Blood, sweat and tears of joy

I thought for the first ever blog, it would be best to start off mentioning the Beijing Olympic games that happened over the summer.

Just on Thursday 16 October, people turned up in their thousands to pay tribute to the athletes, who lit up the summer of 2008 with their inspirational and unforgettable performance that made it their best performance for 100 years.

Team GB finished in fourth place winning 19 gold medals, 13 silver medals and 15 bronze medals, making the total 47, but the Paralympics finished in second place winning 42 gold medals, 29 silver medals and 31 bronze medals, making the total 102.

The most medals were won in the cycling event in China, with Scotland’s Chris Hoy picking up three gold medals. Nicole Cooke, Victoria Pendleton and Rebecca Romero also picked up gold. Also Sarah and Barney Storey for the Paralympics picked up gold.

Also picking up the most medals in an event were the rowers. Paralympics Tom Aggar and Helene Raynsfors became the first athletes to win gold in rowing, when the sport was made debut this year. Also Ben Ainslie won three gold medals in sailing.

London’s Christine Ohuruogu won in the 400m race, with two time Paralympic gold medallist David Weir.

In the waters, 14 year old driving sensational Tom Daley did well to get to an individual final, but didn’t win a medal. For him, it will be a wonderful experience to learn how professionals do a good job to get high marks. It will make him strong when he comes back for the London 2012, and he might just win a medal.

Paralympian Eleanor Simmonds, who is just 13 years old, won gold in swimming. She was crying with joy after the race, she couldn’t believe that she won! Rebecca Adlington also won gold in swimming. (Not sure if she won two, think she did).

The success over the summer was brilliant to watch and read about, but with the London 2012 just another four years away, can the success be improved. The answer to that is yes. There was some disappointing results, like equestrian and athletics. There will be targets for the next Olympic and Paralympics for team GB to work on and improve and who knows London 2012 might, just might be the Olympics to remember.