Reflections on the Games #6 by Leon Taylor
16 Aug 2012
By BBC Olympics commentator Leon Taylor, a SportsAid alumnus.
It is amazing how something that took seven years in the making can be gone in a flash, especially when you are working in it.
When you’re involved like I was as a commentator you are very focused each and every day to do the best that you can for the job. This means that I missed many other things that happened outside of the aquatics centre.
You can think, would it have been nice to watch it on the TV? But I’m sure if I had been in that position I would have wanted to be right in the thick of it as I was. Working for the BBC was a great experience and I think they did an amazing job with the coverage. To give everyone access to view all the sports at any time gave many sports a profile they have never received before. I loved seeing the entire country gripped by the action.
It was an absolute joy to be a part of it and I was so proud. From the opening ceremonies where I was asked to attend along with all the other British Olympic medallists alive today to the closing ceremonies. I was holding my breath in the opening ceremony not sure how things would unfold, and then when it did – it ended up bringing tears to my eyes.
SportsAid's Patron
As SportsAid’s patron, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge is helping to shine a light on the achievements and potential of young athletes throughout the UK – an inspiring generation who one day hope to represent the nation at the Olympic or Paralympic Games. SportsAid alumnus Sir Chris Hoy welcomed the patronage by saying, “SportsAid played an important role when I was starting out so I know what a huge boost this will be to the young sportsmen and women the charity helps today. As patron Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge will give them the profile they deserve.”
