London's Olympics is the whole world's Games

Reporter's Log | Cecily Liu

Elitism's shadow has been cast over the London Olympics over the past week, as media have criticized venues' many empty seats and the "ghost town" effect on West End business.

But a recent stroll through Piccadilly Circus on Friday evening made me realize London's Olympics is still for its people.

Londoners and tourists alike gathered to watch the women's 800m freestyle on a large outdoor screen. Being surrounded by cheering and clapping crowds made it almost like watching the event live. A few minutes later, as Britain's heroine Rebecca Adlington secured her bronze, the crowds shouted with joy - and even I, a foreigner, felt deeply moved.

If a shopping district could create such a festive atmosphere, then one can surely imagine the level of participation at the pop-up gathering spots in the Olympic Park, Hyde Park, Victoria Park and many other dedicated venues.

Last Saturday alone, 60,000 spectators gathered on London's streets to watch the women's triathlon. Another 240,000 watched the Games at other central locations.

Compared with these numbers, the 7,000 unsold corporate tickets Game organizers released to pacify the angry public only make the media hype about empty seats seem a little silly.

Indeed, the most striking impression London's Olympics left on me is a message of hope for ordinary people.

Whereas Barcelona in 1992 aimed to attract tourists and Beijing 2008 showcased China's new image to the world, London's goal was unconventional.

Already the most visited city in Europe and a major financial center, London realized the most an Olympics can bring are solid improvements to people's daily lives.

Examples of the benefits abound.

Over the past four years, Britain's 97 million pound ($144 million) Cultural Olympiad funded more than 2,700 community projects across the country, involving more than 10,000 people.

As the Union Jack was raised high in the opening ceremony, sweet voices singing the British national anthem came from 80 children of the Kaos Signing Choir for Deaf and Hearing Children, some of whom sang in wheelchairs.

The children's eyes showed hope, pride and a newfound courage to acknowledge their equality.

When the three-week event ends, London will have forever transformed East End. The once contaminated industrial site would become what Newham mayor Robin Wales calls a "decent place" to bring up children.

But such hope is also global.

In 2005, when rival bidders like Paris and Rio made promotional films showcasing the beauties of their respective cities, London touched the International Olympic Committee with a video showing sports' power to inspire children around the world.

This eagerness to give set the tone of London's Olympics from the beginning.

And I feel confident the Games will reap benefits, for both the city and the world.

Contact the writer at cecily.liu@chinadaily.com.cn.

(China Daily 08/08/2012 page11)