Well Boris certainly pulled one out of the bag. Surely the London 2012 Olympic Games will be remembered by many as a games that was participated in by not only the Olympians, but also by the spectators and volunteers.
As a Kiwi living in London and having lived in Sydney during the 2000 Olympic Games, I thought them unbeatable. I had my doubts whether London could cope with such an event. The traffic, the threat of terrorism, the G4S debacle, the unpredictable weather and the economic gloom all fuelled my scepticism as to whether or not London could pull it of. But pull it off London did.
At a post Olympic press conference yesterday is was said by a journalist that the Australian Prime Minister had claimed that the Sydney Olympic Games were still the best ever. They were indeed wonderful and I have no doubt that Boris was right to respond that it was the Prime Minister's duty to say as much, but I also have no doubt now that she was wrong. London easily outshone Sydney. The venues were stunning; the opening ceremony highlighted the scale of British history; the crowds flowed effortlessly in and out of the venues; the public transport was impeccable; and the spectators turned up, rain and shine to applaud and support every participator, not just their British compatriots.
Even from the badly mismanaged security something good came out of it at the eleventh hour - the Army. What a joy to see these brave men and women, impeccably dressed in their uniforms and deployed in such happy and joyous circumstances for a change. They appeared to love being a part of it and the crowd loved them being a part of it too.
I attended the Beach Volleyball at Horse Guards Parade and the Diving at the Olympic Park and couldn't fault the venues, the queues, the transport, and the helpful and friendly volunteers. I was especially impressed with the design of the Olympic Park, which was made to look like an English garden. What other Olympic stadium have you seen with wild flowers, trees, grass and a river?
One can become blasé living in London, yet there is such a richness of culture here, a culture steeped in history and diversity. The opening and closing ceremonies were triumphant on many levels. They were defined by the temptation resisted to portray Britain as being all about red buses, Bobby's helmets, telephone boxes and regal pageants. These usual suspects fail to explain or even begin to represent a nation bursting with energy, creativity and humour. The explanation for this lies less amongst its icons but more in the back story; the people's story, the social story of these bustling and crowded islands. Without even the faintest whiff of the Empire we were treated to not only the history of British brawn and brains, but also its post war release from the chains of conformity. We witnessed London's enduring appeal to people from all over the world as a, or possibly the, truly global city. Tolerant, edgy, eccentric, energetic and compassionate. This is the London and the Great Britain we saw on those two memorable nights and even if some of the jokes went over some foreign heads, the message was clear and spectacular.
Some may have called this the Crying Games and I admit I cried along too. How could you not be affected by the four or more years of sheer focus, discipline and dedication these athletes have shown to their sport, and the joy they showed in being honoured for their achievements?
The Brits may be a reserved bunch, but underneath lurks a passionate, exhilarating and inclusive nation - a nation who shaped this event by their support and enthusiasm for the Games. There's no doubt in my mind that the crowd made the Olympics. Flags were waved, faces were painted, and Union Jacks were turned into outfits. People got into the spirit of it and the excitement was tangible. Even the athletes commented at how they've never seen a crowd like this at an Olympic event.
The London Olympic Games gave the Brits licence to show who you truly are and you turned up, smiled and made it happen - and for that, you can be very proud.