DESPITE the pictures of empty seats and the occasional return of the true British summer, we must feel a sense of great pride in our hosting of the Olympics.
London is the only city to have hosted the modern games three times and it is easy to see why our great capital city is high up the rankings in any international vote. The essential structures for this great world contest were completed on time, to a high standard, and include features of portability and re-use.
A fine example is the basketball stadium which can be disassembled and recycled or taken to a new location, which could reduce costs for the next country to host the Olympic Games.
Hosting the Olympics represents an opportunity for our country to showcase itself to the world and this was certainly not lost in the opening ceremony. This was a remarkable celebration of our history, culture, wit and Britishness. Everyone will have understood something from this event but few would have understood everything.
Overall the opening ceremony was a profound illustration as to why our small country, with less than one per cent of the world’s population, has had such global influence. This influence was not always benign or well-motivated in the first instance but the British footprint is today seen all over the world in a positive manifestation.
We will not win the most medals. Perhaps we will not even come close to the heady days of Beijing 2008, where we finished fourth with 47 medals.
Of course, none of this is the central point about being British. That is much more about the privilege of taking part, respecting our opponents, and celebrating the success of all of the winners from whatever countries they come from.
Sometimes success comes from unexpected sources and it also true that when our media do too much to tout our chances in a particular event, we do not always do as well as expected. It is as though there is a force out there reminding us to be true to our principles of modesty.
Legacy is always important for an Olympics host nation. Certainly the Olympic Village is designed to be converted into residential accommodation after the Games and this will be an important housing development for the city. This is in addition to the retention of important sporting facilities in this part of the capital.
Equally important will be the impression that we all give of Britain through the way that we welcome the world. That legacy will resonate in a positive way for many years to come.