2012: Remembering the Past to Shape the Future

There are only 191 days left until London takes centre stage. (Photo courtesy of  Mr David Goss)

London, July 6^th 2005. Not 12 months since the double dose of Dame Kelly’s golden heroics over the middle distance, Mark Lewis Francis’ desperate dip to quash 4 of the largest and fastest ego’s on the planet, and the photo finish that iced the cake of Golden Saturday for Matthew Pinsent and the coxless 4. For Britain, 30 medals and the beginning of an Olympic legacy that teetered on a knife edge just a year later, as millions around the world waited with silent expectancy for the decision of the 117th IOC Session in Singapore. The announcement muted the crowds in Moscow, Madrid, New York and Paris, whilst setting alight a jam packed Trafalgar Square for the most jubilant scenes witnessed in the capital since midnight on the Millennium. For It was London who would host the 30^th Olympiad, and boy were the French annoyed. Jacques Chiraq voiced his immediate disapproval that the Games had been awarded to a country with such terrible food and who's only contribution to Europe was mad cow disease. Best not to mention livestock or poor cuisine when grazing on horse thighs marinated in the bitter sauce of contempt, eh Jacques? 

English-French relations have not so much drifted but rather nose dived into the abyss ever since; giving us more hostile table service in Paris and Jeremy Clarkson enough material for yet another 5 books about what really annoys him. For London however, the first seeds planted by our Olympic heroes way back in 2005, on and off the track, are beginning to flourish. Every volunteer, torch bearer, construction worker, cameraman, dinner lady, bus driver, mother, father, brother and sister are beginning to see the fruits of a nationwide effort culminating in less than 200 days from today. For it is this collective that has allowed a stage to be set for the brightest stars in sport to shine. 

To look back at an Olympic games is to remember the once in a lifetime performances from the world’s foremost sporting personalities. It is the stories behind these personalities, the drama’s and ultimately the legacies that we come to witness with each Olympics that pass, that help the Olympiad to grow in stature every fourth year. Be it the Christie, Redgrave and Johnson of the 90’s or the Freeman, Holmes and Bolt of the last decade – each performance characterizes the ethos of the Olympic spirit, fuelling our hopes and expectations that once again such memories will be created in London. 

Over the next few months, I will be meeting Britain's top athletes from across the country on their quests for Olympic glory; recording their thoughts, stories and journeys as they progress towards their ultimate life goal at the London Olympic Games.

There are only 191 days until these memories begin; follow me on the road to 2012.   

Twitter: @ChrisLloydTV