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| London 2012: what has the legacy of the Olympic Games been for you? | London 2012: what has the legacy of the Olympic Games been for you? |
| (2 months later) | |
| A year on from London 2012, we're asking readers to tell us what they see as the legacy of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. ClaireJ has been inspired to volunteer as a photographer for a sports club, for example, Gordon Joly is looking forward to exploring the parks and waterways that are reopening around the Olympic Park this weekend and Steveh15 blames his chronic knee pain on Mo Farah. | A year on from London 2012, we're asking readers to tell us what they see as the legacy of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. ClaireJ has been inspired to volunteer as a photographer for a sports club, for example, Gordon Joly is looking forward to exploring the parks and waterways that are reopening around the Olympic Park this weekend and Steveh15 blames his chronic knee pain on Mo Farah. |
| If you were a spectator, volunteer or competitor at the Olympic or Paralympic Games, what have been the lasting outcomes of your experience? Have you kept in touch with people you met at the Olympic Park, for instance? | If you were a spectator, volunteer or competitor at the Olympic or Paralympic Games, what have been the lasting outcomes of your experience? Have you kept in touch with people you met at the Olympic Park, for instance? |
| If you live near one of the Olympic venues, have you seen improvements to the local area as a result of the Games? | If you live near one of the Olympic venues, have you seen improvements to the local area as a result of the Games? |
| Or if you were watching the Games from afar, were you inspired to get fit or to take up a new sport? | Or if you were watching the Games from afar, were you inspired to get fit or to take up a new sport? |
| Whatever you consider London 2012 has done for you – let us know by sharing your stories in a comment on this article, or you can share photos using GuardianWitness. Here is a selection of your most inspiring stories. | Whatever you consider London 2012 has done for you – let us know by sharing your stories in a comment on this article, or you can share photos using GuardianWitness. Here is a selection of your most inspiring stories. |
| "I knew I had to do something more interesting with my life." | "I knew I had to do something more interesting with my life." |
| Thomas Walmsley performed in the Olympic opening ceremony – and says the experience changed his life. | Thomas Walmsley performed in the Olympic opening ceremony – and says the experience changed his life. |
| "We were in the group of men who came out of the hill and pulled up the grass and made it into the industrial revolution wasteland. | "We were in the group of men who came out of the hill and pulled up the grass and made it into the industrial revolution wasteland. |
| "There was such fantastic camaraderie – and everyone came from such a wide range of backgrounds. It totally opened my eyes – how much life has to offer. Not just sport, but life in general. Meeting so many people from across Britain and the world and from so many different backgrounds was the biggest thing. It became a life experience – you felt a real connection with people. | "There was such fantastic camaraderie – and everyone came from such a wide range of backgrounds. It totally opened my eyes – how much life has to offer. Not just sport, but life in general. Meeting so many people from across Britain and the world and from so many different backgrounds was the biggest thing. It became a life experience – you felt a real connection with people. |
| "Standing in that Stadium, you got a sense of what we as a species could achieve. A few months prior, none of us knew each other, or what we were going to do. Then you finish, look up and 80,000 people are cheering and you think about all the people watching at home and realise how much you've done. | "Standing in that Stadium, you got a sense of what we as a species could achieve. A few months prior, none of us knew each other, or what we were going to do. Then you finish, look up and 80,000 people are cheering and you think about all the people watching at home and realise how much you've done. |
| "Danny Boyle came to us towards the end and said, 'You'll find that, after all this, there's a gap in your life. You'll need to find something to fill that gap or it will be difficult.' And it was difficult. After the Paralympics had finished, I thought – what do I do? I felt a bit lost. | "Danny Boyle came to us towards the end and said, 'You'll find that, after all this, there's a gap in your life. You'll need to find something to fill that gap or it will be difficult.' And it was difficult. After the Paralympics had finished, I thought – what do I do? I felt a bit lost. |
| "I wanted to do something physical, something imaginative. Within 6 months I had quit my job and retrained as a personal trainer. Then, just before I qualified, my partner was offered a job in Sweden. In my old job, I was very much tied to the UK. With my career change, it also meant moving countries was now a realistic option too. It's now July 2013 and we have been living Sweden for 3 months and it is a truly wonderful experience. | "I wanted to do something physical, something imaginative. Within 6 months I had quit my job and retrained as a personal trainer. Then, just before I qualified, my partner was offered a job in Sweden. In my old job, I was very much tied to the UK. With my career change, it also meant moving countries was now a realistic option too. It's now July 2013 and we have been living Sweden for 3 months and it is a truly wonderful experience. |
| "My horizons have broadened so wide, since the ceremony, that the world feels like the most exciting place. The opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games was the catalyst for all of this, and more. I want to thank everyone involved, from the two governments who oversaw it, to the the least involved volunteer. It was worth every penny." | "My horizons have broadened so wide, since the ceremony, that the world feels like the most exciting place. The opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games was the catalyst for all of this, and more. I want to thank everyone involved, from the two governments who oversaw it, to the the least involved volunteer. It was worth every penny." |
| "If it hadn't been for the Games, I wouldn't have volunteered." | "If it hadn't been for the Games, I wouldn't have volunteered." |
| Gamesmakers and London Ambassadors formed a large contingent of volunteers - all inspired by The Games. | Gamesmakers and London Ambassadors formed a large contingent of volunteers - all inspired by The Games. |
| Sent via GuardianWitness | Sent via GuardianWitness |
| By Sean Jordan | By Sean Jordan |
| When Sean Jordan saw the adverts asking for volunteers at London 2012, he jumped at the opportunity: "I'd never been a volunteer before but it was a no-brainer – I thought, you'll never get that chance again!" | When Sean Jordan saw the adverts asking for volunteers at London 2012, he jumped at the opportunity: "I'd never been a volunteer before but it was a no-brainer – I thought, you'll never get that chance again!" |
| He worked as a team leader, in charge of a group of volunteers who worked with the armed forces on security at the main gates of the Olympic Stadium. | He worked as a team leader, in charge of a group of volunteers who worked with the armed forces on security at the main gates of the Olympic Stadium. |
| "It blew away all the stereotypes about volunteering – you know, elderly people all sitting around moaning! It was extremely well-run and very inclusive and we were so well looked after. They said thank you the right amount of times – and sincerely – and that impressed me a lot." | "It blew away all the stereotypes about volunteering – you know, elderly people all sitting around moaning! It was extremely well-run and very inclusive and we were so well looked after. They said thank you the right amount of times – and sincerely – and that impressed me a lot." |
| Now that the London Olympics are over, Gamesmakers are often invited to help out at other events. Earlier this year, Sean received an email asking if he'd like to volunteer at London's Gay Pride. | Now that the London Olympics are over, Gamesmakers are often invited to help out at other events. Earlier this year, Sean received an email asking if he'd like to volunteer at London's Gay Pride. |
| "It was such an all-round brilliant experience for a first-time volunteer at the Games that it made me feel comfortable volunteering at Pride. If it hadn't been for the Games, I wouldn't have done it." | "It was such an all-round brilliant experience for a first-time volunteer at the Games that it made me feel comfortable volunteering at Pride. If it hadn't been for the Games, I wouldn't have done it." |
| "Watching people on the BMX track inspired me." | "Watching people on the BMX track inspired me." |
| 13-year-old Jamie-Lee Bamford had never tried BMXing before seeing the sport in the Olympics last year. "Watching people on the BMX track inspired me. I thought, I want to do that – but the local council had closed the local dirt track down, so there was nowhere to do it." | 13-year-old Jamie-Lee Bamford had never tried BMXing before seeing the sport in the Olympics last year. "Watching people on the BMX track inspired me. I thought, I want to do that – but the local council had closed the local dirt track down, so there was nowhere to do it." |
| She contacted the parish council and managed to negotiate the use of a field for a new BMX track. Together with her friend Ollie, she researched options and found a company that could build a track to fit the site they had been offered. They obtained seed funding from the council and their local village hall and raised more funds by running a "guess the number of sweets in the jar" at a local fete. A former parish councillor secured a grant for the rest of the money they needed. | She contacted the parish council and managed to negotiate the use of a field for a new BMX track. Together with her friend Ollie, she researched options and found a company that could build a track to fit the site they had been offered. They obtained seed funding from the council and their local village hall and raised more funds by running a "guess the number of sweets in the jar" at a local fete. A former parish councillor secured a grant for the rest of the money they needed. |
| Jamie-Lee's persistence in getting the track built has been recognised by Community Games, a charity set up to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from London 2012, who have her crowned a 'Shining Light'. | Jamie-Lee's persistence in getting the track built has been recognised by Community Games, a charity set up to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from London 2012, who have her crowned a 'Shining Light'. |
| A year after Jamie-Lee's first letter to the council, the BMX track is now open to the public. She says the new track is popular with children from the age of four upwards - as well as adults. It's great to see the track being used, she says, because "now people can do cool tricks". But Jamie-Lee will need a bit more practice before she competes in the Olympics herself: "I can clear a few jumps – that's about it." | A year after Jamie-Lee's first letter to the council, the BMX track is now open to the public. She says the new track is popular with children from the age of four upwards - as well as adults. It's great to see the track being used, she says, because "now people can do cool tricks". But Jamie-Lee will need a bit more practice before she competes in the Olympics herself: "I can clear a few jumps – that's about it." |
| "I wasn't expecting to make new lifelong friendships." | "I wasn't expecting to make new lifelong friendships." |
| Chris Watt performed as one of nine John Lennons in the Olympic opening ceremony. "We'd got an email saying, 'Are you a good rollerskater? Can you play drums? Or are you just generally enthusiastic?' I had none of those specific skills, so I ticked that last box. | Chris Watt performed as one of nine John Lennons in the Olympic opening ceremony. "We'd got an email saying, 'Are you a good rollerskater? Can you play drums? Or are you just generally enthusiastic?' I had none of those specific skills, so I ticked that last box. |
| "When we first turned up, we didn't know what we were doing there. Even after the first rehearsal, we still didn't know what our part was. I met Will for the first time properly on the day we found out we were going to be the Beatles. Will and I are both big Beatles fans so we were loving it! | "When we first turned up, we didn't know what we were doing there. Even after the first rehearsal, we still didn't know what our part was. I met Will for the first time properly on the day we found out we were going to be the Beatles. Will and I are both big Beatles fans so we were loving it! |
| "By the time we started going to the stadium for rehearsals, we were pretty much best mates. We've both worked in the same industry – we're both into creative things and making new things. Now his girlfriend is friends with my girlfriend. | "By the time we started going to the stadium for rehearsals, we were pretty much best mates. We've both worked in the same industry – we're both into creative things and making new things. Now his girlfriend is friends with my girlfriend. |
| "The actual night was just bonkers. You knew it was going to be epic but it wasn't until you got the full crowd in... it's giving me goosebumps just thinking about it! When the rings came together – that was the moment! We turned to salute the crowd and the crowd went absolutely berserk. | "The actual night was just bonkers. You knew it was going to be epic but it wasn't until you got the full crowd in... it's giving me goosebumps just thinking about it! When the rings came together – that was the moment! We turned to salute the crowd and the crowd went absolutely berserk. |
| "When I look back on it now, there are so many little stories that can inspire you, like coming out of the stadium late at night and the Gamesmakers were there – and they had stood outside all day and seen none of the action, and late at night they were still there, helping you find the way out. It was just a really infectious positive attitude." | "When I look back on it now, there are so many little stories that can inspire you, like coming out of the stadium late at night and the Gamesmakers were there – and they had stood outside all day and seen none of the action, and late at night they were still there, helping you find the way out. It was just a really infectious positive attitude." |
| “Some people find it hard to let go.” | “Some people find it hard to let go.” |
| When Philip Slade joined the rehearsals for the opening ceremony, he found that groups of friends and couples who had volunteered together were quickly split up as they were allocated to different sections. "That meant there were 6000 people there who were all individuals – the most bizarre piece of social engineering. I ended up with the most bizarre, diverse group of friends, people from all over the world, and with extremes of income. It's unheard of in an urban environment to make 10 close new friends, but you spend five months with someone and you bond! Now I see my Olympic chums on a weekly basis. | When Philip Slade joined the rehearsals for the opening ceremony, he found that groups of friends and couples who had volunteered together were quickly split up as they were allocated to different sections. "That meant there were 6000 people there who were all individuals – the most bizarre piece of social engineering. I ended up with the most bizarre, diverse group of friends, people from all over the world, and with extremes of income. It's unheard of in an urban environment to make 10 close new friends, but you spend five months with someone and you bond! Now I see my Olympic chums on a weekly basis. |
| "After the Games, some people formed into a unit called the Pandemonium Drummers. It started with the Olympic drummers, then the industrial revolution performers and it just snowballed. They've performed at lots of big, mainstream events. I did the Champions League ceremony; I led the Bayern Munich team out on to the pitch at Wembley, carrying their flag. I did a few events, then I thought, I've really got to let go!" | "After the Games, some people formed into a unit called the Pandemonium Drummers. It started with the Olympic drummers, then the industrial revolution performers and it just snowballed. They've performed at lots of big, mainstream events. I did the Champions League ceremony; I led the Bayern Munich team out on to the pitch at Wembley, carrying their flag. I did a few events, then I thought, I've really got to let go!" |
| When he was offered the chance to perform at Notting Hill Carnival this year, he says, his wife gave him a disapproving look. "In her words: 'Walk away!'" | When he was offered the chance to perform at Notting Hill Carnival this year, he says, his wife gave him a disapproving look. "In her words: 'Walk away!'" |
| Leaving London 2012 behind can be hard, Philip says. "It really creeps up on you – you miss it emotionally. It's a real hole. Some people find it hard to let go. I'm not criticising any of my new-found friends, but the reunions have possibly gone on a bit too long. | Leaving London 2012 behind can be hard, Philip says. "It really creeps up on you – you miss it emotionally. It's a real hole. Some people find it hard to let go. I'm not criticising any of my new-found friends, but the reunions have possibly gone on a bit too long. |
| "I think the true legacy of taking part in the Olympics, whether as an athlete or a performer or a volunteer, was that everyone got that push, that sense of confidence and self-belief. Now I'm launching a new company driven pretty much by that power of self-belief we got from the opening ceremony." | "I think the true legacy of taking part in the Olympics, whether as an athlete or a performer or a volunteer, was that everyone got that push, that sense of confidence and self-belief. Now I'm launching a new company driven pretty much by that power of self-belief we got from the opening ceremony." |
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