Nostalgia is defined as “a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period of place with happy personal associations.” With this weekend marking one year on, was I feeling nostalgic about the London 2012 games, which I experienced from more than 3,000 miles away? I most definitely was.
While I couldn’t watch the BBC from my apartment in Washington, this past weekend I managed to relive some of the excitement of last year by following the Anniversary Games, which took place in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, on social media. I was excited to see photos of star athletes from last year’s games, including Usain Bolt, Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis-Hill, competing in their contests of choice. Speaking over the weekend, Farah said: “This is where I made my name. Each time I race here I want to make my country proud of me.”
I began working at the Embassy about three weeks before the London 2012 Games began, and it was a very exciting time to be a part of it all. My colleague and I took the Olympic and Paralympic mascots, Wenlock and Mandeville, downtown and took photos in front of historic DC monuments and landmarks; we visited the Team USA Diving Team during their final practices prior to their trip out to London; Ambassador Westmacott hosted a viewing event for contacts in DC to watch the Opening Ceremony; and we helped to welcome home Team USA with the President and First Lady. Then it was over – but not for long.
Since the Olympics, our team in Washington has done our part to celebrate the lasting legacy of the Games. We co-hosted an Olympic Handover with our neighbours at the Brazilian Embassy to mark the countdown to Rio 2016, and our Ambassador ceremoniously passed the torch to his Brazilian counterpart. And earlier this month, to celebrate the One Year anniversary of the Games, several teams throughout the Embassy hosted an event honouring the legacy of the Games and added a special local touch to our celebrations. Friends from the largest non-profit food bank in Washington, the Capital Area Food Bank, set up a table to recruit volunteers, a reflection that volunteering and bringing communities together are key pillars of London 2012 Legacy. We are planning a team volunteer day with Capital Area Food Bank as well in the near future.
The UK government is dedicated to creating a lasting legacy, and the country has already seen enormous benefits. The legacy of the Games includes wide-ranging issues such as economic, sport, infrastructure, transportation, disability and inclusion. The UK has already seen a boost of £9.9 billion in worldwide trade and investment due to Olympic-related economic activity – with more to come. More than 70,000 jobs were created for previously unemployed Londoners and tourist visitor spend is expected to exceed £19 billion for the first time ever.
And our sporting excitement is not over yet either. Throughout the next five years, the UK will host major events, including the Rugby League World Cup, the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup.
As for the nostalgia that myself and many around the world are feeling, we’ll just have to find more way to relive and remember London 2012. And there’s plenty of ways to do that.