When Jessica Ennis won her gold medal in the heptathlon the country exploded with joy and pride for her fantastic achievemnt, the same goes for Bradley Wiggins and my personal highlight of the games the amzing Mo Farah. Who is so modest and lovely that every time I see the playback of him finishing his races my heart bursts with pride and joy for such a beautiful man. The ethos for these games was always about inspiring a generation, and I truly feel that this has been achieved.
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| Young athletes light Olympic flame |
The athletes competing in the games are amazing role models for so many people and it would be fantastic if younger generations began to look up to true sporting heroes instead of looking up to the latest 'celeb' from reality TV, who's only achievement is their ability (which i have to admit is a pretty impressive feat) to actually overcome gravity and stay upright with two giant balls of silicone attached to their chests! For young, impressionable girls in particular the wave of strong female athletes provides a stark contrast from the over airbrushed celebs who usually grace our television screens and advertise our shampoo, and it is a change that is more than welcomed. In today's age so much emphasis is placed upon the way we look not what we do and people look up to the most beautiful people, regardless of whether they have made any real discernible achievements in their life. But with the Olympics people have begun to have strong, hard-working, determined and equally beautiful women to look up to and take inspiration from. Jessica Ennis, Victoria Pendleton etc are fantastic role models for young people, not only showing how far hard work can take you, but also showing people that being super skinny isn't the most desirable thing. For these athletes their strong, muscular bodies, are not seen as being unfeminine but are a sign of their power and ability to perform-hopefully showing people that being stick-thin isn't always the most desirable thing, it is about being comfortable in your own skin and recognising all the positives about your body and yourself. So if your thighs are naturally larger than a twig or your shoulders are broad it is not something to be ashamed of, it is something we should embrace- just think what an amazing cyclist or swimmer you could be!
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| not going to lie though, I would kill to have her body! |
But they have also shown that you will in life inevitablly face many crushing blows and great disappointment that feels at the time as if the world is ending. But the grace with which the athletes handle disappointment is a true testament to the sportsmanship of most sports and of the games itself. The athletes who don't win medals are equally inspiring showing that whilst you may not always succeed at first, it really is taking part that counts. My heart breaks every time I hear an athlete ,who failed to qualify or get one of the elusive medals, apologise for letting everyone down. After a few tears have been shed (what can i say these games have broken me) all I can think is how they truly haven't let anyone down- no one will be more disappointed than themselves and it's unfair for anyone else to add to this, all I want to do is give them a huge Steve Redgrave-esque hug! I've never really understood the whole "as long as you tried your best thats all we can ask" spiel that has been dished out since year six SATS- for me (warning personal demon about to be revealed) I have always felt like if I don't succeed I obviously haven't tried my best. But watching these athletes give their sport their absolute all and pushing themselves to the absolute limit of what they are capable of, but still not achieve all they set out to do, has genuinely showed me the truth behind that saying. its not possible to always succeed at everything (unless your Michael Phelps, I bow to you great Olympian) and therefore the true test of character comes with how you deal with the apparent failure.
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| Training partners Farah and Rupp showing true sportsmanship |
All the athletes have truly inspired me, not only to get off my lazy ass and do some exercise (instead of just lounging on the sofa eating toblerone as I watch them do all the hard work) but they have inspired me in all aspects of my life- they have shown that if you work hard it is possible to reach your goals and achieve your dreams. So whilst I am truly saddened by the fact that the Olympics are over I cant help but think back to the seven young athletes who lit the flame way back at the opening ceremony- representing a generation inspired by sport and by the games, showing that London 2012 will never truly be over.
