Carlbob.com prepares

Not only are we now passed the point of one-year-to-the-Olympics-ness, in 12 months from today the main event will actually be over, rather distressingly. True, the Paralympics are to follow. But the usual post-Olympics comedown will be even more intense than ever. Hopefully, though, we'll be looking back over a few weeks worth of amazing sport, well-organised packed-out events, British medals galore and a tube system that functioned so well we become the envy of the Western world. Or something. So with fewer than 366 days to go, it's time to start savouring every moment of the build-up, as it really will end up being blink-and-you'll-miss-it when we get there.

Over the last couple of weeks Carlbob.com has been doing its bit. We popped into Trafalgar Square for the One Year To Go event. It was faintly disappointing - a little shambolic at times, and the actual countdown itself, at 1930, which we assumed was the whole point, was completely missed. But it was still exciting; we got to see the medals; and Boris's speech was a definite highlight. Time for a repeat visit to Stratford to see progress on the Olympic Park. It didn't feel hugely changed from the trip we did in November in many ways, but that's largely because the stadium's been completed for a while, and the landscaping will have the most noticeable effect and no doubt that'll be last. Most notable changes were that the ArcelorMittal tower was progressing, and the Aquatic Centre was complete - including the temporary seating wings that ruin the whole look of it a tad.

Saw some Diamond League Athletics in action at Crystal Palace. In a few years time, of course, them's'll be fields - or something else I guess. While it'll be great to have a shiny Athletics stadium post-Olympics (some time post given that it'll take a few years to convert it post-games), and the Palace really is pretty run down (the men's loos haven't had a clean since 1982 I understand), it's kinda iconic and I've seen some top athletics there (I vividly remember watching Jonathan Edwards jump 18m at the 1995 McDonalds Games on a scorching post-World Champs August day).

London Prepares got underway and we've done our bit in helping it do so. Firstly Mark made a big sacrifice and plunged into the Serpentine to give the Triathlon a whirl (and did bloody well - great time!). Then this morning we both made a further sacrifice and hauled our hungover selves out of bed and down the road to Putney High Street to see the riders in the London-Surrey Classic on the final stretch of the race as it heads back into London.

After which we trotted down to Horseguards Parade for the Beach Volleyball - the final session of the week-long tournament. The British duo of Johns and Boulton played in the bronze medal match, but lost out to one of the Brazilian pairs - whose fellow countrywomen then triumphed over the USA in the final afterwards. It was a great few hours - high-energy, shortish matches, no chance to get bored. Plus dancing girls, extensive amounts of whooping and, best of all, more clapping...



Next Saturday (following a bit of athleticism in the morning at the Pride Run) we're helping out London once again with the BMX - and a chance to see an event in the actual Olympic Park!

London Prepares: Beach Volleyball, a photo by carlbob on Flickr.