So, what an amazing week watching the Olympic Games from Paris. 

Games, of course, being what makes it so attractive to so many people worldwide. There is something for everyone so just because you may not necessarily love one sport, the likelihood is that there will be other sports which you love and some which you may well be seeing for the very first time. 

To say I have had my own Olympic event to deal with during the last couple of weeks is also something else. For the last year we have had tickets to watch the games (athletics and hockey) for three days this week, which included the men’s 1500 metres event. However, my dog Luna was diagnosed with an illness a couple of weeks ago so in the grand scheme of things if it meant leaving her or watching a blue-riband event such as the 1500 metres Olympic final, as much as I love athletics it was still no contest.

My other half Steph went with her family, and they have had a fantastic time this week. I am also sure I am going to keep hearing about it for the next few months, so all in all I will still end up feeling like I was there. 

With regards to the 1500 metres final, well what a race, but there was always going to be the danger that the gold medal was not going to be won by either Josh Kerr or Jacob Ingebrigtsen with the final result not surprising me one bit.  

There was so much publicity beforehand which of course is great when it comes to a huge build up by way of whetting everyone’s appetite and anticipation of what is to come (I know all about this from my days working with pro boxers), but personally and from an athlete’s point of view, I always think it is not a bad thing to try and stay in the background whilst being quietly confident. 

At the end of the day, I am sure the likes of Cole Hocker and Yared Nuguse were more than happy that the spotlight was on Josh and Jacob and they then proved they were not just there to make up the numbers. 

My earliest recollection of the Olympic Games goes back to Mexico in 1968 when David Hemery won the gold medal for the 400 metres hurdles with John Sherwood taking the bronze and the great Australian distance runner Ron Clarke who was the world 10,000 metres record holder at the time collapsing trackside whilst being administered air what with Mexico City being at an altitude where the air was much more rarefied.  

Oh, and of course Dick Fosbery winning the high jump with what at the time was considered to be a very controversial method of clearing the bar – ‘The Fosbery Flop.’  

Despite winning the gold medal, many viewed his method as dangerous. I remember going to school at the time and our class teacher (Mr Poole) who was clearly enthusiastic about athletics and the Olympics telling us how dangerous it was and none of us should try to do it.  

Ironically, I also remember him talking about the history of the marathon and how only a very few special people could run the distance, how times of changed! He also said that he doubted anyone in our class would ever go on to run a marathon whilst I sat there thinking – I am going to. 

My first real take of what an occasion the games are all about though was in Munich in 1972 where I spent hours fixed to the TV as a 14-year-old especially when it came to rooting for Ron Hill in the marathon who despite his pre-race favourite tag had to settle for sixth place. A race won by Frank Shorter from the US which ignited what was to become known as the ‘jogging boom’ in the States.  

However, and if I had to pick my favourite Olympic Games to date then I would have to say definitely London 2012 as that really was something else and then the Moscow Games in 1980 where I along with the rest of the world was fixated on what was to be the Steve Ovett vs Sebastian Coe battles over 800 and 1500 metres. Plus of course the emergence of Daley Thompson’s rise to becoming the world’s number one decathlete.   

At Sportlink, we are also proud to be associated with George Mills, who I wrote about earlier this year. George being the son of my business partner, Danny. Doubling up for the 1500 metres and then the 5,000 metres has certainly proved to be a big ask.  

Firstly, having to run three races in three consecutive days for the 1500m what with him having to run in a fastest losers race sandwiched between the heats and the semi-finals. He then got knocked down in the home straight in the 5,000 metres heat where he and three others all crashed to the ground. Thankfully, after all things had been taken into consideration, George, along with the other three fallers, were giving a spot in Saturday’s final.   

Speaking to Danny he said three races in three days was just too much when it came to the 1500m but was also very relieved after being told that George has been included as one of the finalists for Saturday’s 5000 metres final. 

I think it is fair to say that despite George’s already gained experience on the big stage ie European 5,000 metres silver medallist, Diamond League, etc, etc, he will still have gained even more experience from all of this which will make him an even better athlete going forward. So, let’s now hope for a perfect run on Saturday. 

Finally – just a further mention of our recent Hadrian’s Wall Run. Our overall fund-raising efforts totalled over £5,500 for our eight causes. Once again thank you to all who supported us. 

As always – have a great weekend.