On your marks..... Get set.......Go!!!!

Well folks the time has finally arrived. I am on the train heading to Birmingham, which is the first leg of my journey to finally fulfil a childhood dream by attending the London 2012 Olympic Games!!!!! I even get shivers whilst typing it. Those who know me well know that i have been addicted to all things Olympic (particularly athletics) from a young age. My parents took me to The Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh in 1986 and the atmosphere was truly amazing. I still remember that feeling of excitement as i ran around with my autograph book getting to meet stars such as Debbie Marti and Peter Elliot!!! I know what you are thinking - who are they? It did not matter that they were not the Olympic Champions or World Champions but they were British athletes who took the time out to humour a young girl who was in her element at her first live sporting event.From then on I have attended dozens of live athletics meets including several TeamGB World and Olympic Trials but this is by far the biggest and most exciting event I will ever have attend. Some will say "Why the Olympics?"

Firstly - what is not to love about an event where commentators have a free rein to come out with classic lines such as "This lady has the biggest snatch i have ever seen", "He certainly had an impressive semi", "That was an incredibly strong jerk" and "What a powerful back end she had" I could go on but you get my drift!!

Secondly the Olympics is about more important things than just winning. Sure we love to see Team GB rake in the gold silver and bronze medals but that is not only what the Olympic spirit is about. It is watching the athlete, who is expected to come in 8th place, come in 6th. It's about athletes going out and achieving personal bests - even if they finish in last place. As Jessie J said "It's not about the money, forget about the price tag" - Athletes are out to perform for pride and for their country. It is not about millions of £££. Anyone who remembers Derek Redmond finishing his 400m race in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona will know what i am talking about. His dream was to win an Olympic medal and when his hamstring tore coming round the bend onto the home straight he buckled in agony only to get up and hobble all the way to the finish line in floods of tears held up by his father. This memory brings tears to me as I write this. It is about courage, team work and triumph over adversity.

Now my time is finally here. I finally get to be part of this amazing sporting event and witness it in person. I cannot wait to witness the power , strength and determination of these greats sportsmen and women. But hey it is not all serious. I must admit that half naked ripped male swimmers and sprinters in tight lycra might also be one of the major perks of this occasion.

So let the games commence!!!!!!!