The Day I Lived my Dream!!!!

Well I have done it people. I have finally BEEN to the Olympics!!! Another gold rush of a day for Team GB with wins for the outstanding Katherine Grainger and her partner Anna Watkins in the double skulls. Finally after 12 years of trying and 3 silver medals Katherine finally got her evasive Gold and the pictures of the hug she received from Sir Steve Redgrave needed no words. Only he really knew what it must have meant to her after all those years of trying. This was followed by a brilliant start in the Heptathlon by Jess Ennis - a massive PB in the 100m hurdles which actually would have won the 100m hurdles event in Beijing last year. She also ran a pb in the 200m at the end of the first long day to keep her in 1st position.
Unsurprisingly the Men's pursuit team won gold in the velodrome and smashed the world record and then Victoria Pendelton made up for her disappointment of yesterday by winning gold in the women's Keirin.
There were also bronze medals for the men's coxless 4's and the men's single skulls with Alan Campbell and also for Karina Bryant in the judo. Andy Murray had a brilliant win over Djokovic to set up a gold/silver medal match with Roger Federer who was involved in the longest game in Olympic history when the final set went to 19-17.


You may have notice I have skimmed over a lot of today's results as I want to bring you my thoughts on the swimming this evening whilst the emotion is still raw. Today was such an important today and in celebration of that i decided it was time to bring out the big guns in the costume department. Let's just say it caused a few raised eyebrows on the train but also caused a rather hot squaddie, who was security on the main gate, to award me outfit of the day lol.
Even as I crossed the bridge to the aquatic centre I had goosebumps. I entered through section 410 and climbed the several flights of stairs up to the "nose bleeding heights" of the cheap seats but fear not my view was brilliant. I was exceedingly high up but pretty much over the start/finish line and could see everything that was going on. The noise was like nothing i have ever heard before. You hear the term "wall of noise" banded about but that is exactly what it was. The first race was the women's 200m backstroke and the arena went wild for Lizzie Simmonds who started very well and at one point looked as if she would medal. Alas it was not to be but the terrific Missy Franklin took the gold in a World Record time. You really have to experience that kind of atmosphere to truly understand what I'm talking about but believe me it is EXCITING!!!

A nice little treat for me next with the uber talented Michael Phelps and the young pretender Chad le Clos - this was certainly not a chore to watch and everybody in the arena was willing Phelps over the line so we could witness history - his 17th Olympic Gold Medal - that is just unreal for someone who is still only 27.

Next was the race everyone in the aquatic centre had come to see. Rebecca Adlington in the 800m freestyle trying to retain her Olympic title. When she stepped out onto the blocks the roof nearly came off. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as they appeared to do for everyone.


It became obvious from the start that the race was not going to be easy for Rebecca as 15 year old Katie Ledecky from the USA took an early lead which never slipped the whole race. If the crowd could have got in a pushed Becky on they would have. The noise was deafening and everyone was out of their seats almost swimming every stroke with her. She came in 3rd for bronze medal and obviously there was a little tinge of disappointment that there was no gold medal,  but the crowd could not have been prouder of Becky.
It was heartbreaking to see her coming out for her medal ceremony, seemingly inconsolable. She kept wiping away the tears and for all those cynics out there would will say they were tears of pity or tears of disappointment for herself could not be further from the mark.
Those tears were because she felt she had let down the amazing support of all her family and friends but the sound of "Becky Becky Becky" reverberating around the arena proved that nothing could be further from the truth. People sobbed as they cheered. Folk were wiping away tears on sleeves, flags and handkerchiefs handed to them by strangers. The disappointment was from not witnessing a home gold but certainly not with the effort and determination of Rebecca Adlington.
As I left the arena it was a strange feeling. It felt as if I was sad but I knew I was not sad. I felt as if i was flat but again knew i did not feel flat. I think I just realised that I had finally done what i had always wanted to do and attend an event at the Olympic games. There had been a tidal wave of emotion and as corny as it may sound i was emotionally drained. I headed home on the tube trying to commit all the memories of today to memory so that i do not forget them and  will sleep tonight with a smile on my tear stained face :-)