Month: August 2012

Standing Up for an Olympic Legacy

Standing Up for an Olympic Legacy

GREAT Britain campaign launches in Toronto

A leading article in the Times newspaper catches my eye;

“There is a small collection of things that this country is very good at.  Literature, pharmaceuticals, comedy, financial services, funny opening ceremonies, healthcare.  And cycling.”

It makes me think.

Beyond a number of sports, what IS it that Britain remains world class at, in 2012?

I pose the question on Twitter;

Aside from certain sports (come on Team GB!)… What would you say Britain is still world class at? 

Here are some of the replies…

Bespoke clothing

Politeness

“The literary and dramatic arts (we’ve always been a bit duff at the visual ones). We’re strong on creative industries generally”.

“Design ( Mr Ive), Innovation ( Mr Berners-Lee) Music (take your pick) Film ( Actors, Directors & Crew), Plus ‘Fairness'”

Theatre

“Cynicism and self-depreciation unfortunately. Let’s hope the amazing job we’ve done with the Olympics changes that”.

Galleries and Museums

“Military pageantry & most things military (which don’t involve large nos of soldiers) – training, special forces, being kickass.”

“Hi tech engineering ( F1 ) high class universities, Royalty ( We are REALLY good at that)”

“Our retail sector is one of the best in the world – lots of choice/range/convenience/quality”

“Entrepreneurs, inventors, food, Financial Services.”

” UK is leading the way with social enterprise!”

“Branding and advertising”

The British Government is currently running a GREAT campaign around the world. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office site explains;

“The GREAT campaign is designed to use the platform of the Games in 2012 to showcase Britain’s capabilities, to promote and enhance our reputation abroad and to maximise the economic potential of the Games”.

“The GREAT campaign invites to the world to take a fresh look at everything Britain has to offer. It centres on areas of British excellence focusing on reasons to invest in and visit the UK. These areas are Technology and Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Creativity, Knowledge, Green, Heritage, Sport, Shopping, Music and Countryside. We want to send out a clear message that Britain is one of the very best places in the world to visit, live, work, study, invest and do business”. 

This is a powerful message to send to the world, and I just hope that it resonates back home in Blighty too.

Planet Mars

I was struck by the words of Professor Colin Pillinger (the man behind the Beagle 2 mission to Mars, which was lost on landing), writing in today’s Sun newspaper;

“Where would this generation be without the space programme?  People wouldn’t be watching the Olympics on the other side of the world; you wouldn’t be talking on your mobile phone.  It also inspires children to study science and technology.”

In the coming weeks, much will be written about the Olympic Legacy.  Already, a worrying amount is being asked of schools and “The Government”, when I would rather be plotting how to engage more brands, parents and volunteers in schools.

We tend to think of this concept of an Olympic Legacy literally.  More rowers, cyclists and athletes please.  A healthier, more active nation.

This is important and exciting.

How equally inspiring to imagine a country which looked at itself in the mirror with fresh eyes.

Yesterday, the BBC’s home affairs editor, Mark Easton tweeted something interesting and entertaining;

Each gold is like a motivational trainer telling Britain: “You know what? You are way better than you think you are.”

I agree.

So yes, to more cyclists.

And yes to more world-class tailors, writers, designers and engineers too.

I don’t think that it’s unrealistic for the one to inspire the other.

As others have remarked, we have won a terrific number of medals for sports which involve sitting down.

If anyone in Britain is even remotely interested in helping young people to do something exceptional with their life, now is the time to stand up and be counted.

 

 

London 2012: Top Ten Moments…

London 2012: Top Ten Moments…

The London Olympics are in full swing and, as friends may have noticed, I’m absolutely loving them!

Here, in no particular order, are my top ten moments so far…

1) Matthias Steiner (Beijing Olympics).  This got me started before the games had even begun.  Not for the easily moved, this is a clip of a German weight-lifter at the Beijing games.  For me, it sowed the seed of the idea that sporting achievement happens against the backdrop of a person’s personal life and challenges.

2) Chad’s Dad. When Chad Le Clos beat Michael Phelps in the pool, many may have been surprised, however few will have cheered louder than Chad’s dad, Bert.  Here he is, talking about his ‘beautiful boy’.  I think that Bert deserves his own show…

3) Mo’s final lap.  Mo Farah winning the 10,000 metres has to be one of the most incredible moments of the Games.  I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been asking local pub landlords to ring a bell as I go past on my evening run…

Here’s a clip of the BBC commentators watching his final lap;

4) Jessica Ennis.  The face of the Games.  And didn’t she live up to it?  A modern champion.  Humble, likeable and very, very talented.

Jessica Ennis

5) Boris dangles from a zip-wire.  For many (in fact most politicians), such an incident would have spelled political ruin.  For Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, getting stuck on a zip-wire was yet another opportunity to secure his reputation as Britain’s most recognisable and, dare I say, most loved politician.

Oh Boris...

6) “We Won The Olympics”.  When Sophie Hosking and Kat Copeland won Olympic Gold in the women’s rowing, they looked at each other in disbelief.  It was Kat’s wonderfully childlike phrase which will be remembered though… “We Won the Olympics!”

7) Seb Coe meets a Doctor.  Lord Coe describes his most powerful memory of the Games as the moment he met one of the Games Makers (the Oympic Volunteers) on the tube.  The man, Doctor Andrew Hartle had been involved in treating patients in the wake of the 7th of July bombings, and explained;

“For most of the last seven years those two events – the award of the Games and the July bombings – have been pretty inextricably linked.

“I found the opening ceremony really quite cathartic. It really gave me closure. London is now known for something else – it is known for hosting the Games. Being part of it has been an astonishing experience.”

Lord Coe said;

“That really summed up to me what the volunteers are doing here and that is a conversation I will remember for the rest of my life. That was a seismic moment in terms of conversations I’ve had with volunteers.”

Listen to a recording of Seb Coe telling the story on BBC Radio 5 Live.

8  The Opening Ceremony.  Specifically, the moment in  which Danny Boyle’s incredible chimneys rose from the floor of the stadium.  I watched with millions as the Victorians arched their backs in awe;

Olympic Stadium rehearsal of Opening Ceremony.

9) Lizzie Armitstead.  I must confess, there are a number of stars of the Olympics who I had not heard of before the Games began.  Lizzie Armitstead was one of them.  She won Great Britain’s first medal of 2012 and, alongside millions of others, I discovered one of our incredibly inspiring athletes. Humble, ambitious, refreshing.

10) Olympians supporting Olympians.   I found it inspiring to see a Knight (Sir Chris Hoy), still massively in his element, winning Gold for Great Britain.  I also enjoyed seeing his support for his fellow athletes in other disciplines, using Twitter.  It is this kind of camaraderie, between athletes, hosts, Londoners and visitors, which has typified the Games for me.

So that’s it.  Some funny, some serious.  Some we may forget in a few weeks.  Others we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.

What are your favourite memories from London 2012?