London 2012 brought together 10,000 athletes from 204 countries. United by the Olympic spirit, they were set apart by their national flags. In this age of globalisation, the Olympics remain as much about national pride as individual sporting excellence.
...the Olympics remain as much about national pride as individual sporting excellence- Joseph Vella Bonnici
Beijing 2008 was a showcase for China’s technological advancement.
Self-confident London chose a more humane approach with a focus on culture. The opening ceremony was a celebration of British arts and unique sense of humour.
The blue-ribbon event of the 30th Olympiad that captured the public’s imagination was undoubtedly the 100 metres final. This was the fastest race ever, with seven out of eight runners clocking less than 10 seconds.
It turned out to be a contest between Jamaica and the US. Each country managed to have three runners in the race. The rest is history.
The 200m race confirmed Jamaica’s dominance in sprint running.
What is the secret for its success? Some believe it is nature; attributing it to the yellow yams that Jamaicans eat or to their high testosterone levels. Others emphasise nurture; the fact athletics, like reggae, is Jamaica’s way of life. Success on the track is also an escape from poverty.
Usain Bolt is the face of Jamaica’s success. He raced into history by becoming the first runner to win gold in both the 100m and 200m in two consecutive Olympics. Not a mean feat for a 6’5” runner (and showman) who suffers from scoliosis.
London 2012 also consecrated the most decorated Olympian of all time. American Michael Phelps in all won 22 medals, including 18 gold. The swimmer has announced that, after London 2012, he will be retiring to focus on his personal foundation, which promotes swimming and healthy living.
Hoketsu Hiroshi perhaps, represented not just Japan but also all the senior citizens of the world. The 71-year-old competes in equestrian dressage and was the oldest athlete in London. He has been competing since the 1964 Tokyo Games and, to date, is the second-oldest Olympian.
London 2012 has other types of heroes, some of who may just be passing celebrities but whose example will undoubtedly live on.
South African Oscar Pistorius, the “blade runner”, became the first double-leg amputee to take part in the Olympic Games. Mongolian judoka, Tuvshinbayar Naidan, turned up to honour the heavyweight’s final even though he was suffering a torn cruciate ligament. US runner Manteo Mitchell suffered a broken fibula in the 4x400m but finished the race not to let down his team.
There was also a dark side to London 2012. The organisers were accused of going over the top (such as covering laptop logos and bathroom hardware) to protect sponsors.
The International Olympic Committee argues that without the estimated $4bn sponsorship revenue, many athletes would have to stay home. Yet, top athletes having their own sponsors are rebelling that the present system discriminates against their personal sponsors. This divide is likely to keep growin and will shape future Olympiads.
Also, although many fans missed out as tickets were officially sold out, a significant number of events were marred by empty seats in prime positions. Many of these seats were allotted to sponsors and officials and it was decided to bring in teachers, children and off-duty members of the armed forces to fill them up .
Doping remains a stain on the games. At London 2012, WADA carried out a record 6,250 tests (each for 240 banned substances) and will be keeping blood samples for eight years. Italian Alex Schwazer, Olympic 50km race walk champion in Beijing, and American judoka Nicholas Delpopolo, still took the risk and ended up victims of their search for success.
In women’s badminton, four double-teams from Asia were disqualified by the sport’s federation for throwing matches to secure a more favourable draw. Such behaviour is not unknown in sports tournaments and better rules are required to cut abuse. Controversy in boxing is never missing. Referee Ishanguly Meretnyyazov, from Turkmenistan, was expelled for his handling of a bout in which the result was overturned on appeal while a German referee was suspended for five days for his decision to disqualify an Iranian heavyweight boxer.
Algerian middle distance runner Taoufik Makhloufi was initially expelled from the games for having stopped running in a 800m heat. He was later reinstated as medical evidence showed that he was suffering from a knee injury. He went on to win gold in the 1,500m.
London 2012 offered also some unusual stories. Nadja Drygalla, part of Germany’s eight rowing team, was sent home after the German media accused her of having a neo-Nazi boyfriend. In the past, she had resigned from the police force because of similar accusations.
Logan Campbell, a New Zealand taekwondo practitioner, had to close the legal brothel he had opened to finance his training costs and trip to London after the New Zealand Olympic Committee threatened to sue him.
Hopefully, the London 2012 legacy will live on in another way. David Cameron staged a summit to eradicate world child malnutrition.
Were it to succeed, it would be the biggest achievement of this sports extravaganza.
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