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London 2012: Final Thoughts Thread
Now that it's all more-or-less over, and that TeamGB's medal hopes are done with, what are our final thoughts on this summer's Games?
Firstly, i think it's very important to differentiate between TeamGB's performance at the Games, and whether the Games were a success themselves.
Logistically, it all seemed a bit of a nightmare, tbh. The website was near impossible to use for most people. There were LOTS of empty seats until LOCOG started giving tickets away to schools and army people during Week 2, and the whole overzealous sponsorship stuff really sticks in my beak. Other than that, yeah, fine.
As for TeamGB's actual performance, well, quite good, but mainly in sports we knew we'd excel in, such as cycling and rowing, other stuff you play sat down. Sadly, we fell short of the extended medals target of 70. Given that, can we deem our performance a success...well, in some sports; boxing, for instance, some of the more tedious longer athletics, yes. Generally, not sure, but let's just say yes to avoid rows.
For me, it was quite disappoting how everything felt like it fizzled out. The second week felt very flat, despite stuff like Mo Farrah's second gold, and that girl being a bit better at kicking than the Chinese one. Better scheduling of events needed, FOR SURE.
Will the Games have any real legacy? Short term, i think so, yeah. We'll see the immediate financial boost to some sports ahead of the new football season really kicking in, which is nice. Long term, i dunno, i have my doubts. Watched The News last night, and they were going round parts of LONDON within walking distance of the venues, and it looked like a third world country. I hope money will be going towards making these areas habitable for people.
Overall, i have to admit, the Games went a LOT better than i expected them to. I was one of those naysayers who was predicting the most laughaby shit Games ever games. Bar the above teething problems, and of course Boyle's cringeworthy £30m opening ceremony, they've actually been quite enjoyable, though i can't bring myself to think that £345m per gold medal represents value for money.
So yeah, a big well done to London, Kent, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Weymouth, Coventry, Glasgow, Cardiff, Manchester and Newcastle for hosting a thoroughly memorable London 2012.
Scorewise, i have no qualms about giving it a very credible 7.5/10.
(trolls at both ends of the spectrum - the "it was shit" cretins, and the "it was the BEST GAMES EVER!!! 10/10" simpletons will be ignored. Let's all just celebrate and be nice!)
A good summer.