End to a Sensational Summer

Some Games Makers gather in Trafalgar Sq for an early photo call

A very big thank you was what the day was all about. Thanks from the public to the athletes, the athletes to the public, to all the volunteers, the team coaches and support staff, the servicemen and women, the blue light services and the organising committees who had made the last six weeks, the most memorable London experience that we could ever imagine.

A good space was waiting opposite St. Mary le Strand

People begin to take up their spaces and the street cleaners arrive

An hours later, there wasn't a free space anywhere

A determination to have a good view and be at the front of the barriers, meant a two and half hour wait at the side of the road, but on these occasions time can pass quickly with some people watching. This is a time when total strangers strike up conversations and behave like old friends for a few hours, then pleasantly say farewell and never see each other again! 

There comes a point when everyone gets a cheer!

Great for the Police to work on a happy occasion

The mounted Police joined in the high fiving!

It was a day of overwhelming emotions for both cheering Londoners, our wonderful athletes and visitors to the city who must have been stunned by the euphoria.

The parade was led by red and blue lions followed by dancers, acrobats and musicians. Then it wasn’t long to wait for our first familiar face, the ever smiling Mo Farah on the first of the 21 flatbed trucks.

 

The pavements were now choc-a-bloc, office workers were hanging out of their windows and every side street and alley was packed tight with people. Many had no chance of seeing any of the parade, but were just happy to feel and hear the atmosphere.

Trafalgar Sq. and surrounding roads  Photo:  Getty

The athletes had their own messages of thanks and were quick to engage eye contact with the cheering crowd, and seemed to want to acknowledge us all personally. Some seemed slightly embarrassed to show their medals, we had to persuade some to hold them high for the crowds to see. 

Several looked understandably stunned by the depth of the crowds and the warmth of the welcome. 

A quick change of location to Trafalgar square was only achieved by taking a very speedy walk through the back streets of Covent Garden, before the rest of the crowd had the same thought. 

With a perfect vantage point sitting on the steps of St. Martin’s in the Field the flypast arrived on time, despite the fact the parade had seriously fallen behind schedule, but that didn’t matter everyone was in such a wonderful state of mind. 

 First over was the British Airways ‘Firefly with ‘Thank You’ imprinted on its underbelly, followed by 2 Lynx, a Puma and a Sea King helicopter. 

Photo:  National Pictures

Photo: AP

A surveillance aircraft flew in formation with the two Typhoons which had been on standby near London, in case of emergencies. Then our tremendous RAF display team the Red Arrows, with their red, white and blue streaming across London. This was a dramatic tribute to a remarkable occasion.

Observing this carnival of joy, I didn’t want to leave as it would mean this sensational summer had ended, but we have so many wonderful memories and a desire to keep this amazing spirit of London alive forever.

The empty flatbed trucks head out of London

The wonderful Games Makers head back to their normal lives

Thank you everyone.