 |
| Source: hd-wallpapers.com |
I think it's safe to say that the Olympics fever has taken over the country. It was a slow burner with me though. It's been on the back of my mind of course, I knew it was going to happen, but it was still a muffled thought, kind of like the noise of the air con which you're aware of but decide not to think about it too much. But then it got big! The day I accidentally saw the Olympic Torch on Commercial Street just outside the All Saints shop where I was trying to return something, I felt the beginning of my excitement. I suddenly got really emotional about this historical event which was taking place here, in the city where I live!
And then it got bigger! I guess I thought I could just ignore it the best I could - aren't we Londoners just so good at not making a big deal out of things? -, try to get my daily routine disrupted as little as possible and hope for the best in terms of transport and the rest. Until I realised I am actually getting really excited about this whole thing, that I am looking forward for the masses of people flowing into town, bringing along noise, smiles, hope and just a little bit of something else. Oh, and I suddenly became desperate to get tickets, as I had none. But the Universe helped me and I got two tickets already in the first week of the Olympics. I went to see Beach Volleyball and the Women's Fencing Team Final and loved every minute of it.
Other than perceiving the Olympics as a worldwide celebration and an amazing event for our city, it also got me thinking about sports and what being an athlete means. I thought about my growing up in Romania and of how minimal sports facilities and opportunities were available for most people. I remember having begged my parents to let me pursue a sports and they didn't know how to break it to me that it was close to impossible for me to do that as the closest sports club was in a different city. I remember how little sport was promoted and how in school we couldn't care less about the gym class. I feel like I've been robbed of something really important. Not only that, as the old Latin saying goes, a healthy mind exists in a healthy body, but the benefits of sports and physical exercise and incommensurable when it comes to building character (you can read a bit more about what are the positive effects of team sports, in the article I wrote for the Bitch-online magazine.)
I literally only got into exercising approximately 5-6 years ago when I started running. It followed with various types of classes and gym routines. I can't imagine my life without it since. I got into team sports last year when I joined the company softball's team and I am desperate to try my hand and more sports, see myself getting better at something while enjoying the company of others. I can see myself becoming a better, stronger person and thankfully I am in the best place in the world to try all these sports I was denied when I was younger: the host city of the Olympic Games.
Talking about being inspired and inspiring others: thank you, London 2012!
