Jolly Good Show! London Is Ready!

1908, 1948 and now 2012!  These are the years that London has played genteel host to the Olympics and yes, by Jove, London is ready!  There has been much question about whether she would be ready but, of course, in total British fashion, she IS ready to greet her guests and we have no doubt that it will be a wonderful few weeks.

The Olympic torch arrived in London on Saturday and has been traveling around that amazing city, including a trip on the London Eye observation wheel.
    
It arrived at Buckingham Palace today, Thursday, where The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, aka Wills and Kate, and Prince Harry were awaiting its arrival.  Oh, so very much going on!  We Two Chums are looking forward to following the Olympics, as are these three Royals.  Apparently, they have been very excited since hearing that the Olympics would be staged in London and have stated that they want to be as involved as possible.  We, no doubt, will see them at many events.  As far as we are concerned, they add a lot to the viewing.  Catherine is always dressed so tastefully and fashionably – what fun we will have watching what she wears to all the different events!

The purpose of the Olympics has not changed since their inception but the size certainly has.  When the Olympics were held in London in 1908, there were 2,023 athletes from 22 countries competing in 24 different sports.  This year in London, there are 10,500 athletes from 204 countries competing in 37 sports.

London will be the only city in the world that has held the Olympics three times.  In fact, the Olympics of 1908 were supposed to have been held in Italy but Italy experienced a volcano which changed the fate of the Olympics forever.  London “accepted the baton” so to speak and got busy readying itself for what was to be a great event.  The Olympics in London in 1948 were dubbed the “Austerity Games” as it was so soon after the Second World War that London was pretty down-trodden and had not got completely back on her feet.  Because of the War, there was rationing and the economic climate meant that there were no new Olympic buildings, nor an Olympic Village for housing the athletes, constructed.  Nonetheless, they proved to be a successful Games where the joy of triumph was felt.  Because of their part as aggressors in World War II, Germany and Japan were not invited to participate.  The USSR (as it was then known) were invited but chose not to send any athletes.  Oh, to see harmony and the world at peace!

What joy lies ahead in the next weeks, both with the Olympics and the Paralympics as these athletes show us their best.  It is hard to imagine the training that has taken place – the endurance, the focus, the dedication, the preparation.  We have lots to look forward to as the best of the best, the crème de la crème, perform.

Some of our favorite parts of the Olympics in past years have been the “life stories” of the athletes.  They are heart-warming and make one realize how very hard these athletes work to arrive where they are.  Look for them in the next few weeks.

Stay glued – to your televisions, that is – and get ready for love, joy and abundance to be demonstrated!