Three cheers for London 2012!

Quote

“We play best when we’re together. Maybe that’s what we really want from all public art – not insight or knowledge but an excuse to get together in a state of pleasant perplexity, to be part of each other’s lives. Because, in the end, what matters most to us is each other.”  Frank Cottrell Boyce, from the Opening Ceremony Programme of London 2012.

News

Once the glow of fireworks died out from the closing ceremony, and the party music faded, the legacy of the London Olympics has been debated in Britain this week.  What will be the lasting impact to the nation of winning 29 gold medals and spending £9 billion of public money on the event? 

Most discussions focus on the twin issues of economic and sporting benefits to Britain, but for many visitors to the Games, whether or not their team won a medal, the most memorable part was the atmosphere.  Smiling volunteers, polite policemen, strangers chatting freely, public transport running on time… even the weather was fine.

So three cheers for London 2012; the first cheer is for the many displays of courage and sportsmanship by the athletes; the second for the organisation of the Games, which despite the fiasco around security just days beforehand ran remarkably smoothly.  The third cheer is for the spirit of goodwill which permeated the venues and spilled out into the city.

It was not only Danny Boyle’s opening ceremony that cast light on our national identity as Brits.  Despite ourselves – especially our default mode of expecting things to go wrong, then wagging the finger in blame, and being stoical in defeat – we have discovered that we can still pull off a highly complex event on a national scale with quiet confidence, a pleasant attitude, and good humour all round. 

These are the values which helped create the unique experience of London 2012.  Perhaps the most valuable legacy, therefore, might not be measured in tourist pounds or increased fitness, but in the relational capacity for kindness, for cooperation, and for celebrating the best in others – even when times are challenging. 

Read on...

David Cameron attributes Olympic success to two things, competitive spirit and volunteering; the latter is what lies behind his stalled ‘Big Society’ initiative.  To read the Jubilee Centre’s thoughts on what will make the Big Society work, click here. 

Walk the talk

The intention to volunteer for a local project or cause can easily be forgotten if we only consider it as individuals; why not ask a couple of friends if they would like to join you in some initiative and start helping out together?

The last word

From the Bible, Proverbs 15:30 “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.”