Hosts make maximum use of Olympics

Dinesh Weerawansa Reporting from England

Britons have gone crazy with their capital hosting its third Olympic Games. London is the only city to host modern summer Olympics on three occasions - in 1908m 1948 and now in 2012.

The hosts are making maximum use of the opportunity they got as the sports-crazy nation is having a great time with the 204-nation Games. In what the Britons call “the greatest summer ever”, a new era has dawned in British sport as the people across the country are enjoying the great atmosphere in true Olympic spirit.

Thousands of people across the UK are enjoying live music, have-a-go sport sessions whilst watching the Olympic Games action on the big screen at ‘live sites’. This is apart from over 200,000 sports fans who come to the Olympic Park daily either to witness Games action at nine venues inside the park or to hang around outside venues to catch the excitement.

It was estimated that over 500,000 people had packed to live sites to catch the Olympic action away from venues during the weekend. The ‘Park Live’ excitement is presented by Britain’s national carrier - British Airways and it has become the place to celebrate for those coming to the Olympic Park. Recently the site has welcomed the host Great Britain team, including Rebecca Adlington and crowds of up to 10,000 have celebrated medal successes into the evening.

British Telecom’s ‘London Live’ in Hyde Park shows premier Olympic Games action on five giant screens. The excitement reached the peak with a surprise appearance by Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins. It’s proving to be a great family day out full of live music performances, a children’s area and have-a-go sports activities.

People who come to these live venues are ‘served’ with a great mixture of live music, cultural events and three giant screens that are also on offer. Apart from these, Victoria Park live venue has added features such as zip-line, BT Observation wheel, zorbing and bungee trampolining.

The Olympic fever has not only hit London but the cities all round the United Kingdom, apart from billions of television audience. People across the UK are also soaking up the Olympic atmosphere by heading to one of the 22 Live Sites in their region. Sailing fans have enjoyed days out on the beach at the big screens at Weymouth and Portland and the nearby sports arena has seen young sports fans trying their in hand in a number of sports including sailing, rugby, cricket and football.

Meanwhile, Oscar Pistorius insisted he was not at the London 2012 Olympics to prove a point as he was eliminated from the men’s 400m. The 25-year-old, who made history by becoming the first amputee sprinter to compete in an Olympics, finished last in his semi-final in 46.54 seconds.

The public support for the South African, known as Blade Runner, is almost unrivalled. The roar which greeted him when he was introduced to the crowd was loud enough to rival that which welcomed British competitors in front of their host nation fans.

Pistorius, whose aim had always been the semi-finals, said: “I am struggling to find a way to describe it. It is really humbling all the support I have had. It has been an unbelievable experience. I didn’t come here to prove a point. I wanted to do the best I could possibly do and push myself as hard as I can”.

The four-time Paralympic champion, who had his lower legs amputated at 11 months old after being born without a fibula in either leg, swapped name bibs with Grenada’s Kirani James after the race after the world champion approached him.

“When we crossed the line, for Kirani James to give me his number shows the kind of sportsmen we have in the Olympic Games,’ added Pistorius, who will also be seen in action at the men’s 4 x 400m relay.

LONDON, Monday.