Dear Reader,
The quantity, cost and availability (or non-availability) of tickets to the 2012 London Olympics has been much discussed in the UK for months now. Elle and I both applied for tickets in the initial lottery; I received tickets to four events (of 16 requested), and she to none.
One of the events I didn't receive tickets for was Men's Artistic Gymnastics, so presented with the opportunity to see gymnastics as part of the London Prepares Series, Elle and I decided to go. Elle handled the ticket purchasing on the first day that tickets were for sale. This turned out to be fairly straight-forward, as the only available tickets were for unreserved seating at the first session on the first day. There was no indication of which athletes or what events we'd be watching (men's or women's, artistic, rhythmic or trampoline). But for £10 and a train ticket, we figured we couldn't go far wrong.
So, this past Tuesday, Elle and I took the day off work, caught an early train, squashed onto the Tube and re-surfaced at the North Greenwich Arena (known as the "O2" in the context of all non-Olympic activities). We were surprised by the cursory security check and the number of empty seats. But pleasantly so because it meant that Elle was able to "smuggle" in a forbidden bottle of water (she swears she "never even thought about it.") and we were able to move around the arena to get a better view of certain competitors and events.
I was thrilled to find out that our session was Men's Artistic Gymnastics, as I never fail to be impressed by the strength required for the Rings event. And if I were to be given the ability to compete in one Olympic event, I might just choose the horizontal bar. (Since in dreams, anything is possible, we'll overlook the pre-requisite need for a gender change.)
As I was up earlier than usual, I forgot to bring my camera. Elle took this photo with her iPhone.
And this is a photo of Bulgarian Iordin Iovtchev, who easily had the largest biceps of any competitor we saw.
Next week, tickets will be made available for Diving, another event that Elle and I requested tickets for and neither received. Do we have a sporting chance of getting tickets? If so, what events will we see? I'll let you know next week!
~~ LeAn
The quantity, cost and availability (or non-availability) of tickets to the 2012 London Olympics has been much discussed in the UK for months now. Elle and I both applied for tickets in the initial lottery; I received tickets to four events (of 16 requested), and she to none.
One of the events I didn't receive tickets for was Men's Artistic Gymnastics, so presented with the opportunity to see gymnastics as part of the London Prepares Series, Elle and I decided to go. Elle handled the ticket purchasing on the first day that tickets were for sale. This turned out to be fairly straight-forward, as the only available tickets were for unreserved seating at the first session on the first day. There was no indication of which athletes or what events we'd be watching (men's or women's, artistic, rhythmic or trampoline). But for £10 and a train ticket, we figured we couldn't go far wrong.
So, this past Tuesday, Elle and I took the day off work, caught an early train, squashed onto the Tube and re-surfaced at the North Greenwich Arena (known as the "O2" in the context of all non-Olympic activities). We were surprised by the cursory security check and the number of empty seats. But pleasantly so because it meant that Elle was able to "smuggle" in a forbidden bottle of water (she swears she "never even thought about it.") and we were able to move around the arena to get a better view of certain competitors and events.
I was thrilled to find out that our session was Men's Artistic Gymnastics, as I never fail to be impressed by the strength required for the Rings event. And if I were to be given the ability to compete in one Olympic event, I might just choose the horizontal bar. (Since in dreams, anything is possible, we'll overlook the pre-requisite need for a gender change.)
As I was up earlier than usual, I forgot to bring my camera. Elle took this photo with her iPhone.
And this is a photo of Bulgarian Iordin Iovtchev, who easily had the largest biceps of any competitor we saw.
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| (Photo in its original context, with lots of other event photos here: ) |
Next week, tickets will be made available for Diving, another event that Elle and I requested tickets for and neither received. Do we have a sporting chance of getting tickets? If so, what events will we see? I'll let you know next week!
~~ LeAn
wonderful writing
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I forgot you had this!!! I just spent the last 20 minutes or so reading from where I last left off - Oct 13, 2009. Seriously - where has the time gone! And, I note, no mention of our amazing journey! :P So fun to hear about your adventures - I'm favoriting this so I'll come back for more!
DeleteSending love from this side of the pond,
Vanessa