And the winner is.....

Without doubt, the greatest sporting year in history, easily surpassing the winning feeling of 1966 no doubt (although I'd have loved to have witnessed that for sure).

As the dust begins to settle after an epic parade, Andy Murray goes and wins the US Open in the early hours of this morning, fresh from his Olympic gold and silver medals... clear to see that London 2012 has kicked him on another level.

Absolutely no point in having Sports Personality of the Year... how do you pick from Andy Murray, Mo Farrar, Jess Ennis, Bradley Wiggins, David Weir, Rory McIlroy, Sarah Storey, Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendelton.... ahhh the list goes on!!

If 2012 hasn't put a permanent smile on your face and inspired your generation, clearly there is no hope for you!! Leave now..

Putting the GREAT back in Britain...

Never one for negativity, my views on London hosting the Olympics were always going to be positive ones. I wish, however, the same could be said for the many Facebookers, Twitterers and media outlets out there who preferred to dwell on the economic uncertainty instead during the build up.

Whilst the games were always going to cost a few quid, you can't put a price on morale and pride which seems to have returned in abundance last week. With some lateral thinking you can also see a better sporting infrastructure, transport network, regeneration of East London, current and future tourism, increased public spending, not to mention the inspiration to us and our children (I could go on!).

The eyes of the world are upon us and no one really cares about some of the logistical issues that ALL host countries have to overcome.

As a marketeer, ROI is a common concept to me, but I'm confident that London's ROI/legacy will continue to drag us into a more profitable and happier place.

I wish the Games lasted longer!

Olympic fever

As the Olympics enters into its 2nd week, it's been impossible not to get carried away with Team GB success. I've been one of the lucky ones having seen 5 different events already (Team GB football at Old Trafford, Wimbledon tennis, Team GB basketball, the cycling time trail and football at Wembley).

Whilst my quest and hunger for more tickets continues, I am now rapidly approaching my Gamesmaker stint for the Paralympics, made even more real by the collection of my uniform and accreditation on Saturday and the training session next Wednesday.

Details of my volunteering are still vague, but I do know that I will be based at The Grange in St. Paul's working as an IPC (International Paralympic Committee) assistant team member. 8 shifts confirmed 2:30pm til 8:30pm.

Very excited now.. and even have 2 tickets for the Paralympic athletics and the closing ceremony too to look forward to as well!

Watch this space...

Watching history in the making (Football)

Strangely it was the day before the Olympics officially started but yesterday provided my first taste of Olympic action. Old Trafford proved the perfect backdrop for 2 matches; Uruguay v underdogs UAE and Senegal v Team GB (first appearance since 1960!).



DJ Spoony interviewing Uruguay fan

A packed stadium showed the desire the public have to be involved in such a massive event (and for the reunion of England, Wales, Scotland & NI) but the constant booing aimed towards Luis Suarez clearly showed the venue was packed full of Liverpool haters! (not really in the Olympic spirit).

UAE provided a stern test for Suarez and co, surprisingly taking the lead. The game swung on a Suarez dive when the resulting freekick was perfectly curled in. That spectacular goal waas the catalyst for Uruguay to get the win but it certainly wasn't deserved and Suarez did no favours at all with his petulance.



UAE warm up

Final score 1-0.

It was then the turn of Team GB (Bellamy, Richards and Giggsy). It was a bad tempered match and the Senegalese were guilty of seriously dirty tactics but our boys showed they were up for the fight.

Man on the match Bellamy got a deserved goal before being hammered in the penalty box. Somehow the referee deemed it not a foul and Bellamy hobbled off to a standing ovation. That change proved to be decisive as replacement Ramsey gave the ball away at our corner and a fast breakaway got the equaliser.

Final score 1-1. The crowd were certainly disappointed but all was not lost.

I was then faced with the epic task of returning my father safely back to the Midlands before getting myself back to Wycombe. 2am landing on a work night Zzzzz.



Equipped with the flag