Gold Challenge
Olympic Stadium Event
Stratford, London
1st April 2012
Reviewed by Dorothy White
My daughter, granddaughter and myself left Luton bright and early on Sunday morning. Just over one hour later we were at the Olympic Stadium queuing up to collect our tickets.
The security for the event must have taken some organising! People arriving by train were met by officials to point out the way, even the traffic was stopped at regular intervals so the busy road could be crossed by the crowds!
Once we had our tickets we walked back up the road to the entrance where we joined another queue for the security check. The queues reminded me of Disneyland Paris, up, down, up, down but there were a couple of airport style security gates to go through on the way before we reached the baggage check!
At last we reached the main baggage checking area, row upon row of security equipment. Handbags and coats had to be removed and put through the scanner while we walked through yet another security gate!
At last we could head for the Olympic Stadium. We walked past the Aquatics Centre where the Olympic Swimming Trials were held recently and on to the stadium. The routes were clearly signposted, there was no chance of us taking a wrong turning and having to take our turn running round the track!
We climbed the stairs and found our seats. The stadium isn’t completely finished and there are still blocks of seats to go in.
The races started. 4 x 100m relays, schools, groups and companies all took part, some were out there to win, whilst some were there just for the fun of being able to say they had raced at the Olympic Stadium and raised money for charity.
Relays over performers took to the stage which had been set up at one end of the arena ~ unfortunately we were too far away to see clearly, but there was a screen which helped.
The sun came out!!! We went to look for food!! There was plenty of choice including Paninis or toasties, roast pork in a roll, fish and chips, hot and cold drinks. We decided on a portion of chicken nuggets and chips which my daughter and granddaughter shared, whilst I had chips. The fish looked delicious but the portions were huge!!! There were hot and cold drinks on sale.
We took our food back to our seats and sat in the sunshine eating it, washing it down with diet cola!
There were plenty of toilet facilities at the base of the stands.
More races, children’s races, able bodied and disabled races, young and old, family races. They all proudly took part and wore their medals in the parade which was led by the British Lion ~ approximately 5000 people took part in the parade and filled the stadium!!!
My granddaughter became quite excited when ‘Blake’ appeared on stage! We even witnessed a live proposal of marriage ~ she said yes!!!
I didn’t really know any of the celebrities, but my daughter recognised a couple who were being interviewed.
A fun day was had by all helped by the warm sunshine, lots of money was raised for charity and the venue was tested in readiness for the Olympics!
To get involved and start your own Gold Challenge visit: www.goldchallenge.org