Just in case you haven't noticed I should probably point out that there's a bit of a sporting event going on in London at the moment. Although technically it's not just in London as there are Olympic football matches all over the country and sailing down on the coast and probably a few other events in other places that technically don't fall within the London postcode district.
As long as you're aware of Lord Coe's "sports day" then you must also be aware of how amazingly well Team GB are doing at the moment. Gold medals have been coming in thick and fast, but in addition to the 18 golds that we currently have we also have a pretty spectacular 11 silver and 11 bronze at the time of writing. That's 40 medals in total and others are guaranteed in some sports. It's a spectacular tally and these sportsmen and women are inspiring the next generation of athletes. How refreshing it will be to have children who want to be Jessica Ennis or Bradley Wiggins rather than some "celebrity" from Big Brother or similar.
Not everyone gets a medal though, but that doesn't mean that they've failed in any way. These people have dedicated hours, days, months and years to training for these games and they have proudly represented their country. Every single one of them has made sacrifices and gone through physical torture to wear a Team GB strip and compete on behalf of us all at these home games. Yes obviously everyone out there would like a medal, they'd be lying if they said they didn't, but the fact is that not everyone can.
What has shocked me with these games are the number of athletes who have broken down in tears apologising to everyone when they haven't won a medal, or won the medal that they were expecting to. Being upset is understandable – human nature – but please, please don't apologise. You've gone out there and done something amazing. You've represented your country at a home Olympics. Something that so many of us could never imagine doing and you've done it with pride. We know how much you've put into these games and the sacrifices that you've made. You've all put everything into trying to win and for that you are applauded. You have not let anyone down – not the public, your team or your family. They are all so, so proud of you. You've united the UK in a way that so many thought impossible just a year ago as riots raged in London and elsewhere.
Team GB have excelled themselves these games and the country is rightly proud of them – all of them. Not just those atheletes that ended up on the podium, but all those who started and all the people working "behind the scenes". They are a team in the true meaning of the word. Other sports teams should take note of this moving forwards – yes I'm looking at you footballers – this is how sportsmen and women should behave!
Well said!