It rained today. The sun shone brightly. The winds were very chilly. Yes it all happened. It's Sunday here in London. The English are people who believe in irony and the fact that they generally wear the same expression day in, day out, negates any thoughts of reading their minds. So while the rest of the visitors to London, looked perplexed and bemused by the constant change from rain to sunshine and then more rain and then sunshine with some chilliness, the English, made it appear like an easy Sunday Morning stroll. I had not traveled with an umbrella but I was not alone neither did most of the other visitors/tourists, who were all being soaked wet by rain and then dried slowly by the sunshine.
I always knew that one day I would have a chance to use the advantage and experience of three and a half years of living in Hampstead, London. So I just stood and allowed the rain to fall, the sun to shine, the rain to fall again while I read a horse-racing guide to Frankel's effort to win the Goodwood Cup on Wednesday. Eventually it was okay to venture outside and it felt good. While we are talking rain, today was also George Richard Bovell 111 first foray into the London Olympics and he looked comfortable as he made his way for his lane eight assignment for heat two, with the top 16 advancing to the semi finals. Bovell won fairly comfortably in a time of 55.22, but unfortunately when all the opening heats were concluded, his time placed him in 29th position overall. The objective for Bovell was to get acclimatised so this was a job well done by the bronze medal 2004 Olympian. It was always going to be difficult for Bovell in this event, given his recent form and his obvious concentration in the last few years on his speed in the freestyle. He will have two more opportunities for a medal tomorrow in the 100 metres freestyle and Thursday in the 50 metres freestyle.
Sunday has always been famous for roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, and it was no surprise to read the blackboards outside many pubs/restaurants all stating their versions of this meal which is a traditional stable diet for many. So even with the Olympics in the air, people were piling in for their Sunday meal. For me, I was more interested in the gymnastics and the movement of several of these athletes. They are so flexible, their movements look unbelievable. And the way the crowd was responding to the flips, turns and dismounts made all my cravings for some chocolate go away. Just for those who don't know, I have given myself my very own Olympic test which is not to eat any chocolate for the entire Olympics, in any form, biscuits, bread (Yes there is bread with chocolate in London), I saw it, I even touched it but did not buy it). With all the top brands available, I am hoping that I will get my own gold medal when I return home because of my discipline and resistance to chocolate. As I left the Olympic Park today, I reflected on the tremendous image of Jamaica at these Games - all because of the success of their athletes. Sport continues to be the vehicle for unity and success. Jamaica have found a way to captivate the people. Let us hope before these Olympics are completed, that T&T can do likewise