(Source: aips.com)- It is one month until the start of the London Olympic Games and the occasion has been marked in the Gambia by the British High Commission in Fajara flying the official London 2012 Olympic flag. It was an opportunity to grab a word with the High Commissioner.
And in the interview with this AIPS Young Reporter at his Banjul office, the British top diplomat to The Gambia, David Morley, said that in 30 days from now, the ears of the world will turn to the United Kingdom, as bells will bring out across our land to mark the first day of the London 2012 Olympic games.
“I think when we bid we felt it was right for the UK to host these games again, and of course it will be the first-ever city to host the Olympics three times. Andwhat we want to do in 2012 is to make history again by creating the first genuine legacy games”. He first opined.
Afteryears of detailed planning and preparations, the foundations of their visions are firmly in place. As well as the physical legacy of the London 2012 Games, which according to the British high commissioner to the Gambia is clearly visible in London’s magnificent new Olympic Park and the transformation of east London, new initiatives and programmes are creating sustainable social, economic and sporting legacies in the UK and around the world.
Gambia National Olympic Committee will be leading a local delegation of athletes and officials to the games and over the years the GNOC has had an outstanding relationship with the University of York in the north of England and the diplomat believes the Gambian delegation will feel at home.
“The advantage I think for the Gambianvisitors is that the UK has such a long relationship with The Gambia. Many thousands of UK visitors come here every year and I haven’t heard or met anybody who doesn’t love this country. So the Gambian visitors are going to a country full of people who like the Gambian people” the diplomat stated during an exclusive interview on Wednesday.
He also had advice for other Gambians planning to travel to London for the games who are not part of the official delegation. “Well, I think I have to be absolutely honest, I could see the hotel prices going up, so I think if the Gambian visitors are lucky enough to stay with a friend, that’s good enough. And again, I’d advise people to apply for their visas early because it takes a little bit longer than it used to be.
He concluded by talking about his expectations on the track and field events adding that he will be looking out for team GB and team Gambia on the medals table hoping they would perform to expectations. “Basically I would like to see a simple athletics race where British competitors will be competing on an equal footing with foreign competitors. So I just want everybody who goes to participate and feels that they are doing their country proud. I think obviously I’d be looking at the medal table for the UK but I’d be keeping a close eye on how the Gambians are doing as well,” he said.
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