London 2012. We saw extraordinary performances and spectacular mishaps. We witnessed all the Olympics have to offer; sweat, tears, incredible happiness, devastating lows, passion and pain. We will look back on these two weeks and different events will stand out to different people. However, there were a few moments that will stand out to all of us.
Usain Bolts Track Endeavours
These were that games that Usain Bolt said himself he would become a legend. The pressure was on and the stage was set. Like a true sporting champion, Bolt rose to the occasion and was able to assert his position as the best ever sprinter. With typical Bolt showmanship, he entertained the crowd and left a lasting imprint on the memories of everyone who saw him perform. Spectators fell in love with his happy, almost carefree, demeanor and we finally saw a superstar athlete who also loved to have fun when competing. In the days when competing athletes show an attitude colder than a cooler of ice cubes, it was a refreshing change. The men's 4x100 was also one of the most entertaining, exhilarating and anticipated events of the 2012 games and the record breaking race will also go down as one of the top moments of the London Games.
Phelps' Poolside Prouess
Perhaps we had come to expect extraordinary from the human fish or perhaps the media had become tired of reporting on Phelps. Perhaps I have just forgotten the hype surrounding Phelps' record breaking swim. Anyway, it is safe to say that Phelps' time at this Olympics deserved more of a fuss. The American marvel once again set the pool, which we previously thought to be inflammable, alight. He broke the world record for the most amount of medals ever won and in doing so etched his name as statistically the greatest Olympic athlete of all time. In terms of great Olympic achievements, this one is the hardest to top.
Mo Farah's Fast Five-thousand (and ten-thousand)
Every hosting nation needs a homegrown hero. Although Farah may have been born in Somalia, the Brits certainly claim him as their own. The whole nation held their breath as they waited for the greatest ever British long distance runner to start his 5000m final. They exhaled relief, pride and celebrations as the Mobot held on in an incredible sprint finish to clench his second gold medal of the London Games. It was a truly great moment, which unofficialy kicked off the celebrations of a very successful games.
They were three moments of the 2012 Games that will always be at the forefront of a London Games discussion. But there were some truly special moments that you may have missed.
Im Dong-hyun's Heroic Archery Accuracy
A man with no fingers would never be a shooter. A man with no feet would never be a basketballer A man with no arms would never be a swimmer. A man with no sight would never be an archer. Or so we once thought. Im Dong-hyun produced an unmatchable performance in the men's 72 arrow archery. He broke his own world record and recorded a score of 699, despite being legally blind. He went on to win a bronze medal to accompany two golds he won in team events at Beijing and Athens. Im Dong-hyun does not consider himself disabled, and finds the attention to his sight unwelcome. He may deny the influence of his blindness, but for a man with 10% vision in his left eye and 20% vision in his right to hold a world record in an event dependent on vision is extraordinary. What a true Olympic moment we witnessed during the archery qualifying. Who would've thought.
Table Tennis Tension
Ultimately, the Olymlic Games aim to showcase athletes, but also to unite every nation. South Korea and North Korea do not have the best relationship and only come together under two events; war and the Olympics. The two Koreas met in the table tennis arena and experienced a battle with a much different goal then previous encounters between the countries. When the game was ended and South Korean and North Korean athlete shook hands and wished each other good luck, it was a true symbolism of the ultimate goal of the Olympics. Although it didn't feature the incredible athlete abilities we associate with Olympic greatness, the match was still one of the top moments of the 2012 Games.
As spectators and sport enthusiasts we wait impatiently for the Olympics every four years. We anticipate incredible moments and look forward to witnessing some great sporting performances. The London 2012 Games contained everything we wished for, and we thank it for providing a platform for world class sport stars to demonstrate their skills and compete for glory and we thank it for promoting world peace and unity. It is sad to say goodbye to an amazing two weeks, but for now we say bring on Rio!
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