So what of the Olympics? Well my lucky daughter got to go to the final day of the gymnastics thanks to a competition win by one of the her friends. Between work and special needs I have struggled to watch much of it, but I loved parts of the Opening Ceremony and the heartwarming stories and the amazing performances, and the medals that the Irish are starting to win, with the golden hopes of an entire nation on the shoulders of a young woman from Bray in Co. Wicklow today. The wonderful Katie Taylor.
Watching Katie made me think about the sporting moments that stick in my memory and really they are all athletics, well maybe apart from Llanelli beating the All Blacks in 1972 during the glory years of Welsh Rugby.
Here's my list, what's yours?
Sonia O'Sullivan winning the silver medal in the 5000m at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. I love this video of her career highlights.
Watching Roger Black win anything, but especially his silver medal in 1996 at the Olympics in Atlanta where he was only beaten by the awesome Michael Johnson.
I dared to hope that Irish sprinter Paul Hession might achieve something unexpectedly amazing when he made history in 2010 as the first Irishman to qualify for the finals of the 200 metres in the European Athletics Championships. He ran 20.71 seconds, finishing in 6th place.
My own golden moment and the sweetest revenge on my games teacher who once accused me of cheating when I set out with the second group on the cross country run and caught up with the first:
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| (It says Knightsmead Half Marathon Winner 1987) |
And for me the most inspiring run ever was Liz McColgan winning the 10,000m in the 1991 Tokyo World Championships by leading from the front and never EVER giving up. Watch the last few minutes here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhoE8Jjv7xs
Have always had a crush on seb coe does that count?
ReplyDelete@northernmum - no way!
ReplyDeleteThere've been lots of moments from London 2012 - Jessica Ennis winning, Mo Farah's win, the incredible Usain Bolt, Andy Murray's win... other personal memories for me include running (and hating) Cross Country because a boy I fancied was in the team. Unfortunately he was very good and I wasn't. He was five miles ahead of me the whole time so didn't even know I existed!
ReplyDeleteAh, the mighty All Blacks! Love them! x
ReplyDeleteWonderful moments....and sweet revenge, love it! Lets hope we can have many more Irish successes, we need more targeted investment ;-)
ReplyDeletexx Jazzy
(PS...so glad we wrote completely different posts, phew!)
grogeous moments
ReplyDeletelove your trophy
None come to mind for me because I have not really watched the Olympics as a rule in my life....is that sad?
ReplyDelete@Molly - it was an absolutely amazing Olympics for the UK, but in fact Ireland achieved its best result in 60 years too :)
ReplyDelete@The Bright Side of Life - yep, you've gotta love 'em! x
@jazzygal - I agree about the targeted investment, a proper plan is needed I think: the talent is certainly there xx
@Floortime Lite Mama - thank you
@Lora - I know that not everyone is into the Olympics, it would be a boring world if we were all the same, wouldn't it?
It's been fab hasn't it?
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVED the win for Katie Taylor in the boxing. Also loved Nicola Adams win too.
Jade Jones was AMAZING - she only lives down the road from me so need to go and snap a photo of MC by her gold post box :)
@Heather Lucas - Oh yes I heard about the gold post boxes, such a lovely idea, especially for a photo :)
ReplyDelete@Heather Lucas - Oh yes I heard about the gold post boxes, such a lovely idea, especially for a photo :)
ReplyDelete@Heather Lucas - Oh yes I heard about the gold post boxes, such a lovely idea, especially for a photo :)
ReplyDeleteGosh yes, I remember Liz McColgan in '91. She was just brilliant. Absolutely LOVED the Olympics this time round - normally I'm a little non-plussed unless it's athletics or gymnastics. But this time I loved it all (except the football), even though I didn't get to any of the events.
ReplyDeleteFavourite moments:
The 45 mins with 3 GB golds - Jessica Ennis, Greg Rutherford and Mo Farah and Mo getting his 2nd gold.
The first GB gold for Helen Glover and Heather Stanning - watched on laptop with both Little C and I shouting at the scream and jumping up and down.
Wished I'd caught the opening ceremony but I was at the Birmingham Hippodrome with an old friend watching the Dirty Dancing stage show! :D x
Gosh yes, I remember Liz McColgan in '91. She was just brilliant. Absolutely LOVED the Olympics this time round - normally I'm a little non-plussed unless it's athletics or gymnastics. But this time I loved it all (except the football), even though I didn't get to any of the events.
ReplyDeleteFavourite moments:
The 45 mins with 3 GB golds - Jessica Ennis, Greg Rutherford and Mo Farah and Mo getting his 2nd gold.
The first GB gold for Helen Glover and Heather Stanning - watched on laptop with both Little C and I shouting at the scream and jumping up and down.
Wished I'd caught the opening ceremony but I was at the Birmingham Hippodrome with an old friend watching the Dirty Dancing stage show! :D x
@Beadzoid - I'm so glad that someone else remembers Liz McColgan :). And it sounds as though you had a great Olympics x
ReplyDelete