So I've stumbled upon a problem. It's been over a month since I went to watch the rowing at the Olympic Regatta and so much time has passed I don't know what to write. I guess that's my first lesson of blogging; write about the event soon after so your blog can do it justice! I think it goes without saying the rowing was a huge success for Team GB. I was lucky enough to go two days, Tuesday 31 July (semi finals & reps) and Sat 04 August (finals). All the GB boats reached the A finals, which is a huge achievement and in the end we came away with nine medals; four gold, two silver and three bronzes. This meant Team GB came first in the rowing medal table. It was the most success rowing regatta for GB since 1908. Not bad at all really!
I think most people who went to any Olympic events have all said the same thing but I was so impressed with the hard work and dedication shown by the Games Makers at the rowing. It's crazy to think these people gave up weeks of their own time, sorted out and paid for their own travel and accommodation to make the Games a success. They always had a smile on their face (which I know I wouldn't of had if I'd been getting up at crazy o'clock each morning) and were willing to help everyone. So if you were a Games Maker, feel proud of what you've done, and give yourself a pat on the back!
Now, on to Dorney itself. I've been to the rowing lake quite a lot now and the transformation was stunning. Normally there are a few people walking their dogs, or cycling round the lake. For eight days there were thousands of people lining the banks cheering on all the teams. For me, there was this general feeling of enthusiasm and excitement, that we were all here to watch history; a home Olympics. The cheering and noise from the grandstands was hailed as 'the Dorney Roar', when the boats were being introduced at the start of each race the biggest cheer was reserved for GB. As the boats progressed up the course and got closer to the finish the noise was deafening, it was like a rock concert, or a football match, rowing fans are not normally this vocal - or perhaps they are not usually this numerous! I like to I think I was part of the Dorney Roar as I left the course on Saturday afternoon with a lot less voice than when the rowing had started eight days earlier.
My favourite race of the whole regatta had to have been Katherine Copeland and Sophie Hosking in the Lightweight Women's Double (LW2x) They were are relatively new pairing and had just been looking so smooth and together in the heats. When it came to the final they blew the competition out of the water. I like to think I know a bit about rowing, and in my mind I thought it was possible for them to get a medal, but to win the gold they way they did was outstanding. Kat looked shocked at the end of the race when she realised they'd won but to watch them row those 2000 metres with such confidence and style was an honour.
 |
| The GB LW2x race ahead |
But there were so many great races and excellent GB performances; Alan Campbell in the Men's single (M1x) comes straight to my mind, and Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins in the Women's Double (W2x) were spectacular too, but as I was there to watch the final I have to give a special mention to the Men's Four (M4-). GB have dominated in this event for years, winning gold at an Olympics since 2000, so there was a lot riding on this race. Australia have been hot on our heels though so I thought it was going to be a close call. In the end though there was nothing to worry about, the GB M4- held the Aussies off to win and if Dorney had a roof it would have been blown to the moon with the sound of the cheers!
 |
| The GB M4- holding off the Aussies |
 |
| The M4- on the podium with the crowds behind |
So that was it, with my trip to the Beach Volleyball and Rowing completed my Olympic experience was over. However I still had the Paralympics to look forward to - and I will blog about these soon, while it's still fresh in my memory, I promise! For now I will leave you with a picture of me and Bronze medallist Alan Campbell and his shiny (heavy!) medal - the closest I will get to Olympic glory.
No comments:
Post a Comment