Inspired to Inspire

I am a normally cynical person.  The grass is always greener.  But nowhere was the grass greener on Friday night than in Stratford’s Olympic stadium.

It was a great ceremony to kick off what I have no doubt will be a great 16 days of sport. 

The Olympics tagline is ‘Inspire a Generation’.  Today I ran to the big screen in Victoria Park and, on arriving covered in sweat, was asked “did you run here?” by an incredulous (if slightly disgusted) steward.

“Yes,” I answered, “I’ve been watching the Olympics and I have been inspired.”  The buzz in London tells me the effect is widespread.

But, ever the cynic, I worry.  Seb Coe and his team won this Olympics largely on their pledge of an Olympics ‘Legacy’.  But the struggle to secure a permanent occupant for the Olympic stadium may turn out to be symbolic of a more general failure to extend the Games’ inspirational impact beyond this incredible fortnight.

This must not happen.  It can not be allowed to happen.  And so I want to do my part.  I have been inspired to inspire.