One week down and the Olympic spirit is burning brightly across the UK while we get caught up in the action in London. Of course there have been some unforgettable successes from Team GB, but there are so many stories from nations around the world (205 countries and more than 10,000 athletes), which are sure to be retold and cherished in the years to come.
Even Logoc chief, Sebastian Coe, called it a “lovely mix of the unexpected, the great names from overseas that have come through and those Big British moments”. From Jess Ennis to Nicola Adams, Michael Phelps, Greg Rutherford and of course Usain Bolt, there are just too many incredible victories to mention them all.
Here are just a few stories that have inspired, amused and impressed us this week, but if there’s any athlete who has made an impression on you, let us know in the comments!
Murray Takes Back Wimbledon
The winning fever spread from the Olympic Stadium to Wimbledon to spur the Scot from Dunblane into a 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 win over Swiss legend Roger Federer. Having fallen in defeat to the same opponent at Wimbledon just last month, Murray has high hopes that the success will translate into much-awaited success on the grand slam circuit.
He said: “I would love to win Wimbledon for sure,’’ he said. ‘‘But this feels pretty good and I wouldn’t swap it for anything.’’
Hamadou Issaka Wins Our Hearts
Trailing behind other rowers in the single sculls heats, the 35-year-old from Niger (nicknamed “Issaka the Otter” for his swimming prowess) came in nearly two minutes after the winner of the event held in Eton Dorney last Friday. Having only learned to row three months ago and trained in an old fishing boat, Isaaka also worked as a gardener and swimming pool attendant before qualifying as a wildcard entry at the Olympics.
He said: “I have no technique. I only rely on power. I compete with courage, but there also people cheering me there, they applaud me and urge me to help me finish my race and I will do it.”
Blade Runner Qualifies for the Semis
The double-amputee sprinter from South Africa became the first amputee sprinter to take part in the able-bodied Olympics, finishing second in his heat and eighth in the 400 metre semi-final on Sunday. After having both legs amputated below the knee before his first birthday, Pistorius went on to become “the fastest man on no legs”, and attracts admiration from people all over the world.
He says: “You’re not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are able by the abilities you have.”
Mo Farah’s Mobot
After his incredible finish in the men’s 10,000-metre track final, Mo Farah celebrated by doing his trademark dance move, which was copied worldwide by 17 million fans watching in the stadium and at home. Hundreds of people soon posted pictures of themselves doing the Mobot on Twitter to congratulate the British-Somali champion.
He says: “If it hadn’t been for the support of the crowd I don’t think I’d have won that race. To win the Olympics in your own country is the greatest feeling in the world. When I crossed the line I thought: ‘What? Did I really finish first?’”
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