Team GB Delivers the Gold Again!

Watching London host, broadcast, and support the greatest Paralympic Games in history has made me even more impressed and proud of the great country of Great Britain.  These games have been every bit as exciting, attended, talked about, watched and cheered as the regular Olympics.  The stunning performances  and the personal stories of the athletes have been so moving and inspiring. I've always been a huge fan of the Olympics but now I'm an even bigger fan of the Paralympics.   I'm so very glad I got to see a part of them.  I'm sad to see them end.  

A TV commentator said that the joy, excitement and sense of pride the England has felt this summer from the Diamond Jubilee to the Olympics and the Paralympics, has made a permanent positive mark on the psyche of this country and  impression of Great Britain to the world.  Being here this summer certainly has made an unforgettable mark on me. 

The Closing Ceremony with the Band Cold Play and Rihanna. Photo by Denise Williams.
I watched the closing ceremonies on TV.

North Greenwich Arena near Olympic Park hosting  Basketball and Wheelchair Basketball competitions

Go Team GB

The arena an hour before the game -- before it was full of spectators.

The Netherlands creamed the U.S. Women's Team

The Paralympics Logo

The two teams greeting each other before the game

I just couldn't capture in a photo the grace in which these athletes move

Thank you, Thank you, London!

"Brilliant"; "Unexpectedly Spectacular"; "London Rocks"; "Our Finest Hour!"; 

"We Did It Right!"

These are some of the headlines from the London newspapers describing the last 16 days here in England.  The Olympics have exceeded most Brits  expectations and they are deservedly pleased and proud of their city, their athletes, the volunteers, and the fans.  

Thank you, Thank you, London for a fabulous Olympics!

Francie and Steve Hoffmire came for a wonderful visit and to enjoy the games.

Kate and Peter came too and were able to join us for the last day -- the men's volleyball gold medal games.  

What a treat to have these two staying with us for a week. 

Men's Gold Medal Game: Brasil vs. Russia.  Brasil won the first two game and almost won the third game.  But the Russian team hung in there and won the third, fourth and then fifth game.  

Sad to see the games end.  So proud of London and Team GB! 

My favorite Olympic athlete of these games:  Guor Marial. As a child born in war-torn Sudan, he saw 28 of his family members killed, including eight of his 10 siblings. He was beaten, enslaved and only escaped by running, literally, to his freedom.

Now immigrated to America but not yet a citizen, he competed here in the marathon, only not for Sudan. He refused that. A new nation, South Sudan, has been formed, but it had no Olympic committee. So Marial was allowed to come under the IOC flag – to compete as a citizen of the world and force the rest of us to remember the mountains some have to overcome just to have a chance.

"The Olympics," Marial said, "reminds you of a world which has nothing to do with killing each other. It is about a world of living peacefully."

Keep Calm and Go For the Gold

A wish come true:  the chance to attend the Olympics

Horse Guards Parade: Beach Volleyball  Men's Quarter Finals

Sharing the game with Kate & Steve and Francie Hoffmire       

Nose bleed seats....last row!  Great views of the London skyline 

U.S.A. Team (Gibbs and Rosenthal) vs. Latvia

Spectacular Venue

3 games -- each one so close

Sadly, Gibbs and Rosenthal lost

I was so impressed with the venue, the crowd control, the cheerfulness of the volunteers, the goodwill of the fans, and the overall organization of the event. Well done, London!

The Olympic Torch in Oxford

The Olympic torch came to Oxford last night and this morning.  John and I went to see the relay early this morning at Iffley Bridge.  It was quite the production.  There were several police on motorcycles, followed by the sponsors buses, the sounds of music and  DJ announcers from the top of the buses.  At last came the torch bearer.  It was fun to see. 

The relay route started this morning from the track in Iffley where, in 1954, the first mile was run under 4 minutes.  It concluded at the end of Iffley Bridge where the torch was packed into a bus and taken to the next relay village, Abingdon-on-Thames. 

This was at 7am on Iffley Bridge

I don't know who the torch bearer was

The crowds were very enthusiastic

The historic significance of Iffley