8 August 2012

And so the mixed fortunes of the Team GB athletes continued on day five of the games. I have never cried so many tears in such a short period before – both tears of joy and of despair. 

It was despair for both Andrew Pozzi and Goldie in the qualification rounds in the morning. Both of these athletes had set personal bests in the lead up to the games and no doubt they would have been aiming to re-address them once more in London. As I have discovered, injury is a frustrating part of high level sport and because athlete’s have to push their bodies to their physical limits you never quite know how close to the line you are. You will have heard during the course of these Games many athletes’ exclaiming how it is their dream to come and compete here at a home Olympics. Can you imagine the one’s who have worked so hard only to have had this dream wrecked by injury?  I really felt for these athlete’s who just weren’t able to execute what they would normally do any given day of the week.

Next up was the Scarlett pimpernel himself, Phillips Idowu. Will he, won’t he?  And if he does, what will he do? In the end all the speculation ended in disappointment for both Phillips himself and Team GB as he didn’t progress to the final. It was a similar disappointing story for Tiff in the sprint hurdles. Tiff had a few problems leading up to the games, although she didn’t run too far off her best and narrowly missed the final. 

It was awesome to see the dynamic duo of Julia and Jo progress to their second final of these games. Julia particularly seems to be in such a rich vain of form.  She seems to be setting personal bests for fun this year. I can’t wait to see what they can achieve in the final and what Julia in particular can take her pb down to.  It was a dream long jump qualification for Shara in the long jump. One jump, tracksuit back on and back to the village.  A very classy performance and a warning message to her rivals. This girl means business! Talking about dreams, Andrew Osagie achieved his dream of making an Olympic final in the 800m.  What a performance! He found a change of gear in the final straight that no one knew he possessed. The pictures of him at the end of the race were reminiscent of a certain British woman who won that very event eight years ago.  I don’t know how his eyes stayed in his head!

And talk about saving the best until last. Robbie G produced the goods in the men’s high jump final taking that bronze medal. I have to say it has been a pleasure watching Robbie compete this year and I always feel so calm watching him as he eludes such confidence that you have confident that he can produce.  He doesn’t make you sit on the edge of your seat or have to watch through the gaps in your fingers.  It’s actual pleasurable viewing! Well done Robbie and Fuzz. 

That takes Team GB’s medal count to five. We’re getting closer!