Since I was a young boy I was absolutey hooked on the Olympic Games. It would be the one time I would be incredibly lazy as I wouldn't want to leave the tv as it was such a great watch flicking from event to event all day. Seven years ago London won the bid to host the games in 2012, which was a surreal feeling that the city I was born and bred in would be hosting the greatest sporting event on earth.

As time has gone by I saw the park growing and the excitement certainly built. In the months and weeks leading up to the games London certainly wasn't one of the most enthusiastic cities due to strikes by bus, train, tube drivers wanting undeserved bonuses for working during the games. It made Londoners expect weeks of stress through longer working hours, increased travel, increased crowds etc.

You could apply for tickets months before the games, which I didn't do as I honestly didn't expect to get any so I didn't even try (Not good for a PT to say I know). The games finally arrived to an opening ceremony that was absolutely amazing for a Brit to watch even if everyone else didn't understand it. The ceremony however lifted London and gave the capital a real buzz especially after watching young athletes light the cauldron and announcing the theme of the games 'inspire a generation'.

After the first few games it was made clear how many empty seats there were at events even though they were all meant to be sold out as Olympic tickets are normally like gold dust. After spending hours on my computer trying to get tickets and giving up I text an email from my brother saying BOOKED WE ARE GOING. I was absolutely unable to hide my excitement I went onto every social media site called friends, family telling them as this was a dream coming true for me.

My brother was able to book us 2 tickets to the Copper Box, which is used for the handball events. It is a game that I had never seen apart from in the Olympics so was unsure what to expect. From the moment we arrived at the Olympic Park the atmosphere was like a huge party. The crowd were excited, the amazing volunteers getting the crowd going it was certainly surreal. Once inside the Copper Box a presenter is given the job of hyping up the crowd before the two games we saw which were Spain vs S Korea and France Vs Tunisia where Spain and France both won respectively.

Afterwards we decided to take in the park eating lunch at park live watching the other events on a giant screen and sitting with the crowds. We also had a look at all the arenas with the most impressive by far is the velodrome which looked outstanding and one I wish I could of got in and experienced. We kept walking around wasting time as we didn't want to leave and when we eventually did we headed for Westfield shopping centre next to the park. I have been here many many times but was an amazing experience in itself. Walking around the centre you saw all the athletes from the games as they have to keep they uniform and tags on at all times so one minute we were stood next to a coach from Turkmenistan and suddenly whilst clothes shopping was stood next to USA 110m hurdles sprinter Aries Merritt.

We got on the train and I just couldn't wipe the smile off of my face. It was a once in a lifetime thing, I actually went to the Olympic Games and even writing this now I still can't quite believe it. I am now back on my sofa hooked on the games once more and it has inspired me so much to work even harder on my fitness and possibly even try a new sport. The slogan for these games 'inspire a generation' I think are perfect and I certainly think it will. I have since booked 3 seperate events for the Paralympic Games so will be back in the park again cheering the world of athletes on.

A dream come true

Anthony