Olympic Spirit

How lucky are we to live in the centre of this amazing event that is the Olympics! As a child, I used to watch my favourite sports back home in Brazil (there has never been an Olympics hosted in South America!),  at the time Nadia Comaneci was my idol, and I dreamed of being able to be part of it someday, in any way, even if far from being an athlete myself.

Some Londoners complain about the increase of traffic and crowds on the streets and tube, but I really cannot understand how an event like this can push people away just for the ‘headache and chaos’ it may cause. In other words, how can anyone not get the real Olympic Spirit? Living and working in Central London, I have been through or seen no chaos at all. Instead of escaping from it, I am very excited to have got tickets for two events, and can’t wait to go and cheer in a couple of weeks.

Last Monday I got the privilege of having been invited to watch the rehearsal of the Open Ceremony. Of course it was crowded, but all the extremely nice and smiley volunteers working to help and direct people into the stadium, and through security proved that the patience, determination and good will, the real Olympic Spirit, of all is enough to overcome any disorder.

My first glimpse of the Stadium, glowing against the astounding sun and intense blue sky we have had this gorgeous summer week gave me goosebumps! Again, volunteers (or ambassadors as indicated in their uniforms) made the long walk from the tube station to the gates very smooth, even the security check performed by the Military. 

Once inside, I could not stop looking around, at the flags and the tens of thousands of 'volunteer' spectators from all backgrounds, ages, nationalities. Show starting, and of course this was only a rehearsal, so the main guests and VIPs were not present, and even the athletes parades was skipped. But what a show by Danny Boyle ("Slum Dog Millionaire") and the thousands of actors, professional or not, who got to take part in it! Lots of sweat (indeed it was quite a hot day) and even tears! As Danny himself and the huge screens around the Stadium pleaded, I will not reveal any detail, so you will have to tune in on Friday, and hopefully the weather will not let anyone down.

Now, athletes, their families, trainers/ coaches, state leaders and personalities already in town, the excitement of this amazing event is really about to begin, drawing everyone to this Spirit of competitiveness and yet solidarity!  So, thank you to those who have really made all the effort to keep this unique Spirit alive, athletes, organizers, volunteers or just cheerful spectators! 

by Valeria Fleury