London 2012 – The Final Countdown: Students place their bets for the Olympics

It’s the final week of countdown to the London 2012 Olympics, and students are sharing their last minute pre-Olympic-views on those looking good as medal hopefuls, and those who are also just plain good-looking…

‘Badminton  and athletics and … oh well everything really the olympics are in the UK!’

The torch has reached its final destination in the capital, and students are shedding light on which events they are most looking forward to, and which athletes they will be mostly looking at.

• Athletics

‘Opening ceremony (I enjoy the flag parade bit) and the 100m sprint (the male one) ‘

Apart from anticipation around the opening ceremony and some students just looking forward to the spectacle over the sports, it is not surprising that Athletics, known to be one of the most popular events at the Games, featured heavily in the thread.

‘Personally I can’t wait for the men’s 100m. Gonna be the best one for years! With Bolt, Gay, and Blake all looking good it’s going to be very competitive! Also be keeping an eye on Jessica Ennis‘

The men’s 100 metre final and the relays were named as the races to watch, and Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis among the most anticipated and favourite athletes.

‘Definitely watching Farah run… Such a great competitor.’

‘…Jess Ennis seems really lovely, and she’s a great athlete, and based on her recent performances she really really does deserve that gold!’

Students have a real knowledge and appreciation of a range of the sports on offer, and intensive discussions focused around the expected showdown between Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Tyson Gay (see also Who is going to win 100m, Blake, Bolt or someone else?), and around the stiff competition in the Gymnastics.

• Gymnastics

‘Women’s artistic gymnastics, the only event really. I am obsessed with it, can name almost every gymnast qualified…cannot WAIT.’

There was reference to  a perceived rivalry between the America and Russian Teams, noting among them the American hopefuls, Gabby Douglas and Jordyn Wieber, and their Russian counterparts, Aliya Mustafina and Viktoria Komova, also mentioning Team GB member, Beth Tweddle.

• Water Sports

‘I like watching swimming. It gets quite exciting if there is a close finish.’

Swimming is also expected to offer some crowd-pleasing photo finishes and medal-winning feats, this time at the hands of Michael Phelps, the current record holder for the most gold medals won in a single Olympic year.

‘Any event with Michael Phelps, will he finish as the most successful Olympian ever?’

Rowing was picked out by many students as presenting a good medal winning opportunity for the home nation.

‘Rowing is a great shout! Great chance for Britain to get some medals and show everyone how good they are at it!’

• ‘Tennis and Ennis’

‘- Tennis, its going to be great being in wimbledon and I just love watching it - Jessica ennis <3‘

It’s not long since the conclusion of two of this year’s other major sporting tournaments, Euro 2012 and Wimbledon, and student sports fans can’t wait for their next fix!

’100 m final, the football, the relays (who’s gonna drop the baton)’

There is a lot of fervour about the football not least to fill the void until the British leagues resume play next month. There is also particular excitement around the venues for these events such as the return to the grass courts of Wimbledon for the tennis, and Old Trafford for some of the football.

‘Got tickets to see Brazil play at Old Trafford… the team’s brimming with quality, can see them winning the gold to be honest. As a United fan, the chance to see and support Brazil on home turf is once in a lifetime, I’m so excited ’

Other events that were mentioned include Show jumping, Cycling, Basketball, Badminton, Diving, Table Tennis, Wrestling, Hockey, Judo, Weightlifting, and Handball, which inspired particular intrigue.

‘Football (because GB are involved) and of course beach volleyball… for the volleyball only of course! ’

• ‘Don’t forget the Paralympians too- second in the Beijing medals table.’

There were, however, a minority of students finding no fun in the Games, instead purely looking forward to the closing ceremony and the passing of the torch.

‘The closing ceremony. There are already too many tourists in London who can’t use escalators properly and saunter at a casual pace through the underground or along Oxford Street.’

Others see the closing ceremony as part of the build up to the next opportunity for yet more exhilaration and sporting stimulation, for where the Olympic Games end, the Paralympic Games begin!

‘Archery!!!!! Still may be getting tickets to the paralympic semi finals and finals.’

What are you most looking forward to at the London 2012 Olympic Games? let us know in the comment box below…