On my way home so far every thing has gone smoothly the station staff set ready for me and now I am on the train for Leeds. If the train is on time them I should be home by 3:30pm.
What I am feeling now is an anti-climax after all the excitement of the games. I am still cannot believe that I was part of it, I am waiting to wake up and find it was all a dream; but it is not a dream.
I have not only the memories but also the uniforms that I was issued with and all the accessories I doubt that I will use them as I do not want to spoil them!
I will see every one at training tomorrow.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday 11 August 2012
Friday 10 August 2012
Team Finals
I did go and watch the water polo and managed to see the extra time played by Hungary and Australia which Australia won then it was the USA against Spain though Spain scored the first goal the USA went on to win the match and the gold medal by 8 goals to 5 after the third quarter the USA led 6--2 but Spain scored 3 goals in the final quarter and had they not keep hitting the woodwork would have result could have been different, I counted at least 4 time they almost scored in the second half . It was still a great achievement as it is the first time that spain have entered a woman's team in the Olympics and the USA have had a team in since it was introduced.
Been out this morning trying to solve a logistics problem, how do I get five bags home, I came down with two and gained three more because of all the uniform and extras that I was issued with, this has resulted in me using up to much battery so now I have to stay in my room for at least an hour to charge my batteries to ensure that I do not run out of power this afternoon.
Any way that is enough of Water Polo, and my problems. now to the main course the team finals. As expected the finals were spectacular the Russians did win but for entertainment Canada, and Team GB were tops followed by Spain but where it it counts, the technical and artistic marks the Russians were on top. The Chinese did a good routine with few faults but could not overall the Russians who won gold by two points. Spain took the bronze and Team GB maintained sixth position.
The pool was noisy so much that we had difficulty hearing the start of the music on some routines but not the Egyptians, this started with a bang, literally! I keep saying those watching on television were missing a spectacular, which at this level, Television cannot do the sport justice. If any one was able to watch in 3D they may have got a different perspective.
I am glad that I was here to witness this and be part of it. I feels as though I have become an Olympian myself.
Been out this morning trying to solve a logistics problem, how do I get five bags home, I came down with two and gained three more because of all the uniform and extras that I was issued with, this has resulted in me using up to much battery so now I have to stay in my room for at least an hour to charge my batteries to ensure that I do not run out of power this afternoon.
Any way that is enough of Water Polo, and my problems. now to the main course the team finals. As expected the finals were spectacular the Russians did win but for entertainment Canada, and Team GB were tops followed by Spain but where it it counts, the technical and artistic marks the Russians were on top. The Chinese did a good routine with few faults but could not overall the Russians who won gold by two points. Spain took the bronze and Team GB maintained sixth position.
The pool was noisy so much that we had difficulty hearing the start of the music on some routines but not the Egyptians, this started with a bang, literally! I keep saying those watching on television were missing a spectacular, which at this level, Television cannot do the sport justice. If any one was able to watch in 3D they may have got a different perspective.
I am glad that I was here to witness this and be part of it. I feels as though I have become an Olympian myself.
Thursday 9 August 2012
Tech routines
It appears as though there are several City of Leeds swimmers down for the games. Bumped into Anya Finch ( not literally) in the Westfield Centre this morning and I know that Megan Knight will be at the team finals tomorrow. If any one else is down tomorrow then the Knight's and I are meeting up after the event for a meal and catch up so come along and join us if you want. text 07973123480 for the meeting place
Did my "tourist' bit this morning and got a few photographs of the Olympic Park, but as I have said before I would have difficulty getting round all the venues as it is a large area. As I am typing this blog I have my wheelchair on charge so that I can go out tonight
Now about what I we are interested in, the Synchro', after the technical routines Russia are in first place with 98.2 and Chinese second with 97.00, Personally I think that China had the better routine but only just. Spain is in third position and GB in 6th.
The routines were very good and entertaining from all countries, it is easy to see the difference between the top countries and the rest, but having said that Team GB are rapidly catching up so may be in Rio we could see them on the podium. I did see errors in Team GB's performance and they did stand out compared with Russia, China and Spain the final results will be on the Olympic web site. So now for me it is get something to eat then may be go and watch some more water polo I think that it is the women's final tonight between the USA and Spain or I may just go to Canary Wharf for a meal as Central London is too much hassle and not having a full battery means that I cannot travel any distance
Tomorrow is the final day of competition and I am looking forward to some great performances and I want Team GB to move up at least one place,
Did my "tourist' bit this morning and got a few photographs of the Olympic Park, but as I have said before I would have difficulty getting round all the venues as it is a large area. As I am typing this blog I have my wheelchair on charge so that I can go out tonight
Now about what I we are interested in, the Synchro', after the technical routines Russia are in first place with 98.2 and Chinese second with 97.00, Personally I think that China had the better routine but only just. Spain is in third position and GB in 6th.
The routines were very good and entertaining from all countries, it is easy to see the difference between the top countries and the rest, but having said that Team GB are rapidly catching up so may be in Rio we could see them on the podium. I did see errors in Team GB's performance and they did stand out compared with Russia, China and Spain the final results will be on the Olympic web site. So now for me it is get something to eat then may be go and watch some more water polo I think that it is the women's final tonight between the USA and Spain or I may just go to Canary Wharf for a meal as Central London is too much hassle and not having a full battery means that I cannot travel any distance
Tomorrow is the final day of competition and I am looking forward to some great performances and I want Team GB to move up at least one place,
Wednesday 8 August 2012
Day off (2)
Did go to a water polo, and watched Spain against Montenegro, Montenegro won by 11 goals to 9 though at one point Spain was three gaols behind and pulled the deficit back to just one goal. Though the match was interesting, I could not spend an entire afternoon watching the rest of the matches
The number of people sporting their national flags either as stick on tattoos or as clothing is a sight to be seen, and especially the team GB supporters. As I have said before the atmosphere is worth being here, 205 countries have sent competitors the this Olympics and I think that the have brought there legion of supporters. When the games are on I have great difficulty in getting around as I am having to negotiate people who do not see me, though most people when they notice me do make way. Only on a couple of occasions have I had to stop and wait for someone to move.
Tomorrow is the technical team routine so is not a long session and on Friday the team finals. I think that the team event will reflect the Duet event in that it will be the same three countries in top spot but what order I do not want to guess.
Tickets
Are still available but you need to continually try and try and try.
They keep getting released in small groups, usually at 8am or 11.30pm. We just got some for the handball and ... Wait for it the Synchro team final. they are accessible seats but none were available a few days back, so they are slowly drifting onto sale.
There were a few empty seats at the duet final on Tuesday, so keep ringing for latest ticket news. I found that speaking to them gives the most uptodate situation so don't give up when the recorded messages tell you nothing's available.
Trevor.
Sent from my iPad
They keep getting released in small groups, usually at 8am or 11.30pm. We just got some for the handball and ... Wait for it the Synchro team final. they are accessible seats but none were available a few days back, so they are slowly drifting onto sale.
There were a few empty seats at the duet final on Tuesday, so keep ringing for latest ticket news. I found that speaking to them gives the most uptodate situation so don't give up when the recorded messages tell you nothing's available.
Trevor.
Sent from my iPad
Day Off
To day is a day off for me so I do not know exactly what I am going to do, I was thinking of going into London but I am limited to where I can go as only the DLR is fully wheelchair accessible. All central London tube stations are not even accessible for me so I cannot go to Soho or Covent Garden where there are several vegetarian restaurants and cafes, though I can use buses it will take so long to get anywhere it would be a toil of a pleasure e.g it would take an hour from the hotel to get to covent Garden using tube and bus where as if I could walk or not require step free access then it would only be half-an-hour journey , so I may stay in Stratford and got to some of the events in the Aquatics and Water Polo venues, though I would like to have a decent vegetarian meal rather than the ones that are offered with either cheese or egg. There are a few places that do vegetarian dishes that do not contain cheese or eggs but the choice is limited.
Any one with a commentary earpiece from the Nationals at Gloucester should bring them as the can probably be used in the Aquatics centre, it will save you £5.
Any one with a commentary earpiece from the Nationals at Gloucester should bring them as the can probably be used in the Aquatics centre, it will save you £5.
Tuesday 7 August 2012
Duet Finals
Last night I had to stay in the hotel as I had used up my battery power with my little exploration of the olympic park!
This morning I went and saw some of the diving and when I left the british diver was in 11th position which means that he could be in tonights final at 7:00pm. There was on more round in the event but I had to leave, so that I could get something to eat and change into my official uniform ready for the Synchro'. Some of the dive ware poor scoring as little as 3.5 though one diver did get a 9.5, yes they were Chinese, when I left they were in first and second place
Now to the important matter; the duet finals, the wining order was Russia, Spain then China wit GB holding on to 9th position. Personally I think that , Russia apart, most of the routines were swum to a higher standard than yesterday especially Spain who changed positions with China. Any one with Sky, Free-sat or cable would have been able to watch the event on TV, but TV cannot transmit the atmosphere that was there. I pity any one in the cheap seats as they would have missed the little nuances that made some of the routines really entertaining.
I liked the canadian routine as it did fit well with the music and it came across as a fun routine that they enjoyed doing. The Italian Duet did the same duet as they did in the test event and the mirrored action was again good. Jenna and Olivia put everything they had into their routine.
Tomorrow is a day off then it is back to it on Thursday with the Technical Teams then the final on Friday
This morning I went and saw some of the diving and when I left the british diver was in 11th position which means that he could be in tonights final at 7:00pm. There was on more round in the event but I had to leave, so that I could get something to eat and change into my official uniform ready for the Synchro'. Some of the dive ware poor scoring as little as 3.5 though one diver did get a 9.5, yes they were Chinese, when I left they were in first and second place
Now to the important matter; the duet finals, the wining order was Russia, Spain then China wit GB holding on to 9th position. Personally I think that , Russia apart, most of the routines were swum to a higher standard than yesterday especially Spain who changed positions with China. Any one with Sky, Free-sat or cable would have been able to watch the event on TV, but TV cannot transmit the atmosphere that was there. I pity any one in the cheap seats as they would have missed the little nuances that made some of the routines really entertaining.
I liked the canadian routine as it did fit well with the music and it came across as a fun routine that they enjoyed doing. The Italian Duet did the same duet as they did in the test event and the mirrored action was again good. Jenna and Olivia put everything they had into their routine.
Tomorrow is a day off then it is back to it on Thursday with the Technical Teams then the final on Friday
Monday 6 August 2012
Duet Preliminaries (free program)
I put in a spelling test yesterday did anyone spot it?
Has any one managed to watch the event on TV? if you have then you should have seen someone you know!
I had a wonder round part of the Olympic Park this morning though I cannot go into any venue. other than the Aquatics. the closest venues to the Aquatics are the Athletics and WaterPolo, other arenas are a fair distance away though they are easily accessible by following the signs but be prepared for a good walk. there are plenty of refreshment outlets so you will not starve or die of thirst as you perambulate around the site.
Today was the Free Routines for duet and today and yesterday's results are combined to find the 12 teams to swim tomorrow in the final. The provisional results are that Russia, China, and Spain are still in first, second, and third and GB in 9th position which means that the are in the final tomorrow. you can get the positions on the British Swimming Web site as they are updated constantly.
Again some good routines the Canadian duet were especially entertaining though the Russian duet was the same as they swam at the test event it still came across as fresh their final preliminary score was 196.6 only 3.4 below a perfect score I think that Spain has done a slight alteration to the one they used at the test event. China was not as entertaining but the precision of movement and synchronisation were excellent.
As I said in my last blog from the test event television cannot do justice to the top teams as you cannot see the amount of travel in the routines but with the overhead camera you will be able to see the patterns better than I could. Any one with 3D television would have been in for a treat if it was shown in 3D. Another innovation that can show the sport off better is the shots taken at the surface of the water and showing both above and below water at the same time.
Roll on tomorrow and see what Jenna and Olivia can do
Has any one managed to watch the event on TV? if you have then you should have seen someone you know!
I had a wonder round part of the Olympic Park this morning though I cannot go into any venue. other than the Aquatics. the closest venues to the Aquatics are the Athletics and WaterPolo, other arenas are a fair distance away though they are easily accessible by following the signs but be prepared for a good walk. there are plenty of refreshment outlets so you will not starve or die of thirst as you perambulate around the site.
Today was the Free Routines for duet and today and yesterday's results are combined to find the 12 teams to swim tomorrow in the final. The provisional results are that Russia, China, and Spain are still in first, second, and third and GB in 9th position which means that the are in the final tomorrow. you can get the positions on the British Swimming Web site as they are updated constantly.
Again some good routines the Canadian duet were especially entertaining though the Russian duet was the same as they swam at the test event it still came across as fresh their final preliminary score was 196.6 only 3.4 below a perfect score I think that Spain has done a slight alteration to the one they used at the test event. China was not as entertaining but the precision of movement and synchronisation were excellent.
As I said in my last blog from the test event television cannot do justice to the top teams as you cannot see the amount of travel in the routines but with the overhead camera you will be able to see the patterns better than I could. Any one with 3D television would have been in for a treat if it was shown in 3D. Another innovation that can show the sport off better is the shots taken at the surface of the water and showing both above and below water at the same time.
Roll on tomorrow and see what Jenna and Olivia can do
Sunday 5 August 2012
Olympic duet preliminaries.
Today was the first day of the synchro at the Olympics. 24 duets with Russia, China and Spain in first three positions, GB are 8th or 9th. Tomorrow we do it all again with the free duets. Then on Tuesday the finals.
The standard is high most duets were in the 80's but Spain scorer 96.00 China 96.1 Russia 97+
The timing and execution of the routines was very good to excellent, the GB duet was fast and I could not see much wrong with it though I did see some errors in synchronisation. The cheer that went up when they came onto the poolside was deafening it was so loud that I could hardly hear the announcer!
The atmosphere is great and the crowds make it great to just be here. As the hotel is close to the Athletics it is possible to here when a GB athlete has won. It is possible to visit the Olympic Park but there is an entry fee. As I am typing this blog I can here the games makers giving instructions to the crowds trying to get to and from the park
Sent from my iPad
The standard is high most duets were in the 80's but Spain scorer 96.00 China 96.1 Russia 97+
The timing and execution of the routines was very good to excellent, the GB duet was fast and I could not see much wrong with it though I did see some errors in synchronisation. The cheer that went up when they came onto the poolside was deafening it was so loud that I could hardly hear the announcer!
The atmosphere is great and the crowds make it great to just be here. As the hotel is close to the Athletics it is possible to here when a GB athlete has won. It is possible to visit the Olympic Park but there is an entry fee. As I am typing this blog I can here the games makers giving instructions to the crowds trying to get to and from the park
Sent from my iPad
Saturday 4 August 2012
Olympics (day one)
I have collected my uniform and accreditation so I now feel that I have "arrived". Great fun I had, first the transport sent to take us to the Uniform Distribution and Accreditation Centre could not take me, so I had to use the Docklands Light Railway and was told to go to the wrong way in the station. To return to the Hotel the sent me a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle which was refused entry onto the Olympic Park! everything was quickly sorted and I was dropped off at Stratford International Station which is next to my hotel. To night I am attending a Gala Dinner at the Natural History Museum for all the FINA officials at the Olympics. As someone else brought my uniform back to the hotel I will not be able to send a photo' to day but I will try to do so before Sunday
Friday 3 August 2012
Olympics (day one)
I have collected my uniform and accreditation so I now feel that I have "arrived". Great fun I had, first the transport sent to take us to the Uniform Distribution and Accreditation Centre could not take me, so I had to use the Docklands Light Railway and was told to go to the wrong way in the station. To return to the Hotel the sent me a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle which was refused entry onto the Olympic Park! everything was quickly sorted and I was dropped off at Stratford International Station which is next to my hotel. To night I am attending a Gala Dinner at the Natural History Museum for all the FINA officials at the Olympics. As someone else brought my uniform back to the hotel I will not be able to send a photo' to day but I will try to do so before Sunday
Thursday 2 August 2012
Olympics
On the train to London will arrive in Stratford at 14:10 then straight to the hotel to book in and meet up with the other officials no doubt. The rest of the day is my own as I'm do not collect my "uniform" until tomorrow. I will try and post a photograph of me in it tomorrow. on Friday I will be attending a gala dinner for all FINA officials.
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
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