Society

10 things about the Games that surprised us this weekend

Anything can happen when competition gets under way. And yet …

Jonathon Gatehouse, Charlie Gillis and Ken MacQueen are representing Maclean’s in London at the 2012 Summer Games. Veterans of more than a dozen Olympics, they are well aware that anything can happen once the flame is lit and the competition is under way.

Even still, here are some things that managed to catch us by surprise:

  1. Michael Phelps in the 400 IM.
  2. Cyclist Clara Hughes in the women’s road race.
  3. The cauldron controversy.
  4. CTV’s decision to go with I Believe (again).
  5. Émilie Heymans, cool, composed and tweeting 12 minutes before competition. “Watch your TVs for the three-metre synchro,” she typed. “Jennifer Abel and Émilie Heymans for the first medal for Canada! Houu!!”
  6. Ryan Cochrane, a decade ago. Canadian swim coach Randy Bennett told us that’s when he recognized the now 23-year-old freestyler was a champion. How? The teenager flipped his coach the bird. “That’s when I knew,” Bennett said.
  7. Olympic spirit, as expressed in DIY manicures. 
  8. The friendliness of the security detail at the 2012 Games.
  9. London’s success? “Due to the success of Canada.” 
  10. The single word our correspondent used sum up the Opening Ceremonies? (Gesamtkunstwerk.)

 Click here for our coverage of the 2012 Olympics. 

 

 

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
FILED UNDER: