London Olympics 2012 Review

The showcase event in the world of sports - Olympics 2012 - is drawing to a close in the coming few days. Hosted in London, The London Olympics 2012 has proved to be a phenomenal attraction over the past few weeks - attracting eyeballs and attentions like nothing else.

Well, I caught on to the Olympics buzz quite late into the second week - watching it every day from 11 in the night. However, I followed it regularly over the news papers and the internet.

Here are some moments from the Olympics which caught my attention this year.

Let me start with Michael Phelps of the USA. Michael, the champion swimmer, won a total of 6 medals at London 2012, including 4 golds and 2 silvers. What puts him at the top of the pedestal is the fact that he has won a total of 22 medals at the Olympics, making him the most decorated Olympian of all time.

Michael Phelps London Olympics 2012

He retired after London 2012, and he can take happiness from the fact that he gave his best shot at swimming, winning accolades all the way.

Next one is known as The Lightning. Yes, I am talking about Usain Bolt of Jamaica. The star sprinter was the defending champion from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and several questions were raised on his ability to defend his titles in London.

100m Dash Olympics 2012

However, cometh the day, cometh the man. Usain Bolt ran like a champion when it mattered and won the 100m dash and 200m sprint in style. He celebrated in his customary style on the track after the dash.

Usain Bolt The Crowned King of Sprint

He is the first man to win both the 100m and 200m in back to back Olympics on the track. And if the after hours party with fellow Olympians was anything to go by, Usain would have to be on the moon. 

Usain Bolt Celebrating Olympic 100m Win

With this being just his second Olympics, will he make history 4 years later and be crowned as a triple crown winner?

Let us move onto the Indians. Indian athletes have struggled to win medals at every Olympics, with India ending up with only a medal or two at every Olympics. This time, it was different.

At the moment of writing, India has won a total of 5 medals - 1 silver and 4 bronze. It has been a proud moment for Indian sports. Making them proud include Vijay Kumar, who won the lone silver for India in shooting and Mary Kom, who won the bronze in boxing. 

Vijay Kumar Olympics 2012

Gagan Narang won a bronze in the air rifle event, and Yogeshwar Dutt won a bronze in wrestling. Indian shuttler, Saina Nehwal, did the country proud by winning the bronze medal in Badminton.

Saina Nehwal Bronze Medal Olympics 2012

At a time, when the country is struggling with female foeticide, and growning crime against women, Mary and Saina have showcased what a girl can do on the international stage. The women have done the country proud and it's up to us to nurture this talent and make them winners, by giving them adequate opportunities.

Moving onto one of the most significant moments of London Olympics 2012. Saudi Arabia, a conservative nation from the Middle East, was not planning to let its women to participate at London 2012. Ultimately, it let two of its gals to participate. And didn't they do the country proud!!

Sarah Attar Olympics 2012

Sarah Attar, ran the 800m race, in full clothes - a significant contrast against other runners who ran in shorts and tees. She respected her country's conservative dressing style. She finished last, almost a lap behind the winner. 

However, her determination in running the race and the difficult conditions where she came from, drew a standing ovation from the Olympic goers. I trust this breaks a few mental barriers in the Saudi kingdom and we can see more women athletes from the country in the next Olympics.

Moving onto Tennis. Andy Murray, long held as the British hope on the tennis turf, left his Wimbledon disappointment behind to beat Roger Federer and win the Gold Medals in Tennis. Great Britain was ecstatic.

Andy Murray Olympics 2012

Lastly, it was London, a city which is long considered as a oldest turf of aristocracy and royalty. And the Royal family made its presence. Princess Zara participated in the Equestrian event and won a silver medal. 

Zara Phillips Olympics 2012

The Royal Family - William, Kate, and Harry - were in full force to cheer for GB across various events.

The Royal Family Olympics 2012

All in all, it has been a special Olympics. Its great to see that the Olympic spirit living on, a hundred and more years after the start in Greece.

In 4 years time, Olympics will travel to Rio, Brazil, in South America. And I am assured that once again, the Games will take the spirit of global inclusivity to greater heights.