Two-time triathlon medallist Simon Whitfield bears the flag for team Canada during the opening ceremonies to the 2012 London Olympics, on July 27, 2012.
Credit: Jason Ransom
It has already been four days since the 2012 London Olympics wrapped up and I already find myself flipping through the channels trying to find something to watch. For 17 days there was always something on, whether it be handball or women’s beach volleyball or even the 10000m races. There were moments of elation and victory and there were instances of tragedy and disappointment.
Canada's women's eight rowing team celebrate their silver medal performance at the 2012 London Olympic Games, on August 2, 2012. From left to right are: Janine Hanson; Rachelle Viinberg; Krista Guloien; Lauren Wilkinson; Natalie Mastracci; Ashley Brzozowicz; Darcy Marquardt; Andreanne Morin and Lesley Thompson-Willie.
Credit: Jason Ransom
In the end it was a two horse race for the final medal count with the United States on top followed closely by China. But one must not overlook the performance of the Canadian athletes whose total was the highest it has been since the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Credit: Jason Ransom
I said prior to the Olympics that viewers should tune into the great performances of other athletes as well and I believe that prediction held very true as well. The two biggest stand-out performances came from Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt who both single handedly re-wrote the record books. With that I reflect on the top-10 biggest highlights and low-lights from the 2012 London Olympic games. I encourage readers to provide their favourite moments from the event in the comments as well. These are the moments that I won’t soon forget from this year’s games
Highlights
Credit: Mike Ridewood
9. Opening and Closing Ceremonies
8. Adam Van Koeverdan takes Silver in K-100 Kayaking followed by Mark Oldershaw taking Bronze in the C-100 Canoe race.
7. Canada takes a bronze medal in the Team Pursuit indoor bike race
6. The Canadian women’s Olympic gymnastics team qualifies for the team final for the first time since 1936 and finishes 5th.
5. Canada’s women’s soccer team takes the bronze medal over France
4. Great Britain wins 3 track and field gold medals in under one hour in women’s heptathlon, Men’s 10000m and Men’s long jump
3. Rosie MacLennan wins Canada’s only gold medal in Women’s trampoline
2. Usain Bolt repeats as champion in both the Men’s 100m and 200m races
1. Michael Phelps becomes the most decorated Olympian with 22 career Olympic medals.
Honorable Mention: Oscar Pistorius in 400m with prosthetic limbs, Ryan Cochrane+ Richard Weinberger+Brent Hayden, Emily Heymans, Clara Hughes, Milos Raonic loses in longest match in Olympic history.
Lowlights
10- London weather- rain and cold weather were a factor in the first week of the games effecting tennis beach volleyball and the bike races.
9- Canadian equestrian team has horse deemed unfit to compete and could not compete in the team finals.
8- Dylan Armstrong fails to medal in in shot put for the second straight Olympics
7-Athletes kicked out of Olympics for comments on twitter
6- Paula Findlay finishes dead last in women’s triathlon
5- Canada vs. USA Quarterfinal soccer match, Canada loses after two controversial calls.
4- Boxing judging controversies- Many corrupt decisions in boxing based on poor judgment from officials
3- Badminton match fixing scandal- Four pairs disqualified for trying to fix quarter final matches in badminton.
2- Flag bearer and two time medalist Simon Whitfield breaks Collarbone in triathlon at the start of the bike portion of the race
1- Canadian 4X100m Relay team wins bronze, gets DQ’ed- Canada finishes 3rd behind the USA and Jamaica but moments later are disqualified as Canada’s Jarred Connaughton was ruled to have committed a lane violation for one of the most heartbreaking moments of the games.
Overall, it was a very entertaining 17 days in London that caught the interest of both the casual and hardcore sports fan alike. Most people were glued to their television on a daily basis and even commenting on various events using social media. I look forward to the next winter Olympics in 2014 in Sochi.
