I hear the roar of the fans chanting 'Go Team GB'
I see the smiles of friendly volunteers ushering me towards the gleaming venues. I feel the warmth of the summer sun of 2012 penetrating the clothes on my back.
Have I been transported back in time to the London Olympic Games of 2012? Oh, if only! Time travel aside, I am experiencing the next best thing- the chance to be a part of the legacy of 2012.
A step into the Lee Valley Velodrome is for me a step back in time. Back to the excitement of London’s very own state of the art velodrome being built, back to the resounding rupture of elation as Sir Chris Hoy cycles his way to three Olympic gold medals, back to the thunderous cheer as the diminutive 5’4’’ Laura Trott convincingly takes gold in the Women’s Omnium. Although I never attended these events I was present at many other events of the summer games and certainly watched most of these momentous challenges televised. The spirit that enveloped all those who embraced the London Games was something quite special indeed.
When the games ended and the last of the Para
Olympians was on their way home a wave of sadness came over me, a feeling of loss. I feared what I had experienced was one of those a once in a lifetime emotions that could never be replicated. So it was with great enthusiasm and a glimmer of hope that I welcomed the opening of the various venues to the public, including the Velodrome in March 2014. Yes, some of the sites that witnessed Olympic dreams being made and broken were disassembled or are in transit to Brazil, yet a great many remain- the Olympic Stadium, the Copper Box, the Aquatics Centre and the Velodrome to name a few.
I recently returned to Lee Valley Velo Park for my second evening of watching Revolution, a series of 6 rounds of competitive track cycling spanning several months and taking place in three UK cities. The series includes elite champions through to ‘Chris Hoy Future Stars.’ On both occasions I have been lucky enough to see Olympian Laura Trott working her magic on the track. It was at these events that the Olympic spirit was reignited. The spectators could not help but feel the spirit of the Olympics returning and the cyclists from the elite down to the teenage future stars most certainly had visions of one day achieving the Olympic glory in the fashion of Chris Hoy and Laura Trott.
found the Revolution events thoroughly intriguing. I was surprised at the number of races that called for stealth strategy in equal measure to athletic talent. The races covered an unimaginable spectrum of racing from outright sprints to 200 lap races where two man teams would lock hands and fling each other forward on varying laps. I even watched something called the ‘longest lap’ which I can only say is thrillingly exciting, quite contrary to its name!
When all the excitement of the cycling events was over I left the Velodrome with a great sense of serenity, an inner calm. The evening assured me that the legacy of the Olympics is indeed living on in London. I encourage you all to pick a sport, find an event and be a part of keeping this sprit and investment of the Olympics alive. I guarantee you it is worth your effort!
Written by Nancy Dickinson. Nancy is Deputy Executive Director at FOCUS.
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