Olympic and Paralympic athletes parade: sign in - and sob - here

[caramelwaffle]

[caramelwaffle]

< hopeful

[arghhhmiddleage]

Go on then, I'll do some final positivity .

I spent a long weekend in London during the Olympics and was lucky enough to have tickets for athletics and hockey. I had the experience of a lifetime. The crowds, atmosphere, organisation and buzz were astounding. I could go into detail but I'd be here for hours!

And despite being a sports fan, I had never paid much attention to the paralympics before. That's all changed - it became about elite sport rather than participation, and has changed my perception for ever.

I just want to say a huge thank you to Seb Coe, LOCOG, TFL, the military, the GMs, the athletes and everyone else who was there in person and in spirit.

My eyes have been like a leaky tap; it's been beyond amazing; and like someone else said ,I am so proud of my country. Thank you

[caramelwaffle]

[JugglingWithPossibilities]

Have had to name change following the final parade ...

But inspired by the Paralympics and a guy with no legs who climbed a mountain with friends recently - who said he hoped it would encourage people to "re-think their own possibles" I am now ....

JugglingWithPossibilities

(also nicely post-modern I feel )

[MrsVamos]

I LOVED every minute.

[PurpleAndPoppyWearer]

Always look on the bright side of life...

The Games were unforgettable, I am proud of our country!

[JugglingWithBocciaBalls]

Last night .... sorry to any Games Makers who were not treated as they should have been during today's celebrations ... There were clearly many athletes and so many ordinary watchers of the games who wanted to thank you today for what you achieved in putting on these games this summer

Have we run out of steam with our positivity on this thread, or can we finish with one last round of applause ... for the athletes, the Games Makers, for so many magical moments, and for a new spirit of understanding forged especially during the best Paralympics ever held ?

< applause and tears >

[MrsVamos]

I saw that too.

I think it was such a 'rush job' to organise the Parade, that it wasn't done properly. There were obviously several GMs who were also still working with people.

I think it's disgusting, and that there should be something formal as I said earlier, as a way to say thank you to all the GMs.

But then I guess that's the whole point of volunteering. You do it because you want to, and don't expect any thanks.

I also think that Team GBs success from the Olympics and Paralympics was unexpected, which threw the organisers to do 'something'.

[PurpleAndPoppyWearer]

I'm watching the TV highlights and it's so deceptive, the only people allowed down to the front to watch were the Forces (fair enough), Athletes' families (ditto) and the random school groups.

Then empty swathes of Tarmac behind them. Then a cordon of police. Then us, contained behind barriers to either side, on the pavements, straining for every word, having to lift cameras high above our heads to see anything. Empty road down the middle of The Mall.

[MrsVamos]

It wouldn't do much good, except to emphasise to the public once again, that the people we have in power throughout our country don't actually give a fuck about any of us 'little people'.

The whole thing was sold today on tv as being a way to say thank you to the public and the gamesmakers for their support and hard work...if that was not the case, I think you should scream it from the rooftops.

Big Society ? Big Load of Bollocks.

[PurpleAndPoppyWearer]

There were plenty of press around, and we were chanting "let us in" very loudly. I don't want to put a downer on the Games, I think the parade was organised by Boris and the London lot rather than the Olympic/Paralympic Committees. Their security firm (NOT G4S!) were awful. The police did their best for us but had their hands tied. Lots of people were saying they planned to complain - but what good would it do.

[MrsVamos]

I was just thinking and about to post the same thing, showtunesgirl.

PurpleandPoppyWearer I am disgusted on your behalf.

You should contact the papers. That's utterly wrong.

Juggling

How very dare you suggest I would tell my darling DCs to eff off.

Actually, I do sometimes, just not quite like that.

[showtunesgirl]

This is just shocking. I would contact the papers if I were you.

[PurpleAndPoppyWearer]

Sad to say, what MrsD's friend said about how us Gamesmakers were treated at the parade today was true. We couldn't see very much, only the floats as they went past, but we couldn't see the signs saying which sports, and we were 10-20 deep. Most of the athletes we facing the dignitaries on the other side.

Couldn't see the stuff in front of the palace at all, in spite of big screens. Could hardly hear it. Very few snacks and drink available to buy at Games prices. Disgusting portaloos. No seats at all. Had to arrive early and stand for four hours.

They refused to let us onto the Mall in spite of a crush. Bearing in mind that we have Home Office clearance and training as stewards in crowd management! Wanted us gone ASAP. School kids who didn't even know who any athletes were (apart from the "Judo man what was in Big Brother") were given priority up-close access and the athletes were whisked away from us. Dreadful. Talk about leaving a sour taste in the mouth. I'm gutted. I gave up my family's summer....

Wish I hadn't got a ticket and had just gone and stood in the crowd or watched on TV.

[JugglingWithBocciaBalls]

Oh poor old DC ... I've just seen him on the news - hoped his advisers hadn't just told him about the latest post on Mumsnet's Olypmpic & Paralympic parade thread. You do wonder sometimes !

Still, at least he promised more money which makes a change !
Though, fair enough, he said other things were important too.

[JugglingWithBocciaBalls]

sorry that was MrsV page 4, 16.20 ...

... telling DC to fuck off !

[JugglingWithBocciaBalls]

MrsV - wondered for a minute what your DC's had done to upset you

[headfairy]

I'll be the one screeching at a teeny tiny lycra clad cyclist dementedly wheeling around crowded streets!

[headfairy]

Ooooh MrsV, we'll have to adopt some kind of MN code so we can recognise each other :o

[Iwantacampervan]

I caught the end of the C4 coverage as BBC1 had finished - great poem (it was on last night as well).

I liked the fact that the presenters (most of them) got really involved and were not 'just doing their job'.

Highlights tonight then flags up again for SPOTY.
(Looks to see whether we can get to the final stage of Tour of Britain next Sunday)

[Elephantscanwearorangeandgold]

I refuse to belive its all over.
When i get up tommorow, the olympics will just be starting.

[Moln]

I missed most of it. Stupid work.

Came home around the time of a young lady whose name I don't know playing the guitar and sing. Glad to have seen the althletes group together.

Sadly did see the Pet Shop Boys (why? Just WHY? So much musical talent and they chose THEM? Why?)

I now feel all empty inside. What do I do? (can't imagine what I'd be like if I still lived in Britian and could have partaken!)

[OhYouGreatGreatBritain]

it has been splendid to enjoy the olympics and paralympics with you all, it made it so much more fun.

What a summer!

[OodHousekeeping]

Bradley is coming almost past my work this week.. Got annoyed about the traffic problems then realised it was him!

[MrsVamos]

Yarrrsssss.

See you then !