Dear Friends,
Last Sunday London hosted the final act of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympics adventure. British people have every right to be very proud of the show they put on the road. They did a remarkable work and gave the world a great image of their country and their capital.
* * * * *
Olympic games are always special occasions, because they touch deep feelings of a big part of the world population. Sometimes they also produce images that become unforgettable: whoever saw Nadia Comaneci and her perfect ten in Montreal in 1976 will never forget her; or Gabriela Andersen-Schiess, that refused medical help and insisted in finishing the first women's Olympic marathon in Los Angeles in 1984, even though she was at the very end of her forces; or how the Olympic fire was lit in Barcelona in 1992; the list can be as long as we wish, and accommodate all kinds of tastes.
* * * * *
I was in London with my family during the final week of the Olympics. The organization was just outstanding and despite all those predicting a big collapse, the city coped extraordinarily well with the tsunami of visitors. During seven days we didn't witness any single unpleasant incident, even not a drunken person creating trouble on the street. It is surprising that such a result could be achieved in a big metropolis, specially considering the riots of just one year ago. Certainly it was possible only thanks to the kindness, hospitality and enthusiasm of the locals.
Last Sunday London hosted the final act of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympics adventure. British people have every right to be very proud of the show they put on the road. They did a remarkable work and gave the world a great image of their country and their capital.
* * * * *
Olympic games are always special occasions, because they touch deep feelings of a big part of the world population. Sometimes they also produce images that become unforgettable: whoever saw Nadia Comaneci and her perfect ten in Montreal in 1976 will never forget her; or Gabriela Andersen-Schiess, that refused medical help and insisted in finishing the first women's Olympic marathon in Los Angeles in 1984, even though she was at the very end of her forces; or how the Olympic fire was lit in Barcelona in 1992; the list can be as long as we wish, and accommodate all kinds of tastes.
* * * * *
I was in London with my family during the final week of the Olympics. The organization was just outstanding and despite all those predicting a big collapse, the city coped extraordinarily well with the tsunami of visitors. During seven days we didn't witness any single unpleasant incident, even not a drunken person creating trouble on the street. It is surprising that such a result could be achieved in a big metropolis, specially considering the riots of just one year ago. Certainly it was possible only thanks to the kindness, hospitality and enthusiasm of the locals.
* * * * *
I have maybe been a dozen of times to London, mostly
on vacation. Every time I say to myself that I should go there more often, because
I always enjoy it. This time it was not different, but somehow it was special.
You could feel something different in the air. It remembered me a lot the comments that I have heard from people
that were in Barcelona for the 1992 Games. The work done by an army of
volunteers helped a lot to build momentum. Talking to local people all agreed that
they were first afraid that they could fail. After a certain point, they
realized that the Games were a great thing and became enthusiastic.
* * * * *
There were 70.000 volunteers working during the
Olympics. That was a book case example of what motivated people, with a clear
target and shared values can achieve. Even if almost nobody knows who he or she
is, the Games' HR manager did a great job. Had they paid the people to do that
work, probably they wouldn't get as good a result.
* * * * *
The only fair criticism was for tickets allocation. It
was very difficult to get tickets for any competition. Nevertheless, on TV we
could see that in some cases there were empty places in different venues. It is
surprising that Anglo Saxons could not find a way to sell those empty places
last minute. Have they forgot how to make business? The sad thing is that
thousands of people were denied the opportunity to watch some competition live,
to nobody's profit.
* * * * *
* * * * *
It will be a great challenge for Rio, but also a great
opportunity. Hope Rio gets it right and delivers at least as good an event as
London. And let's just admit: it will be very difficult for any other place to
do better than London.
* * * * *
Wish you enjoy the next four years. And see you in
Rio!
Maurício
