These last days have shown once again that the British are definitely regaining the leading role on the international landscape that a great nation as is the UK deserves.
Saturday, 02 July.
On an initiative of rock stars Bono, Richard Curtis and Sir Bob Geldof, the greatest live concert ever, followed by two thirds of the world’s population, took place in ten major cities across four continents. More than 100 leading artists played live to claim with millions of people in plazas, streets and parks “making poverty history”.
Wednesday, 06 July.
London is given the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. A state of the art bid book, campaign and lobbying, headed by former Olympic champion Lord Sebastian Coe and boosted by PM Tony Blair, convinces IOC (International Olympic Committee) members that London was the city to vote for. The message was just as simple as effective and Olympic sound. While the Paris presentation contained a seemingly “emotive” film presenting superb constructions and promising a wonderful journey in the French capital (was it supposed that one of the most visited cities in the world wasn’t beautiful enough ?), the London presentation turned to youth, games legacy and the Olympic ideal.
By giving the stage to London, IOC members gave also an Olympic lesson to everyone proving that things are not always predetermined in the advantage of the favourite part (rumours about an arranged deal or promise to give the games to Paris after its 2001 defeat versus Beijing on 2008 games). I believe this shall give or revive hopes of millions around the globe.
Wednesday, 07 July.
Terrorist attacks in London spoil the feast and cause tens (more than 50 by the time I’m writing this) of murdered and hundreds (more than 700) wounded.
Wednesday, 08 July.
The G8 leaders cancel the debt of the 18 poorest African countries, agree to boost aid for developing countries by $50bn by 2010 and commit to work towards cutting subsidies and tariffs.
Londoners get back to everyday life ; It’s (almost) “business as usual”. A letter is written to the terrorists : “All you’ve done is end some of our lives, and ruin some more. […]Our city works. We rather like it. And we’re going to go about our lives. We’re going to take care of the lives you ruined. And then we’re going to work. And we’re going down the pub”.
Definitely, quite a lot of Londoners must have had at least one answer to the question Heather Small has been asking (and challenging) during all the Olympic bid campaign : “what have you done today to make you feel proud ?”