in a multi story carpark in Thurrock, who's been on a shift of eight hours. On our way in he had a smile and told us to have fun at the Olympics. On the way out he still had a smile and hoped we'd had a good day.
He was one of hundreds of staff we walked by, asked for help, got directions, bought stuff from and generally interacted with. Every one of them was helpful and friendly.
Public transport was efficient and easy. The Olympic park was packed but queues for everything apart from the merchandise store were short and simple. Our seats in the stadium were high but with an excellent view and quite comfortable - even for a couple of young kids. The place was packed (on a Monday morning heats session) and we cheered everyone - especially the stragglers.
Food was pretty good, the toilets clean and the park surprisingly green, pleasant and relaxing. Stuff to see and do and back home again in time for tea.
Frankly, it was a great day and the Olympic organisers shone. As an advert for what 'we' can do, it was top notch. Yes, there are things you can be critical of, and yes, sports don't solve all social and financial woes. But they do show that Britain is a long, long way from being broken. We're our own strongest critics and sometimes it seems we forget that when we put our backs into it, we can do quite amazing things. There will be a few visitors going home from this with glowing reports of the UK.
Um... why was this moved to the Sports forum? The point of the thread wasn't actually about the sport at all - it was about the organisation, the staff, the experience of the day. The News, Politics.. forum has a couple of threads discussing the Olympics and trying to weigh up how successful it is - but if all the positive threads get moved here, the overwhelming impression in that forum is that Morissey is the last word on the event.
I went last Wednesday to the Aquatics centre and thought the volunteers were outstanding. Helpful and always friendly with a smile. Prices for food and drink weren't as expensive as I'd expected, actually quite reasonable and quality of food good (especially compared to the crap and chaos at Wembley last Sunday)
The atmosphere throughout the park was fantastic and getting in/out of the stadium was efficient and hassle free considering thousands and thousands of people about.
Can't wait to go to the Stadium (have Paralympic tickets).
All in all a massive thumbs up.
The atmosphere throughout the park was fantastic and getting in/out of the stadium was efficient and hassle free considering thousands and thousands of people about.
Can't wait to go to the Stadium (have Paralympic tickets).
All in all a massive thumbs up.
London has the opportunity to be the number 1 indoor sports city in the world. The facilities are top class, but the UK crowd is out of this world....people have been commenting on the atmosphere from all parts of the world...it is one of a kind!
What we need to do is actually promote sports by bringing the top competitions to London in any sport. Indoor Tennis at the O2, Wembley arena snooker etc.
Now we have a top basketball atmosphere at Excel, Greenwich park is a brilliant equestrian venue, swimming and diving at aquatics center, a top athletics stadium and the world's number 1 cycling atmosphere - London Velodrome!
Most other venues compete on holding big money prized competition....London does not have to worry about that...the atmosphere here is what the athletes love more than the prize money.
We could go all prestigious and glorious on all their stupid rich but no taste asses!
What we need to do is actually promote sports by bringing the top competitions to London in any sport. Indoor Tennis at the O2, Wembley arena snooker etc.
Now we have a top basketball atmosphere at Excel, Greenwich park is a brilliant equestrian venue, swimming and diving at aquatics center, a top athletics stadium and the world's number 1 cycling atmosphere - London Velodrome!
Most other venues compete on holding big money prized competition....London does not have to worry about that...the atmosphere here is what the athletes love more than the prize money.
We could go all prestigious and glorious on all their stupid rich but no taste asses!
bobbylondonuk said:
Now we have a top basketball atmosphere at Excel, Greenwich park is a brilliant equestrian venue, swimming and diving at aquatics center, a top athletics stadium and the world's number 1 cycling atmosphere - London Velodrome!
Greenwich is temporary and the locals were fuming about the amount of time their park will be shut.Puggit said:
bobbylondonuk said:
Now we have a top basketball atmosphere at Excel, Greenwich park is a brilliant equestrian venue, swimming and diving at aquatics center, a top athletics stadium and the world's number 1 cycling atmosphere - London Velodrome!
Greenwich is temporary and the locals were fuming about the amount of time their park will be shut.Rowing on Saturday at Eton-Dorney, fencing on Sunday at Excel and athletics today at the stadium and every day was wonderful fun. We enjoyed every single minute - after we got soaked to the skin on Saturday morning. Travel to and from the site was well organised and extremely efficient. The sport was engrossing. The foil fencing event in particular was really exciting.
The only downside was the constant exhortation to the crowd by the onsite commentators at each venue to show them how excited we were by shouting and screaming any time there was a lull in proceedings.
Not very British, imo.
The only downside was the constant exhortation to the crowd by the onsite commentators at each venue to show them how excited we were by shouting and screaming any time there was a lull in proceedings.
Not very British, imo.
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