This blog post was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Jonathan Knott

Former British ambassador to Hungary, Budapest

Part of Stay Ahead of the Games UK in Hungary

1st August 2012 Budapest, Hungary

2012 London Olympic opening

Guest blog by Olympic Torch Bearer Andrea Snow

After my “moment of shine” experience just a few weeks ago, I had the privilege to be present at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012.

Andrea Snow

That day something special was in the air. The XXXth Olympiad, the 2012 summer Olympic Games Grand opening was a wonderful and magical evening.

My husband and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary this summer so it was an immediate decision a few months ago to organise and buy tickets to the most wonderful show on Earth. The evening organised by Lord Coe was expected to be something extraordinary. Having Danny Boyle as director did guarantee success. The event turned out to be more than a success – it became a legend. The opening of the third London Olympics Games (1908, 1948, 2012) was magical. A wonderful evening for a long time to remember.

Andrea Snow

At 9:00 pm sharp (BST) the world’s eyes were set on the Elisabeth II Stadium in East London. Over one billion people were glued to their chairs and sofas at home and there were thousands of people at the event watching it live. I happened to be one of the lucky persons cherishing this memory of being present.

What did the event feel like being arm’s length from it?

It made me proud, to be one of the Olympic Torch Bearers who carried the flame, it gave me a real inspiration to continue to introduce the idea of the charity runner model to Hungary, and I understood perfectly the importance of being an athlete.

The event was a great inspiration for generations. It showed the world how to be proud to be British and last but not least taught us all – no matter what nationality we are – that we should treasure our history, work on our present and believe in the future generation.

Andrea Snow

Just after midnight young athletes lit the cauldron and the Olympic Flame reached its position shining upon the games in the middle of the stadium, and my heart was full of joy and hope.

Faith was restored in humanity, the need was there for peace, the hearts were beating in the same rhythm – we believe in sport, we believe in love.

Hope of flame should be shining on all of us, the warmth of it should be deeply touching all hearts, old and young, healthy and sick, able and disabled.

We shall all unite to make this world a better place for all of us.

Andrea Snow

About Jonathan Knott

Jonathan Knott was appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Hungary in March 2011 and arrived in Budapest in February 2012 to take up his post. He left this post on April…

Jonathan Knott was appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to
Hungary in March 2011 and arrived in Budapest in February 2012 to take
up his post. He left this post on April 2015.
He has previously held a variety of diplomatic posts at home and
abroad, several with a particular focus on commercial and corporate
finance issues. Jonathan has served in a number of positions in the
British Diplomatic Service since joining in 1988:
Before his appointment was Deputy Head of Mission and Director for Trade and Investment in South Korea from 2008 to 2011.Between 2005 and 2008 he held the post of Deputy Finance Director in the FCO.From 2000 to 2005 he served as First Secretary (Trade, Corporate Affairs and Finance Negotiator) in UKDel OECD Paris.From 1996 to 2000 he was First Secretary (Head of Political/Economic/Aid Section) in Mexico.From 1995 to 1996 he worked in the FCO as Deputy European Correspondent at the EU Directorate.Between 1991 and 1995 he served as Third later Second Secretary (Political / Press and Public Affairs) in Havana.From 1990 to 1991 he was Desk Officer in the FCO’s First Gulf War Emergency Unit.Between 1988 and 1990 he worked as Desk Officer in the FCO in the Anti Drugs Cooperation Department.
Jonathan holds an MA in law from Oxford University, and he is a
member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. He speaks
English, French, Spanish and Hungarian. He is married to Angela Susan
Knott and has one daughter and two sons.

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