In all of the immediate categories that matter, the staging of the London 2012 Olympic Games was a success.
Security, transportation, venues, efficiency, the character of the city, the show and the performance of the hosts in events combined for a simply wonderful show.
There was cynicism associated with these Games. In a recession, the British argued, too much money was being spent and they would be a colossal failure. Many left the country to distance themselves.
However, the dreaded fear that thousands would be inconvenienced as they attempted to go to and from work never materialized. The “stay ahead of the Games” campaign to help locals plan their schedules was largely unnecessary.
There were a few delays and some breakdowns, but no more than normal. Sadly, one cyclist was killed by a media bus.
After G4S revealed they were unable to adequately provide security for the Games, members of the British army were called in to supplement and it proved to be a masterstroke.
Although many of them were baby-faced young men and women, the efficiency with which they manned the security checkpoints was reassuring.
According to one BBC report, it also brought a “face” and humanity back to the army and raised the public profile. Security was good, sometimes too good. You simply couldn’t walk for more than three feet without someone asking to see your pass and there were no reported security breaches.
Everything started on time. Information was always available and in a timely manner.
London itself was transformed from a cold, impersonal city with thousands of volunteers easily identified by their clothing and always ready with a helpful smile. Even the average commuter no longer avoided eye contact and everyone was smiling.
It helped that Team GB had its best performance in more than a century. No British team had performed this well since the 1908 Games.
Britain were third overall in the medal table behind the United States (46-29-29-104) and China (38-37-29-87) with 65 (29-17-19) medals; surpassing the 47 (19-13-15) won in Beijing.
Then, there was the show, starring unforgettable characters such as Usain Bolt, of Jamaica, Britons Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah, Sir Chris Hoy and even Zara Phillips, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II.
If Bolt had set Beijing on fire, he burned hotter than the unique cauldron in London. Plagued by doubts entering the Games, he set a new Olympic record in the 100 metres and might have done so in the 200 if he hadn’t felt a twinge in his back. Then, he came back to anchor the 4x100m relay team to an unbelievable world record of 36.84 seconds.
Jamaica captivated London with their performances and many non-Jamaicans were draped in the flag, all wanting to be part of the successful Caribbean nation.
Overall, the Caribbean had its best performance in the history of the Olympic Games. Bolt aside, the most rewarding of those were the gold medals won by Grenada’s Kirani James and Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago.
They proved that against the odds, with a lot of hard work and a bit of luck, you can be a champion.
Barbados needs to go back to the drawing board for the umpteenth time and see where we continue to go wrong.
Winning a medal isn’t easy, but we have to put our athletes in the best physical and mental state to do so. We can’t be contented with just participating. No one else is.
Still, it was pleasing to see Ryan Brathwaite looking like a world contender again and his upward path is expected to continue.
Greggmar Swift and Shane Brathwaite did very well to reach the Olympic Games and with a bit of luck, both could have reached the semis.
Along with Ramon Gittens, they must be seen as an investment and the nucleus around which to build for Rio 2016. Some are at college now, but in four years they won’t be and that is when the local support will be critical.
Kyle Maxwell impressed, both for his strength of character and the way in which he approached his fight. Again with a bit of luck, it could have been a different result, but he needs to be in an environment where he can compete against the best to be the best.
Sadly, this may be the end for Bradley Ally who suffered the hardest blow of all, falling ill in the middle of his preparation. An injury could have been diagnosed. A silent illness is cruel because you aren’t aware and can’t start treatment.
If this was the end for Ally, he can hold his head up high for having represented Barbados with distinction over the years. His legacy to swimming is there for all to see.
What Barbadian sports administrators learn from the London Olympic Games and what action they take remain to be seen, but it is clear that it can’t be business as usual.
