London to Rio

The Olympics in 2012 was one of the greatest summers of my life.

It was this country, particularly London, at it's very best. It was our people at their very best. It was sport and competition of the highest order and at it's best

London 2012 was everything our country has been, could be and should be.

Nearly 4 years on, I still remember the feeling I got when I watched the opening ceremony: Shedding a tear as the story of the industrialisation of Britain played out in the Stadium. Sitting in awe-inspired, jaw-dropped silence as the rings were forged and the music and sounds oozed from the TV: Images I have watched every year since on DVD as a reminder of that moment and all I felt.

London 2012 was when I first heard Isabelle say 'I'd like to be an Olympic swimmer, daddy'. It inspired her to keep getting in the pool and try her absolute best every time she does.

London 2012 inspired me to get a bike and get out cycling.

London 2012 was our Field of Dreams moment.

There is marvellous moment in the movie 'Saving Mr Banks' where Walt Disney tells the author, P.L. Travvers that he wants to bring her character to life and gets very animated when he announces 'and then Mary Poppins flies in to save the children.'

Travvers looks at Disney in absolute horror and says 'you still think she came to save the children? Oh dear dear'.

I have met a few people that get just as emotional about that summer as I do. Like music and the arts, sport impacts people in different ways. I'm wasn't a sport fan until London 2012: Not in the same way I am now. But hindsight has made me think that actually the Olympics was our Mary Poppins. It wasn't bought to this country to save sports or highlight sports directly: it came to bring our glorious, flawed but rather spectacular nation together.

And my gosh what a job she did.

To quote another children's movie, Nanny McPhee states to all her children: 'when you need me but do not want me, I shall be here. When you want me but no longer need me, I shall go'.

We were blisteringly sceptical in advance but protests couldn't keep it away. And then it came and we had 2 incredible weeks with the Olympics and a further two weeks with the Paralympics. And our people came together, stood be side and were proud of all that was achieved and it left a legacy that will remain forever....and then it went.

In 200 days, the baton is passed to Rio: It's Brazil's turn. Its perhaps their need to be joined as we were. To show off and be proud. To harmonise and pacify the masses, to bring a calm and a sense of belonging.

Whatever it brings, whatever is left, I hope at least one person still feels about their country as I feel about mine nearly 4 years on from the event.

As Lord Coe famously closed the show by saying: We did it right.

Team GB, you have 200 days. We will be watching and waiting and supporting. We are right behind you.

(This photo isn't mine: I got it from the Team GB Facebook page which also triggered my writing of this)