There is something distinctly different about these Olympics than any others that have preceded it...
It's not just that these will be the best supported Games ever in terms of attendance---despite misgivings about some empty seats,blamed on either corporate sponsors not taking up their allocation or the "Olympic Family" not doing so---To see stadiums full to the brim on qualifying days makes me very proud of my fellow Brits.It's easy to pitch up when gold medals are at stake but we are filling up every event before that,and making noise...
Boy are we making some noise! Every competitor in every event,from the Swimming to the Rowing,to the Hockey,Cycling,Gymnastics,Boxing and Athletics has remarked on the support given by the crowd.Even Andy Murray, who has played in some of the biggest Tennis games on Earth, has remarked on this being the best atmosphere he's encountered.
The World view of the British as a coldly reserved people may have to be revised...
But this is also the first Olympics where social media outlets--most notably Twitter & Facebook---have taken on a prominent role.Yes these were around during the Bejing games but it's safe to say the popularity of them,especially Twitter,has risen tenfold since then...
Suddenly we all have instant access to what is happening and we can all put our tupp'ence worth in too.It's as if we are all now an integral part of the games...Many of Britain's top athletes have been Tweeting,thereby giving us a direct route to them without having to wait for official press interviews...Obviously they have been advised not to say anything outrageous but that would be the same with a mic stuck in their face.
I know that BBC radio & tv Olympic presenters all have Twitter as i am following many of them.This is where you get the real feel for the games both good and bad.Indeed the power of Twitter was evident yesterday when the wonderful Claire Balding issued and apology on air from the swimming pool when she made slightly disparaging remarks about Becky Adlington missing out on gold...Personally i had no problem with what she said as it was an honest assessment from a journalist.But she felt the need to issue a statement on air after her Twitter account exploded with indignation from many who follow her...
Twitter/Facebook also gives us in the UK a chance to see how the rest of the world are reacting to our efforts in hosting the games.Not just from worldwide media outlets but form normal sports fans who're on Twitter/Facebook.We all like to see how the rest of the world see us,especially if it's favourable!
There's also outlets like Instagram where we can instantly view punters pics from inside stadiums.
Now that the Pandora's box of social media outlets has been opened it cannot be closed,it will just continue to grow and with it the relationship between these massive worldwide events and the world of Twitter will become much more important.Bring it on i say...
As for the Olympics themselves highlights for me so far have been..In no particular order---The British Cycling team who've not only won numerous golds but smashed many world records.
Gabby Douglas the Afro-American Gymnast who won gold.Her displays have been amazing.Also the British Gymnastic team have surpassed expectation...
Katarina Johnson Thompson in the Heptathlon.She's understudy to Jessica Ennis but for me stole the show.Before her opening discipline she looked around the full and very noisy Olympic stadium and mouthed "Oh my god wow!" she went on to record three personal best's...A massive star in the making.
Michael Phelps.The swimmer supreme.21 medals now in Olympics and also comes across as professional and likeable...
Chad's Dad...If you're not aware of this fella look him up on You Tube.He's the dad of South African swimmer & gold medalist Chad Le Clos.Got interviewed by BBC and became an instant cult hero...
Finally the biggest highlight ha been the British crowd...One word; Awesome!
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