Cynics, go **** yourselves.
This was the Olympics that raised a middle finger to anyone that ever doubted London, anyone that ever doubted the UK, and anyone who ever doubted sport.
For me it's been characterised by three things. One is obvious - London. My city is buzzing more than usual, full of happy locals and awestruck tourists - this is the greatest city in the world, we all know it, and for those that didn't, we just showed them.
The second is spirit. The manufactured Britain of the tabloid press, the X Factor, Westminster MPs and Premiership football that is obsessed with self-promotion and snide fakery has disappeared blissfully down the toilet where it belongs, for two whole glorious weeks. In its place is the Britain we've seen at London 2012, one where we've shown genuine emotion as we've experienced the simple pleasure that skill, talent and hard work can bring - and in many cases, the simple pleasure of seeing somebody else's pride in their own achievement.
Steve Cram's wonderful impassioned commentary of Farah's 5000m finish, Denise Lewis' reaction to his victory, Steve Redgrave at the rowing, Chad le Clos' father... I could go on. Genuine emotions that showed how much people care for the values of the Olympic Movement. Those bemoaning the cost or the location fail to see the bigger picture, that the Olympics was never just about 7 years of preparation from a British perspective - it's about a continuing movement that brings the world together to celebrate a set of values I for one agree with.
The third thing that has characterised the games for me has been the many tasteful touches that we've seen. Usain Bolt doing the Mobot as he crossed the line, aware of the rapturous British audience. The NHS, our greatest and most under-appreciated invention, being paid tribute to in the opening ceremony. The French team at the closing ceremony waving double-sided Tricolour/Union flags. Kirani James making the point of swapping nameplates with Oscar Pistorius. So many more.
It's not been particularly fun being British over recent years. Recession coupled with dreadful popular culture coupled with dreadful politicians coupled with a doom-obsessed media has made the country thoroughly depressing. Maybe the wonderful sport, good will and positivity exhibited at these games can show us there's a different outlook for us to take. I hope everyone else enjoyed it as much as I did!
