How refreshing, and what an affirmation of national attitudes, to see young and not so young Britons doing so well with such grace and fervour. The GB athletes could have been drawn by descent from any and all of the countries represented. Their occasional disappointment in achieving any thing less than Gold, their unquestionable and valiant drug-free complete commitment to their task and their magnanimous congratulating of their opponents in defeat surely demonstrates the highest principles of the Games.
Who will forget the beaming grin from Nicola Adams? Or the incredulous shock on the face of Laura Trott? Or the sheer elegance of Charlotte DuJardin? Even Chris Hoy, who is very well used to such glory?
It was also wonderful to follow the media when interviewing the public after events. The ecstatic but measured replies from children, in good grammar and without the usual hackneyed clichés, was such a welcome change to the more usual incoherent, inane garbling normally on offer. If these Games don’t vastly enhance our esteem in the wider world in terms of our welcoming nature and friendly treatment of others, I’ll eat my several hats.
This is a tiny country. We have ongoing problems, taking resources from more deserving causes. But we still show how our GB spirit endures. Just maybe the impression the world is now getting will redress some of the less than complimentary views of the critics of empire.
Who will forget the beaming grin from Nicola Adams? Or the incredulous shock on the face of Laura Trott? Or the sheer elegance of Charlotte DuJardin? Even Chris Hoy, who is very well used to such glory?
It was also wonderful to follow the media when interviewing the public after events. The ecstatic but measured replies from children, in good grammar and without the usual hackneyed clichés, was such a welcome change to the more usual incoherent, inane garbling normally on offer. If these Games don’t vastly enhance our esteem in the wider world in terms of our welcoming nature and friendly treatment of others, I’ll eat my several hats.
This is a tiny country. We have ongoing problems, taking resources from more deserving causes. But we still show how our GB spirit endures. Just maybe the impression the world is now getting will redress some of the less than complimentary views of the critics of empire.
