A Fantastic Fortnight.

Hello friends, I have been so busy over the past few weeks that I haven't managed to find time to do this blog. However, here I am now with quite a bit to catch up on so here I go.

On the evening of the Olympic Opening Ceremony I was the guest of 'Right to Play' at an event hosted by Polycom in London. I did manage to get home to Harlow to see most of it and I enjoyed the history that was portrayed. It was a fantastic spectacle and my favourite moment was 'Mr Bean' (Rowan Atkinson). That really made me laugh. I also enjoyed the Queen and James Bond, though I've had to try very hard to convince my African friends that Her Majesty didn't really parachute into the stadium! It was a great start to a fantastic fortnight.

I wasn't that enthralled by the opening week of bikes, boats, and horses but it was nice to see Team GB do so well. It was the athletics that really gripped me and there were so many memorable moments; Usain Bolt winning 3 Gold medals and making me smile with his antics, Mo Farah, of course for his truly incredible double in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres, Jessica Ennis, and a favourite of mine, Christine Ohuruogu. It was all really exciting. Mind you, I was disappointed with my motherland, Kenya, who did not do as well as I had been hoping. The World Record and Gold medal for David Rudisha was very special.

In between watching the Olympics on telly I've been working with a woman from the Congo, Dedeline, who lost her limbs in a landmine accident when she was 18. She is now 30 and will be representing her country in the 1500 metres in the upcoming Paralympic Games. I can really identify with her journey and have given her a racing chair and some equipment so she can do herself justice. I've been helping her with pushing techniques and training with her.

On a much sadder note the murder of schoolgirl Tia Sharp. It has been horrifying to see the case unfold. Unbelievable that whilst her family were frantically searching for her, her body lay hidden in her grandmothers loft. How the grandmothers boyfriend could calmly join in the search, and appeal for her to return home whilst all the time he knew he had murdered her! It reminded me of Ian Huntley. Very, very sad.

On Saturday afternoon  I took my son, Tim, to see the legend that is Tommie Smith at the premier of the film; 'Return to Mexico City'. It was a lovely film but also very inspirational as we saw Tommie and John Carlos return to the scene of their 'black power' salute 40 years on. Tommie spoke afterwards and Tim was enthralled at his story. Tommie signed his book,'Silent Gesture' to Tim with the words;'Education is a Must!' I'm sure Tim will never forget meeting him, and neither will I. A REAL legend.

The closing ceremony wasn't as brilliant as the opening but it did the trick. My favourite was George Michael singing,'Freedom, but I also enjoyed the Spice Girls, Queen, John Lennon and Take That. I thought it was very brave of Gary Barlow after his recent tragic loss. Let's hope the athletes will inspire the next generation of sports people in the same way British music inspires.

Relight My Fire!

I am just back from a short time off from training to recharge my batteries after a tough season. It was great having some free time to relax with my son, Tim, and watch movies and go places without having to worry about the hustle and bustle of my training regime. It also gave me the opportunity to reflect on what has been a very good season, and I now have a clear vision about what I need to do to achieve my ambitions next year. London 2012 is just over the horizon and I really want to be part of it. It's all down to me and I intend grasping my opportunities with both hands. So, yesterday I was back in the gym training on rollers and sweating buckets. 'No pain no gain' as the saying goes, and the pain I'm in today should mean I'll gain a lot! I love it though, and wouldn't want it to be any different.
As an athlete myself I am avidly following the World Championships in Daegu and my heart really goes out to Christine Ohuruogu, Dwayne Chambers, and Usain Bolt, all disqualified from racing for false starts. All the hard work and effort they've put in to be selected all gone in a micro second. I feel it is too harsh and would like to see a return to the old rule where everyone gets a second chance. Can you imagine the furore if it happens next year at London 2012? Let's hope those that make the decisions rethink this one.
On an even more serious note, the horrific events unfolding in the Horn of Africa really upset me, all those people dying of starvation and lack of water, things we in the so called Developed world take for granted. Here in Harlow we even have special bins we put wasted food into to be recycled! So what kind of world are we living in where people are dying for a lack of food? Here in the UK they talk about the 'crisis with obesity' whilst in Africa people die as thin as stick insects! Surely there is more than enough food in the world to feed everyone? I know that the problem of drought is more difficult to solve but surely we can invest in the science needed to make things better. People in Africa don't want handouts, they want to be self sufficient and stand on their own two feet. I hope and pray a solution can be found soon to end the suffering of the starving masses.