The Games are over, ending with another gold medal for Team GB, a closing ceremony showcasing our country’s musical talent (an area where we have consistently produced world-beaters) and a firework display to warm the hearts of all who stayed up to watch it. For a few more days perhaps we can continue to bask in the glow before life reverts to normality.
There is talk of the legacy of the Games and what we can take from our country’s success. Here are a few –
· Pride in the success of our athletes .
· Pride in the London Olympics organisation led by the indefatigable Lord Coe (also one of the greatest athletes we have ever produced), his work colleagues and the thousands of volunteers who sacrificed so much of their time and energy to ensure that all ran smoothly.
· Pride in our country’s organisation and, yes, its efficiency.
· The image of a country confident in itself and with a smile on its face.
· A superb stadium and infrastructure established in East London to be used for the benefit of the community at large and to receive continued national and international use.
· Encouragement for our youngsters to take up sport and to try and emulate the achievements of the heroes of 2012.
· Encouragement for our Government to prevent the disposal of school and local community playing fields and to create new sporting facilities in all state schools and in our inner cities.
Before the Games began just over two weeks ago we lived in a society where the dangers of terrorism, economic depression and the collapse of the European Union were ever present. None of that has changed but we have now seen a different side to our country. We have a great opportunity to build on the success of the London Olympics 2012. We must not waste it.
Common Sense 