London 2012 has inspired many generations

Dear Sceptics, who’s laughing now? London 2012 has now concluded and after 18 days* of wonderful, spectacular sport, we have all of a sudden forgotten about the doubts and worries which we feared from the start. There was no problem with security as they did a terrific job and on the track, on the arenas, on the grass, we have seen the most tremendous sport I certainly have ever seen in such a long time. May I say that London 2012 has been more enjoyable than Beijing 2008? It’s not just because of how well Team GB and Iran, of course competing in their most successful Olympics, have done but despite the wonky preparations, we can all relax for two weeks before we start to enjoy the Paralympics.

Although I thought that the British stars sparkled on the biggest sporting stage of all, one man has lifted the spirits of the world and has developed from being a great athlete, to a "legendary", inspirational one. Usain Bolt made history in London 2012 by winning 100m, 200m and 4x100m races in consecutive Games – the first ever sprinter to do so. How does he do it, nobody knows but he’s certainly God’s gift and he is revelling it.

What I love most about Bolt is his cockiness. I usually despise people who love themselves too much but he does it with such dignity and he knows where he came from and communicates with his supporters with such delicacy. He is a unique sports star and also has his own Foundation supporting the current and future generations through culture and education. He is one of the most respected athletes in history and that will never change.

Team GB has inspirational stars of their own – Jessica Ennis for example was absolutely fantastic in the Heptathlon while Sir Chris Hoy overtook Sir Steve Redgrave in winning the most gold medals and Bradley Wiggins striding past the former rowing champion by gaining the most medals in British history alongside Hoy. Diver Tom Daley also deserves a worthy mention. The 18-years-old won bronze in the singles tournament and has already competed in his second Olympics. Despite his superb showing in London, he finished fourth in the pair’s competition with the whole nation in sympathy for the Plymouth-born teenager. Nonetheless, he represented his country the best he could and shouldn’t be ashamed of that performance.

However, Daley's fourth place finish brought some unwelcoming surprises. Twitter user (or newly termed “Twitter troll”) Rileyy69, wrote an abusive message to the diver saying the father of the 18-year-old, who died in 2011, would not be proud of him after his doubles performance. Initially, according to reports, the user apologised but was later arrested for causing trouble and distress for Daley. It has to be said that “trolling” has become an unwelcoming phenomenon. I should know. Recently I have been victim of such “crime”. When responding to Piers Morgan’s questioning Arsenal forward Robin Van Persie’s loyalty over his rumoured move to Manchester United, I responded to his tweet which sparked anger from other users which obviously disagreed with what I was saying.

I’ve had people disagree with me before through blogs, Facebook statuses and so on and I have been okay with it but for people to go out of their way to name-call and bully is out of order. Of course, I don’t have over a million followers like Tom Daley meaning he has the moral support from his fans. I let the abuse go over my head as my favourite saying goes “don’t let the minority ruin it for the majority”. However, it gave me a thought on the people who believe in the people who troll. Unfortunately there are plenty of vulnerable people across the world particularly among the youth. According to statistics, cyberbullying is on the increase with eight percent of the 12 percent who have been such victim, considered suicide after receiving this form of abuse. Thankfully, I have never been in that situation but some people have and it needs to stop. One way of doing that is to reduce the amount of cyberbullies. How are we going to accomplish this, we have to receive support from various campaign groups and so on but it's going to be a long, hard-fought battle.

Back to the Olympics action and another "honourable” mention goes to Piers Morgan. He has been championing British pride over the years by editing patriotic tabloid newspapers and being a judge on Britain’s Got Talent. During these Games, he has said he would pledge £1,000 to Great Ormond Street Hospice to every GB gold medallist who sings the national anthem, “God save the Queen”. Dated 9^th August, he has already put £26,000 to the charity organisation who obviously appreciates the generous donation, and the deserved publicity from a high-profile household name.

However, Morgan has attacked the likes of Bradley Wiggins, Ryan Giggs and Sir Chris Hoy for “refusing to sing” the anthem, denying him to increase his total amount to the Hospice. The national anthem debate has been an interesting one to say the least and I would like people to read Dominic Lawson’s column in The Independent dated back on 7^th August 2012. Although he acknowledges that the royal family has gained its popularity back after the British gathered in recent years to celebrate Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in 2011 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this summer. On the other hand, Lawson writes there is an increasing amount of people who no longer enjoy the "dirge" anthem - probably the Her Royal Highness included.

Piers would hate me saying this but I would probably be one of the people who’d “refuse” to sing Britain’s national anthem. I have been raised by singing “Land of our Fathers”. Even the thought now has got my blood rushing and even in Dominic Lawson’s column, he notes that the Welsh anthem is among the most popular (although some Welsh confess Sir Tom Jones’s “Green, Green Grass of Home” would make a better anthem). It is a complex issue and I don’t believe that people should be disgraced in public because they didn’t sing their anthem. Perhaps Piers Morgan is a cyberbully by publicly naming-and-shaming those who fail to sing their anthem but that’s a different issue altogether.

Meanwhile, it may be best to say massive congratulation to the BBC for covering a fantastic Olympic Games. I have been talking to various people who have been praising the fantastic research skills of Hazel Irvine, the brilliant insights from Clare Balding and the welcoming frequent appearances of BBC favourites, Jake Humphreys, Gary Linekar, Gabby Logan and Sue Barker. Also, it has been great to see the British press being at their best behaviour and providing coverage to remember. Some of which have been the best I’ve seen for a long time apart from the embarrassing puns "Tears of Hoy" and "MOmentus". Perhaps we should have London 2016 but I’m sure Rio would put on a spectacular show in four years time.

Not just the press but the politicians have been talking sense over the past two weeks. First of all, Mayor of London, Boris Johnson admits that UK wouldn’t want a “prat” as a Prime Minister (too late, Boris) but then comes David Cameron who has said something that I have to say, I agree with. He has confessed that there is a cultural problem in schools across Britain that children are becoming increasingly competitive which leaves the minority of children in the dark during PE lessons.

We can all picture the scene in films where the stereotypical overweight or geeky child would be last to get picked in a football match but unfortunately this is reality. I should know. I may be known as the one who writes too much but on the field, I have been usually been the person last picked for football or cricket games. Certainly, I will never be the best sportsman to grace a football pitch but I have always enjoyed participating so being picked last for a ten minute game at the end of a PE session was discouraging and potentially damaged my self-esteem. Some would be more upset than me but since I wasn’t that popular in school, I wasn’t expected to be the first picked for any game.

Attitudes need to change and although I emphasise that it’s the parent’s job to calm or boost their child’s ego but teachers can also play their role. Sometimes for example, my PE teacher would make me captain so I can have the power to pick my team and leaving me with no choice but to participate which is good but that’s a short term solution. In my opinion, teachers focus far too much on team sports and not on individual games. We did athletics such as long and short distance running but I’d liked to have played discus or swimming. Teachers need to find the strength from every student and although it’s good to focus on team games as Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland need to put out a decent football team, that’s never going to happen when those who think they are the best footballers actually cannot play at all.

Despite this, David Cameron mustn’t cut funding on elite sports. There have been major campaigns followed closely by athletes such as Laura Trott and Sir Chris Hoy who want to see participants do well in major competitions. I agree with the stars but with UK lacking the funds anyway, would it be a risk to dig more money out of our massive debt and yet not see much effect? Team GB are improving in each Olympics and the Paralympics promises to be record breaking. Cameron has to be inspiring and work with George Osborne effectively if he wants to see any improvements in their “Big Society”.

Regardless, I’d like to propose a toast to the incredible athletes who took part in a unique Olympics. I don’t say the word “pride” as everyone has a different definition of the word but I think I speak for everyone and say that I’m proud of the sports stars that have sparked some happiness to this country.

* - It technically has been 16 days but the Olympics football started two days earlier.