Four days in: Disappointment, Doping, and Defying the Odds

Even by the end of the first week of the London Olympics, it is highly likely the majority of the population will still be talking about the truly fabulous opening ceremony on Friday. Today, the intricacies of Daniel Craig's royal confrontation were being carefully deciphered amongst those I was working with, as day four of the Games rolled on. One might be forgiven for forgetting there are actual sporting events occurring! Yet they are, and we have witnessed some fantastic drama befitting of the grandeur of the occasion and the skill of those on show.

While the medals started to clear off the shelves and around the necks of those most deserving, others were left with more than a sense of extreme disappointment at having missed out, despite the immensity of the efforts involved. Britain's men were unable to ferry Mark Cavendish to the sprint finish he so desperately craved. It seems the road racing team were the victims of their own incredible success over the past month, as the rest of the peloton appeared to expect the Brits to single-handedly pedal it back into touch with the early breakaway. Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome, the winner and runner up of the Tour de France, were selfless in this respect, with the former possibly putting his own time trial chances in doubt for the benefit of his colleague. The women's race on day two was a resounding success, as Lizzie Armitstead did manage to ride herself into contention at the climax and subsequently delivered the country's first medal of the games, quelling the fears of a stuttering start to GB's medal haul.

In the aquatics centre, the first noticeable controversy began to swirl in the waters of the swimming pool on day two. China's Ye Shiwen, aged just 16, swam a relentless final length in the women's 400m individual medley - faster than Ryan Lochte's equivalent 50m - to claim gold and a new world record. Almost immediately, the eyebrows were raised on Twitter and the tube (even the BBC's Claire Balding prodded at the possibility of the d-word). The reaction was unsurprising given China's undesirable doping past. However, the lack of any solid evidence for such foul play and a staunch defence headed by several high-ranking Olympic officials suggest Ye's performance was nothing more than an extraordinary piece of athleticism. We surely must instead feel privileged to have witnessed such a feat, though the debate will no doubt rage for weeks to come. Moreover, of course, questions will continually be asked about the ethical processes by which China produces its talent for various Olympic sports, but with 23 medals so far - 13 of them gold - and atop the medal table, something seems to be working. On the outside lane of that very same pool, Rebecca Adlington, Britain's defending champion in the 400m freestyle defied her difficult position to claim an excellent bronze medal. In many ways that result was as impressive as her winning swim in Beijing four years ago.

The host nation's most feel-good success was undoubtedly in the men's team event in gymnastics. It was a very well-written script: the last time Britain's men won a medal in the event was in 1912. The Titanic had just sank in icy waters back a century ago, but 2012's competition was fiercely heated. After all the apparatus, the scoreboard had Britain in second before a Japanese appeal pushed them to third. Make no mistake: any colour of medal in this event defied all expectations, rightly deserved a storming moshpit of celebration and got something like it (as well as a chorus of boos when asked to recognise the judges' contribution). The five fresh-faced gymnasts - the youngest being 23 -  were equally elated despite the demotion to second and have simultaneously captured the nation's enduring pride.

The opening days to the Olympics has also had a royal tint of silver. Zara Phillips, the Queen's granddaugher was a part of the three-day eventing equestrian team who finished second overall. She can now at least boast being the most successful Olympian in her family (her mother, Princess Anne was unsuccessful on her horse in 1976). On the other hand, her single success does not budge the 4kg of medals hanging on another Olympian's scales. Michael Phelps tonight became the most decorated Olympian of all time. The swimmer added a silver in the 200m butterfly and another gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay to take his tally to 19. More are to come in the coming days which could potentially take him to 22, and while some may not hail him as the greatest Olympian in history, there is no doubt his legacy is secured regardless of how his critics have viewed his arguably less-dominant performances in London than seen in Beijing and Athens. It has been quite a few opening days, and while this has been but a taste of what has transpired, expect more of the same.

A Games to be Proud of, in Spirit and in Substance.

There is no denying that the next 17 days will be 17 of the most unique that we as Brits have ever witnessed. The Olympic Games. Sport will take centre stage as - for a couple of weeks at least - all the economic misery and subsequent social unease are put to one side, and we can instead all look forward to a bloody good show from London and the rest of Great Britain. The work to get to tonight has been observed and reported sporadically by news outlets over the past seven years since that magical day on July 6th 2005 when it was officially announced that London would host the Games, yet for the people involved the work has been constant, and the fruits of their labours will be revealed in a matter of hours. The excitement has only reached noticeable levels as 2012, the year of the Games began. Now that the moment until the Games officially begin has gotten ever closer, there has scarcely been a pinch of coverage that has not mentioned the Olympics every few seconds.

This is not something to be groaned at. Rather, it should be embraced as a genuine once-in-a-lifetime event. A real 'where were you?' moment. Perhaps the greatest 'where were you?' sporting event since 1966, and one of the greatest national events since the end of the Second World War. For the entire world has sat up and taken notice that (despite reports of many turbulent events in the build-up) London may actually be ready to amaze the planet. Thousands of foreigners have descended upon this not-so-sunny island with hopes of retuning with the glow of having been lit up by the skill and determination of the 10000 athletes who will compete. Boris Johnson offered his 'we are ready' speech to the delight of thousands at Hyde Park yesterday, and we as a nation of proud cynics may also join those in being delighted; firstly by Danny Boyle's £27 million opening ceremony, and secondly by the wide array of sporting events that are to follow. The Paralympics too are not to be missed, and will showcase the incredible display of those who have not let their disabilities hinder their desires.

The world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, has not had the ideal preparation to defend his 100m and 200m titles, but it is not foolish to expect him to do something special. His countryman Yohan Blake may also write his name into the record books. The man they once called the human dolphin is returning to the swimming pool to try and win another stockful of gold medals. Countless others who may not possess the same level of superstardom but certainly possess just as much of the talent will be aiming to take as many medals back to their respective countries and to see their hard work and dreams fulfilled in some form. Whether it be for the satisfaction of personal achievement, the desire for recognition and respect, or just for the pure national pride, they will all be pushing themselves to the limits of human potential.

Looking closer to home, and there are dozens of athletes who have endeared themselves to the public, especially since Beijing's Games in 2008. A few names stand out and keen eyes will be fixed upon these men and women more than most. Rebecca Adlington, A virtual unknown four years ago,  is now the country's inspiration in the water. Hopes are high that she cuts through the waters rather than treading them. In another water sport, poster-boy Tom Daley has overcome personal tragedy to once again take on the might of Chinese 'robot' Qiu Bo off the edge of the 10m platform. Having lost his father to cancer last year, he arguably has extra motivation to top the leaderboard. Newly crowned Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins turns his attention to the vélodrome, while his Team Sky compatriot Mark Cavendish, the fastest man in the world on two wheels, will set out to cement that undeniable fact. On the running track, Jessica Ennis has overcome injury woes in order to prove herself as the most well-rounded athlete the country - and the world - can boast.

The concept of a 'home' Games has allowed for a reigniting of our country's national sport once again in Olympic competition. For the first time in the lives of all of two generations, football has come home (at least for the Olympics). In the men's competition Ryan Giggs finally took his bow on the international stage last night for Team GB, ironically at the stadium where he has won most of his club medals. Beforehand, he made it clear what the competition meant to him as a Welshman who never had his chance at a European Championship or a World Cup. 'An Olympic gold would be up there with my European medals', he remarked. It is still amazingly refreshing to see the 38-year-old with the same drive he had twenty years ago. With a host of young talent alongside him, he and the rest of Team GB can hope to build on their somewhat unfortunate draw with Senegal.


The preparation has had it's dazzling highs and earth-shattering lows, but the impact of the next two and a half weeks of competition will shape Great Britain's legacy for the next century, and though nowadays we cannot claim the greatness we once had, confidence should be had in Great Britain's readiness to create a legacy worthy of its name (and win a hell of a lot of medals!). Let the Games begin.