It was a wonderful experience to visit the Aquatics Centre at the Olympic Park at Stratford.
The journey was easy, and inside and outside of the Olympic Park there are lots of marshals ready and willing to help and point you in the right direction. The security screening is well organised and I sailed through in minutes. (I don't mind how long good security screening takes!).
Once in the centre, again there were lots of volunteers giving directions and welcoming people to the centre. We Brits are going to have to get used to being approached and welcomed, it's a wonderfully refreshing change. When leaving, again all the staff and volunteers asked if I had had a good time, was there anything they could do to help me get back to the station etc. It was more user friendly than Disney World. :-)
It is less than 10 minutes walk from the train to the Olympic Park, and there is a bus shuttle between the Park and the main entrance to the station. Immediately beside the Olympic Park is the Westfield Centre, with many shops, cinemas, and restaurants serving food from around the world. I can recommend the Vietnamese food from Poh in the Food Court.
Many of the competitors opted to use the main pool to warm up so we were treated to a master class in every stroke. The sense of anticpation built up and then came the all important Finals and Semi Finals.
Aimme Willmott's family were sitting behind us and shouted themselves hoarse as she swam the race of her life to qualify for the Olympic team. Tears all round as everyone shared in the emotion that saw the culmination of years of hard work and dedication from Aimee and her family.
Then came the qualifying races for the competitors for the Paralympics. Inspirational performances from some wonderful young athletes.
The whole experience of attending the British Swimming Championships is one I shall never forget - and I am lucky enough to be going again next Friday.
London 2012 Bring it on!!! I have my flag ready and I've already seen how great Team GB are going to be.
