I vaguely remember bits of the Seoul Olympics but Barcelona is the first games I remember following properly. Victories for Sally Gunnel, Linford Christie, Chris Boardman, Redgrave and Pinsent and the Searle Brothers had me completely engrossed and started something that, frankly, verges on addiction.
A time difference not conducive with getting up for school the following day spared me the lows of Atlanta but late night coverage from Sydney suited student life perfectly and I’ve hardly missed a British medal since. So last week, I was screaming at the TV as Street’s James Guy anchored the British team in the 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay holding off the Japanese for an excellent silver and again on Saturday, when he was swimming head-to-head with Michael Phelps in the 4 x 100m Medley Relay. The greatest Olympian ever only just got the better of James but it means he brings two silvers back to Street next week.
Burnham-on-Sea’s world champion Liam Phillips is the top seed for gold in the BMX cycling so fingers crossed that he makes Friday’s final. Whereas supporting James was a very late night activity, Liam’s event is much more reasonably timed so I hope you’ll tune in at 7.10pm to cheer him on.
After an early summer full of political uncertainty, angst and division; it is wonderful to see the country coming together to celebrate the excellence of our sportsmen and sportswomen. Sleep is so easily forsaken for the chance to enjoy moments of British sporting brilliance. And nothing raises our collective spirits more than an Olympic medal rush.