Nation's Sense of Itself Has Been Utterly Transformed by Olympics

By Good News Network Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Civics and World - General

The International Olympic Committee's decision seven years ago to choose London has, after 17 sport-packed days, been joyously, wondrously vindicated.

The most precious and unexpected result of the London Olympics, though, is the mood of national confidence and enthusiasm they have generated. Hosting the Olympics has boosted national morale more than any single event in most people's living memory. The capital and the country have been transformed.

Yes, the UK won many gold medals, but it was not just the British winners who were cheered; audiences were generous to a fault, applauding victorious rivals, and reserving – in typically British way – special acclaim for those who came in last.

(READ the full story in the Independent)