Does anyone else feel a sense of sadness now the Games have ended? Is this what they call an ‘Olympic Hangover?’
While watching the Olympic flame go out while watching the closing ceremony, the feeling of post-Games despair kicked in.
"It’s crazy to think how watching a global event can take over your life. It’s almost like climbing the biggest mountain and once you get to the top, what’s next?
Thankfully there will be no more late nights or group chats in WhatsApp going off at 4am!
It’s not as though the world has ended but merely the fact that we must wait another three years to do it all over again.
Credit to Japan for being superb hosts to not just the athletes but to the world.
As Thomas Bach, President of the IOC said in his speech in the closing ceremony: "Thank you to the people of Japan in staging the most logistically challenging Olympic Games in history.”
When it comes to hosting, Japan is known to be a global powerhouse on the international stage, but everything was stacked against it since the start of the global pandemic.
Despite the complexities of Covid, state of emergency order, no crowds and constant scrutiny from the press, they really need to be commended for their grace and organisation.
Having travelled to Japan on several occasions as an athlete, I was always impressed with the attention to detail, so the high level of coordination doesn’t surprise me.
Watching the Games has given everyone that much needed boost we needed after the last 18 months. Although this Olympic experience was unique, the memories will last a lifetime.
The success of Team GB equalling their medal tally from London 2012 didn’t come as a shock. Whilst there were few disappointments, many raised their game on the big stage.
Included were some familiar faces who managed to win more medals to add to their growing Olympic collection.
The ‘Darlings of Cycling’ Jason and Laura Kenny became Britain’s most successful male and female Olympians who now amass a total of 15 Olympic medals between them. I thought winning one was hard enough but 15 is truly staggering.
How do you even top that? I guess we’ll have to wait and see in Paris 2024.
There was a lot of talk about medals during the games but as we all know winning isn’t everything.
These games go far beyond the medals. It represents hope in the world. Personally, it took me until my third Olympics over the course of an 18-year career in sport to finally achieve the highlight , but not everyone is so fortunate.
What about the athletes who dared to dream and still walked away empty handed? Or those who return home to debt and financial struggle after spending their life savings on becoming an Olympian?
There are no guarantees. I have seen far too many former Olympians having their finances diminished in pursuit of glory for their country which is why the aftercare of athletes is just as important as performance.
Let’s just hope the IOC can open their purse to the athletes right through Paris and beyond.
Winning an Olympic medal, let alone gold is one of the hardest things anyone can do.
People forget there’s a whole qualifying process to go through first and then you still might even make it.
Did I forget to mention the athletes did all of this during a global pandemic? And let’s not forget the physical and mental turmoil each athlete has had to face before, during and after the Games.
Therefore, we shouldn’t listen to those that say, 'it’s gold or nothing' - would you rather take advice from an “armchair sports fan” or someone who tried their damn hardest to achieve their childhood dream?
Those who truly understand what it takes get it and the ones who don’t shouldn’t matter. It is about being secure in giving your all.
I hope the athletes enjoyed the daily reminder of this from the anonymous Japanese local who became a viral sensation. He was the man who would stand outside the village with a sign every morning during the Games saying, ‘Good Morning Athletes! Even if you don’t get a medal, you’re still the best! So believe in yourself!'
These are people who truly matter. I just hope he has the same placard in three years’ time.
So often we look through the prism of medals but it’s much bigger than that. It’s the joy of competing, it’s hearing an athlete’s personal journey, it’s the personal sacrifices many have had to endure.
With the way the world is now, there are so many stories about human achievement that can’t be distinguished with a medal.
The success of the new Olympic sports proved to be a hit. My favourite one was Climbing. Watching these real-life spider men and women had me on the edge of my seat and now it’s forced me to go to my local leisure centre and try it out.
This is what we call ‘the Olympic effect’. Kids and adults up and down the country are now in pursuit of greatness. Not for some of course, but for the next generation of Olympians.
I wonder how breakdancing will fare at the Paris Games. I’d be keen to try it, but knowing me, my body will tell me otherwise if not before my poor knees start screaming at me! I’m sure it’ll be highly entertaining, nonetheless.
So, as we return to normal(ish) life, I hope everyone watching the games was able to see or at least find a little bit of themselves in each athlete.
Whether it’s Alyson Felix becoming the most decorated track and field athlete in history. or Alice Dearing becoming Team GB’s first female black swimmer, I hope everyone was left inspired.
Besides, we have three years to do it all again and by then I hope to be in the comfort of the Stade de France, croissant in hand and I might have even finished my cardigan I started after the Games.
Has anyone got Tom Daley’s number?
