2012 London Olympics

[Richard]

I'm pleased to see so many of this year's Olympians and Paralympians included in the 2013 New Year Honours List, especially Ellie Simmonds who now has an OBE to add to her MBE. All the Honours are very well deserved, and 2012 must surely go down in history as the greatest year ever for British sport.

See the full list of Olympic and Paralympic Honours here:

www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/resources/NY2013-honours-London-2012.pdf

Please note the Olympians and Paralympians have their own special list this year. You can download all the New Year Honours lists in full here:

www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/new-year-honours-2013

Richard

[Joe]

Thanks very much for this, Richard.

As Her Majesty the Queen said in her Christmas speech, it was a "splendid summer of sport".

Congratulations to Ellie Simmonds, and also to Andy Murray, Mo Farrah, Bradley Wiggins, Jessica Ennis, and all the athletes, coaches, etc., who made the New Year Honours List.

[Richard]

Hello Joe!

Ellie Simmonds is in the record books as the youngest person to be awarded an MBE, in 2009 when she was 14. It appears she's now the youngest person in living memory to be awarded an OBE, at 18.

Richard

[Richard]

Here's a very interesting new video from the BBC:

Five Minutes With Ellie Simmonds: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22796314

Richard

[Dave]

Here is a phenomenal 17 minute piece of footage from the Olympics Opening Ceremony taken with a hidden camera worn by one of the "working men and women" during the Industrial Revolution section. It's the part where they build the five Olympic rings and includes all the in-ear instructions received by the participants.

For anyone who loves to know what goes on behind the scenes at such massive choreographed events, it's a real eye (and ear!) opener. Once it got going, I found it to be totally addictive!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZlZZf8MKpM

Cheers, Dave

[Joe]

Hello Dave!

Thanks very much for this video! Just as many of us are celebrating the London 2012 legacy one year on!

It was very interesting indeed to hear the direction given to the performer. The ticking sound is very similar to a metronome app I use on my ITouch.

The thousands of volunteers and Games Makers helped to fulfill the Olympic dream.

That Youtube channel also contains a great opening ceremony practice video.

[Richard]

Hello Joe!

This is the video of the rehearsals:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hax33m9krDI

Richard

[Dave]

Hi Joe and Richard,

Yes it's another video made by the same guy on his channel OlympicHiddenCamera, excellent.

I have the BBC box set of their Olympic coverage, including the entire Opening Ceremony, so last night I was able to synchronize that and the 21 minute hidden camera footage and audio, it added a new dimension to the DVD!

But I couldn't stop at that, I ended up watching the entire opening ceremony again, 12 months on, it brought back some nice memories! But when Emeli Sandé sang Abide With Me, nice though it was, I couldn't help but think Hayley would have done it even better.

Cheers, Dave

[Joe]

Hello Dave!

I found yet more practice sessions from other on YouTube, . I simply adored the London Olympics...I just wished us Americans didn't see a chopped up broadcast on NBC TV.

I never fancied the Games Maker kit (purple top), but a few months ago on eBay I bought the kit trainers (uniform sneakers) and the accreditation lanyard.

Also last year the trading card company Topps released an Olympic card set. Just last week I bought cards autographed by Bruce Jenner and Ryan Lochte

Its only 183 days away until Sochi 2014

Cheers,
Joe