Rising East Online

My Olympic Joy

Greg Pryke

It was Wednesday 6^th July 2005 and I was eagerly anticipating the result of the 2012 Olympic Games bidding process. Five cities were bidding to win a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Ever since London launched its bid in July 2003 I had seen it as an excellent opportunity for me as a budding sports journalist: I would love to be at the G ames in 2012 as a sports reporter. Over the two-year period from July 2003 to July 2005, the London bid gained momentum. In February 2005 the inspectors from the International Olympics Committee (IOC) seemed impressed with London as a potential venue for the games. Another incentive came in April 2005 when Lord Coe released details of a package which included free flights for participating athletes, and financial help for poorer nations; but this was subsequently withdrawn since it might have breached some (IOC) regulations. Then on June 6^th London and Paris were singled out as the two favourites. Now the nation and the world had to wait until 6^th July to find out who was going to win the Games.

Decision day came, and I awoke with a strong feeling of optimism. Meanwhile in Singapore the five cities were making their final presentations to members of the International Olympics Committee. Early opinions were that London had put in a strong performance. Now it was all down to the IOC. The voting process consisted of five rounds; the city that received the lowest votes in each round would be out – just like The X Factor. In the first two rounds London was in the top two, with Moscow and New York knocked out. In the third round London gained a six-vote lead over Paris, and Madrid was eliminated. The final vote was between the favourites, London and Paris. At 12:49 British Standard Time, IOC President Jacques Rogge opened an envelope containing the name of the host city, and with no hesitation he announced that London had got the vote – and the Olympic Games.

I roared my approval, jumped for joy, and vowed to make the most of the huge opportunity coming my way.

Greg Pryke is studying Journalism

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