An Olympic blog

Imagine you're looking for information online about the Olympic Games and you find this very old blog post from 2012! Check out this blogger's memories of the 2012 London Olympics.

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An Olympic blog

What an Olympics!

Posted by Helen Nolan on 10 September, 2012 at 21:25

It’s all over! I’ve been writing my blog from London every day during the Olympics and the Paralympics and this is my final post to look back on a wonderful couple of months. Here are some of the things that were the most memorable for me:

The Opening Ceremony

This set the scene for the Games with an amazing show featuring music, dancing, historical figures, fireworks and British humour. A huge number of volunteers practised for months to make everything perfect. The best moment was when the old lady in Buckingham Palace turned round and showed that she was neither a lookalike nor an actor but Her Majesty the Queen. The next best bit was when she jumped out of a helicopter with James Bond (although I think that actually was an actor!).

Team GB

I was very proud of our team as we kept on winning medals and finished in third position in the medal table, which is truly a great result for Great Britain. There were so many incredible sportsmen and women. The ones that stand out for me are Mo Farah, the Somalian-born Londoner who won the 10,000 and 5,000 metres with the whole stadium going crazy, Jessica Ennis, the popular super-athlete from Sheffield who won the heptathlon, and Nicola Adams who won the first female boxing medal in Olympic history for Britain.

The Olympic Stadium crowd

Although the crowd cheered on the British, there was lots of support for athletes of other nationalities too like the wonderful Usain Bolt, from Jamaica, who won the 100 and 200 metres sprint to become the fastest man alive. There was also Oscar Pistorius of South Africa who was the first disabled person to compete in the Olympics. He went on to win two gold medals and a silver in the Paralympics.

New sports

I have really enjoyed being able to watch sports which are not normally shown on television. Before the Olympics I didn’t expect to love watching judo or find myself screaming at the television during a game of wheelchair tennis, but I really got into them. I didn’t know anything about goalball before the Paralympics but it became one of my favourite sports.

The organisation and the atmosphere

It took seven years of planning and 70,000 volunteers to make everything go well. Many people have said that the organisation was not as perfect as that of the Beijing Games, but there was a much better atmosphere which spread out through the whole city. The volunteers were always friendly and helpful and Londoners even began talking to each other, and visitors, on the underground trains!

Discussion

Do you follow the Olympic and Paralympic Games when they're on? What Olympic or Paralympic sports do you like? 

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Comments

Submitted by luvulills on Thu, 07/27/2023 - 12:54

I was only 5 years old when Olympics were in London so I coudn't watch it. And the first Olympics, that I really got interested in, was Beijing 2022. Figure skating was the most interesting sport for me during those Games. I rooted for my country team, espesially in Women Single Skating because our girls are most powerful skaters in the World. They literally completed to each other there and we expexted them to take up the whole podium. Anyway, the first 2 places were ours.

Submitted by carseatheadrest on Sun, 02/18/2024 - 08:07

good! but i think would be even better if you would mention your country that you rooted for

In reply to by luvulills

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Submitted by Tocoha1234 on Fri, 06/09/2023 - 00:24

In 2012 I was 1 years old so I haven't wach London Olympics. If I have any wrong in this sentence, please text me! :)))

Submitted by tamal on Wed, 07/26/2023 - 18:25

The text is very funny and the information very complete My favorite part was when the narrator told that the queen was launched by parachute

In reply to by Tocoha1234

Submitted by pomelo on Fri, 03/10/2023 - 14:13

I dont really remember about london olympics because i was too young for that

Submitted by Lorie on Fri, 12/16/2022 - 08:18

lol

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Submitted by Muhammad Hamay… on Fri, 12/09/2022 - 07:23

I don't like watching sports so I have not remember anything about the London Olympics. my country does not participate in the Olympic games.

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Submitted by anyaaa on Thu, 06/23/2022 - 11:18

in 2012 I was 5 years old, so I didn't watch the Olympics.

Submitted by 10AN615 on Tue, 06/07/2022 - 18:58

I was 6 years old and couldn't watch the 2012 Olympics

Submitted by aycauzz1 on Mon, 06/06/2022 - 16:16

I did not watch the 2012 London Olympics. I was small. But I know my country won 3 medals.

Submitted by vnlablue_ on Thu, 03/31/2022 - 13:37

I dont really remember about london olympics cuz i was too young for that haha

Submitted by dhadzikadunic on Fri, 12/03/2021 - 22:18

I was too young to watch London Olimpic Game but I like this blog about it.
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Submitted by Andrii on Tue, 05/25/2021 - 15:20

I didn't watch the Olympics in 2012 because i was just 6 years old.

Submitted by mariap_09 on Wed, 02/24/2021 - 15:19

The Olympics was incredible it's was the only that I saw and was the first time from Maria Pajón won a gold medal. That's was very enjoy !

Submitted by friv on Fri, 02/05/2021 - 21:51

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Submitted by Kostantinus on Tue, 01/19/2021 - 21:39

I will be honest with you. I didn't watch that Olimpic games. But thanks to British council shared with us this information. And the blog is very interesting.

Submitted by vyhoai61nna2 on Fri, 10/23/2020 - 13:30

Actually I did not watch London Olympic 2012. But I've heard about that too much things. Then, did my country win any medals? I;ve watched the U23 Asian Championship 2018. Although the U23 Vietnam team only won the runner-up, they played very bravely, effort and determine to bring pride for Vietnam. Curently, I am watching the Vietnam team to participate in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and the Vietnamese team has won many matches. I hope that the upcoming matches of the Vietnamese team will have even more great vitories.

Submitted by heinserberg on Sat, 09/26/2020 - 19:24

i don't remember much of the olympics and paralympics 2012, my country won one golden medal in cyclism

Submitted by haiduong on Wed, 09/23/2020 - 13:24

Let's be honest! I don't ever watch any kind of sports programs or live competitions. All I do is stay at home and stay comfortably in my bed. But I remember that one time, the national soccer team of my country, Vietnam won second-place at some kind of tournament. That was the only time I feel really excited and emotional about something other than Netflix and video games.
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Submitted by zagrybast on Fri, 08/07/2020 - 08:23

I don’t know how many medals won my country, because I’m not a patriot. But I watched Usein Bolt and his victorie! It was amazing! Also I watched a gymnastics, I was rooting for UK team. I liked Max Whitlock’s performance.

Submitted by Mamou1 on Wed, 07/29/2020 - 10:24

to be honest I don't have any memories of the London Olympics 2012 because I didn't saw it but reading what the blog write it's sound really amazing then thank's to British council to share with us this information

Submitted by 1831116178 on Fri, 05/22/2020 - 03:23

I remember that it was an edition of the Olympic games that I enjoyed the most, because the Mexican soccer team won the gold medal against Brazil, it was very exciting because the country had never won anything like this before. Mexico did not win as many medals, only 8, 4 bronze, 3 silver, and only 1 gold, but that gold medal is the most important.

Submitted by Analid on Fri, 05/22/2020 - 01:35

I like some sports, I love to see ice skating, rhythmic gymnastics and others, but if i remember the London games, I liked the participation of different countries.

Submitted by valeryy on Fri, 05/22/2020 - 01:22

When the Olympics were start, I was only 11 years old, I just wanted to see Disney movies or cartoons. My parents forced me to sit in the living room and see them at lunchtime. Actually many bored me, that was until I saw gymnastics and swimming. I really liked that from that moment on I didn't stop seeing him every day. I really liked artistic and rhythmic gymnastics. Then I started to see more sports, like watterpolo and archery. I remember that later my mom called me when it was Mexico's turn. I don't remember how many medals they won but now that I investigate it they were: 1 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze. In total 106 mexicans participated.

Submitted by magyy09 on Fri, 05/22/2020 - 00:45

I honestly do not have many memories of the 2012 Olympics, but when reading the blog, I remembered that they were one of the most significant Olympics for the reason of having great volunteers and having a great show for the many visitors from different countries. Also one of my favorites was the swimmer Michael Phelps who was very important in that event. Also one of my favorite sports apart from natacon is gymnastics. I do not remember exactly how many medals Mexico managed to win but I am sure that at least we did not go with our hands down, and the athletes gave the best of each of them, to raise our flag of Mexico.

Submitted by charli3996 on Fri, 05/22/2020 - 00:44

I love the Olympics, they are a very beautiful cultural event and athletes always achieve incredible things, it is always beautiful to admire the passion with which they represent their country.

Submitted by Athony on Sun, 05/17/2020 - 15:26

I am a big fan of sport but I don't really know about the Games.I was too little.But I remember that my father often stayed up late to watch football and something else.I sometimes watched with him too.Now I'm looking forward to the Tokyo Olympics 2020 which is delayed until 2021 because of corona virus.I'm really excited.

Submitted by bloomybloom on Thu, 05/14/2020 - 15:44

I don't remember anything about the London Olympics 2012 , I was so little haha , but I'm so excited to watch the tokyo olympics 2020 which are turned to 2021 because of corona virus :( :(

Submitted by audreeyy on Fri, 04/10/2020 - 19:59

unfortunately, I didn't watch the Londond olympics 2012

Submitted by peachygirl on Sun, 04/05/2020 - 11:32

I really like sports, especially basketball and volleyball but I did not see the Olympic games 2012, but I think my country ( I am from Russia) won a few medals. I remember the Soccer World Cup 2018 in Russia. It was great event. I watched it on TV, but I really liked it. Unfortunately, our country did not won, but I proud of our country, whatever.

Submitted by Makam on Sat, 02/08/2020 - 13:17

I think not.

Submitted by Elife on Sun, 02/02/2020 - 22:45

Unfurtunately, I don't watch the London Olympics 2012. I am sure that was fantastic! Therefore, I don't know exactly how many medals my country won.

Submitted by lkngan on Thu, 11/28/2019 - 09:48

I don't like sports so I don't track any sports events. But i really like this article.
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Submitted by pink1208 on Tue, 11/26/2019 - 15:23

I really like sport. I'm sorry because I didn't watch the 2012 London Olympics. However, I've watched the 2016 Rio Olympics. It was wonderful. That was an memorable Olympics for my country( Vietnam) because my country won one historic gold medal and one silver medal in shooting. I really admire Hoang Xuan Vinh who has brought 2 precious medals for Vietnam.

Submitted by Hiep on Mon, 11/18/2019 - 17:25

I have never seen LonDon Olympic 2012 But I watched the U23 Asian Championship 2018. Although the U23 Vietnam team only won the runner-up, they played very brave, effort and determination to bring pride. for the country of Vietnam. I was very moved when watching the finals of U23 Vietnam and U23 Uzbakistan on the snowy Changzhou Stadium (China). Currently, I am watching the Vietnam team to participate in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and the Vietnamese team has won many matches. I hope that the upcoming matches of the Vietnamese team will have even more great victories.

Submitted by Nini on Fri, 11/15/2019 - 11:36

I didn't watch London olympic in 2012 . I've heard team Great Britain to win 95 medals at London 2012

Submitted by Nguyenxhong on Sun, 10/06/2019 - 06:18

My family loves watching sports. In each world cup or Olympic seasons, we all gather together to enjoy those fiery matches. Although my grandfather was old, his love of sports was always fierce. When I was a child, every time I saw the Olympic he would carry me and sit on his lap to watch. Unfortunately my grandfather died two years ago. He always wanted to see the 2022 FIFA World Cup with my family . I miss him so much

Submitted by Eng_learner on Tue, 08/20/2019 - 14:23

Unfurtunately, i don`t have any memories of the London Olympics 2012. I am sure that was incredible! But I know axactly that my country won many medals. I admire our sportmen and women!! Hope you too.

Submitted by Ar13 on Sun, 06/23/2019 - 16:20

I really like this topic! I've already seen Olympics Games but only on the TV ( LOL). I love sports... I'm practicing karate since 7 years... And you? Which sport do you prefer?
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Submitted by pink1208 on Wed, 05/22/2019 - 17:37

I really like sport. I'm so sorry because I didn't watch the 2012 London Olympics. However, I've watched the 2016 Rio Olympics on TV. It was wonderful. That was a memorable Olympics for my country (Vietnam) because my country won 1 historic gold medal and 1 silver medal in shooting. I really admire Hoang Xuan vinh who has brought 2 precious medals for Vietnam.

Submitted by MinhTan on Wed, 05/22/2019 - 15:27

I don't like sport so i don't watch an Olympic Games.
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Submitted by Hoanghao251 on Thu, 05/16/2019 - 16:48

Sorry, but I have never seen olympic before.
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Submitted by tunglamsbtc on Thu, 05/16/2019 - 14:03

Actually i don't like watching sport programme. But i've watched some matches that Viet Nam played. That's interesting :v and what brought me undescribable feeling was when Viet Nam won the AFF Suzuki Cup 2018...
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Submitted by Haocbs on Thu, 05/16/2019 - 13:33

I have never seen the Olympics because I don't like sports but I admire athletes. They are talented and enthusiastic.

Submitted by Tuyen0803 on Thu, 05/09/2019 - 07:39

I didn't see an Olympic Games 2012 in London. Because I don't like sports at all when I was ten. I think I'll see Olympic in the future.

Submitted by Toan0312 on Thu, 05/09/2019 - 01:55

Actually I didn't watch London Olympics 2012. But I've heard about that too much things. Then, did my country win any medals? Yes, my country won 2 gold, 1 bronze and 2 silver madals. (Actually I searched it a few minutes ago :p but I'm proud of these informations.)

Submitted by Blinkforever258 on Thu, 05/02/2019 - 23:57

I don't know much about Olympic and also my country didn't participate in it

Submitted by DDOMMA on Mon, 03/04/2019 - 18:48

I didn't see an Olimpic Games 2012 in London, but i know that Ukrainian Olimpic team of different kinds of sport won 19 medals in disciplines like fencing, rowing, weightlifting, kayaking and canoeing, boxing, shooting and athletics. In this 19 medals were 6 gold, 4 silver and 9 bronze. I'm very proud of our sportsmens!, because thanks their diligence and hard work Ukraine take 14 place in the Olympiad in London.

Submitted by parsasoroori on Mon, 01/21/2019 - 17:05

I was a kid and I don't remember much things about Olympic 2012. The only think that my father mentioned about it, is China's economic growth in those years that Britons beg Chinese to stop selling dolls and other things include toys, clothes in England; because Olympic is a very good situation to sell a lot of things for a country and can help the economic of the country.
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