All of that planning will come to fruition this Friday when the curtain finally rises on the world’s greatest sporting celebration. Around 15,000 athletes, scores of visitors and the world’s media will be buzzing expectantly around the host city and other venues nationwide.
Naturally with a task so enormous, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. G4S has failed spectacularly to honour its contract, leaving the Government forced to draft in thousands of troops weary from war in Afghanistan and looking forward to summer leave. This has raised the debate on the dangers of privatising policing and security in the future. Heathrow has creaked under the visitor influx and high-profile legal wrangles over surface-to-air missiles on domestic roofs have been played out in court. And with increased security and the broadly-drafted London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act looming over the spectacle, fears that mass surveillance and loss of liberties could prevail linger still.
And yet excitement is rightly growing. News bulletins are full of all things Olympian and the event remains a real opportunity to showcase all that’s brilliant about Britain. On track and field the chances of home-grown success also look promising. Bradley Wiggins’ stunning victory in the Tour de France – a first for British cycling – is the best possible start. In tennis, Andy Murray will be hoping to convert his Wimbledon heartbreak into Olympic glory. And heptathlete hopeful Jessica Ennis, who missed out four years ago through injury, will be going for nothing less than gold. One can only hope that young people everywhere – especially those facing adversity – will find inspiration for their own dreams and endeavours.
So despite some concerns, there’s plenty to smile about. Nearly 10million spectators and a global television audience of around four billion will be watching eagerly come Friday and hoping that the authorities, organisers and athletes will do London, the United Kingdom and the Olympic spirit proud.
