London 2012 Sees the Return of Cool Britannia

Perhaps you were like me in thinking this years’ Olympics was going to be a bit “London 2012, will I even watch it? It’s all in London anyway…I don’t even really like sport”. There was so much secrecy surrounding what was going to happen at the opening ceremony and in the end it’s become a bit marmite, people either loved it or hated it. I personally found the whole thing confusing and stereotypical but I also have friends who absolutely loved it and stuck with it for the entire three and a half hours. Yet now half way through the games, I’m jumping and screaming as Sir Chris Hoy wins Great Britain our 22nd Gold Medal. I, like every other female in the country, was keen to watch Tom Daley dive (in his mini-swimmie) and from then on I was hooked. Now, no matter what I’m doing, if I’m home the Olympics are on my TV. With the red button the viewer can choose what sport to watch, I have to admit I find the weightlifting too nerve-racking but who knew slalom canoeing could be so thrilling?

It’s impossible to leave the house without a sense of pride as I see another positive Olympic headline or telling someone how proud I am of our athletes! The whole nation has pulled together to support them and we’ve truly captured that one of a kind British spirit. It’s phenomenal to see the Royal family in the crowd at so many events too, The Duchess always looking gorgeous and Harry and Will smiling away as they cheer our very own on!

The Olympic competitors have been preparing for the London 2012 for years, their whole lives are scheduled around training and I bet they never have a ‘day off’ the diet. The amount of hours they spend devoted to their sport should surely inspire us to do even a little. A few friends of mine have even joined the gym purely feeling motivated by this years’ games.

It is incredibly refreshing to see, not only talented, but beautiful young women representing our nation. Their hard work and dedication is truly inspirational, they are the perfect role model for young girls to look up to. Completely different than the likes of TOWIE convincing anyone they can be a success story with a bottle of fake tan and a pair of eyelashes. Jessica Ennis is set to make over £5m in sponsorship deals after taking gold in the heptathlon, well-earned and rightly deserved.

Some of the Olympians are only 15 or 16 years old, it makes you question what you’ve been doing your whole life, doesn’t it? Teenage girls in schools across Scotland refuse to take part in PE in case it “ruins their hair or make-up”. Having seen the likes of Olympic athletes, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Beth Tweddle and Vitoria Pendleton in action still looking gorgeous, it might inspire them to even take part and be fit and healthy.

After winning his gold medal in tennis, our very own Scot Andy Murray said he was inspired by Mohammad Farah’s immense time when he won his gold medal in the 10,000m run. It’s unbelievable how one Olympians’ hard work and commitment can encourage another’s, regardless of their sport. Speaking of Moh Farah, I absolutely loved the footage of the BBC presenters jumping up and down as he was first to cross the finish line!

People are very dismissive saying, “oh Stella McCartney designed Britain’s outfits for the Olympics” but do they actually realise how much attention to detail was paid? From Tom Daley’s “little thing”, as Stella referred to it, to Sir Chris Hoy looking like a real life Superhero in his cycling jersey, Team GB look first-class in their designer attire!

It’s not just us caught up in the Olympic excitement, our heroes are too. Twitter has been over flowing on a daily basis with tweets from celebrities congratulating the British Olympic medallists! Andy Murray’s girlfriend tweeted the cutest picture of their two border-terriers wearing his gold and silver medals. While Piers Morgan is donating £1,000 to Great Ormond Street every time a British winner sings the national
anthem.

Of course it’s not just Team GB that has me glued to my seat, who wasn’t excited to see the fastest man on earth, Usain Bolt, set a new Olympic record and win gold? Or feel moved because Michael Phelps has swam his last Olympic length after his incredible achievement of 17 Gold medals?

The Commonwealth Games will be hosted in Glasgow in 2014, how exciting for Scotland! We should strive to keep the Olympic vibe going as in only two years’ time we will all be part of sporting history, once again, and the setting of new world records. I don’t know about you, but I definitely want to be there cheering for Team GB!