We all have our memories of the
2012 Olympics in London .
As far as my own family (Margreet and I) were concerned, we planned to not
travel, stay at home, lock the door, and watch the goings-on on television.
But,
as I am English and Margreet Dutch, there was a dichotomy of allegiances
involved. “We” generally meant English (or British) and us both, and “you” - Dutch. So Margreet had a firmer foot in my camp
and me a lighter foot in hers – if you can see what I am trying to say.
What we hadn’t
quite anticipated was that we were to entertain some (generally large) Dutch
relations and their friends.
Two of these
were dressed entirely in orange suits. They were not just ragbag and bobtail
but well-educated and fervent nationalists – and out to have fun.
I felt that
their violent orange display of nationalism was rather on the excessive side,
but then realised that many of the home crowd were adorned equally violently in
the bright colours of the Union flag.
Anyhow, after
imbibing elsewhere beforehand, our Dutch contingent came to be entertained for
drinks in our garden, where a considerable amount of wine was consumed. With
only olives and our “house” pancake to eat, they left for Olympic entertainment
(provided by bikini-clad Beach Volleyball ladies) in a jolly mood.
Just what
happened to them later was none of our business. We heard that they returned to
the Netherlands
having had a splendid time here.
Another
Dutch relation, an eminent lawyer and ardent sports fan (especially of
Olympics), had been residing with friends in a hotel near to Victoria Station.
He had seen and enjoyed many of the sporting events that took place in
specialist venues – one building of which he found to be architecturally
interesting.
He
came to visit family before leaving for home and had quite a different view of
the Olympic occasion.
He
loved the sports, but found the Olympic site to be far too large. It had been a
considerable trek to get from one venue to another. Whereas the more compact Athens site had been an
occasion for intimacy between spectators and athletes, here there was too much
space in which to feel part of the sporting and festive scene.
He
also found the colours of buildings and paving to be drab after Athens . All seemed grey,
in contrast to the colours displayed in Greece .
One
of his comments really interested us. He was astounded to see so many drunken
women lying on the ground in London .
So,
in two groups of Dutchmen, we experienced two diverse viewpoints concerning the
games.
One
crowd had come “on the spree” and loved it, the other to enjoy the camaraderie,
colour and sport, with the sport winning hands down, and with the rest rather a
disappointment.
