The streets come alive for London 2012’s free events

The London 2012 Olympic Games kicked off in fine fashion on Friday night – and already it’s shaping up to be an absolute triumph for Great Britain.

British flags adorn streets, shop windows, homes and vehicles; Games ambassadors draped in pink have invaded the central city and corporate sponsors McDonalds’, Adidas and Coca-Cola are almost as prominent as Team GB’s athletes on giant billboards throughout London.

One only needs to see how many people turned out in south-west London today for the men’s cycling road race.

The London 2012 Olympics road race from PutneyThe crowds are in awe at the London 2012 road race

And it’s not just the Brits who’re getting behind their team. In Putney, south west London, the New Zealand flag was proudly flown from flat’s overlooking the street and Australian and South African flags were also omnipresent.

The cycling was fast and furious – as you’d expect. In fact, you could have been there and still missed seeing any cyclists if you blinked at the wrong moment.

The men's road race in Putney, London 2012 Olympics

NZ's Jack Bauer powers through Putney, London 2012

Kazakhstan’s Alexandre Vinokourov won the gold medal in the Olympic road race with Columbian Rigoberto Uran claiming silver and Norway’s Alexander Kristoff winning the bronze medal.

It was an event Team GB was expected to do well in but British cyclists will have another shot at golden Olympic glory tomorrow at the women’s road race kicks-off, which will give Londoners another opportunity to take to the streets in support of their Olympic heroes.

More free Olympic sporting events:

  • Men’s individual time trial, 1 August 2012, 1-4:15pm at Hampton Court Palace.
  • Women’s individual time trial, 1 August 2012, 10-11:30am at Hampton Court Palace.
  • Women’s marathon, 5 August 2012, 11am-2pm at The Mall.
  • Men’s marathon, 12 August 2012, 11am-1:40pm at The Mall.
  • Men’s 20km race walk, 4 August 2012, 5-6:30pm at The Mall.
  • Men’s 50km race walk, 11 August 2012, 9am-1:20pm at The Mall.
  • Women’s 20km race walk, 11 August 2012, 5-6:30pm at The Mall.

Finally, it’s worth noting that although the men’s and women’s triathlon events are ticketed, spectators can go see parts of both of these events for free on Saturday 4 August and Tuesday 7 August respectively. For more information visit London 2012’s official website.

About Simon Petersen 500 Articles
Travel blogger, journalist, sports and movie fiend. Chronicling the life and times of a Kiwi at home and abroad.

2 Comments

  1. I got to see the women’s marathon yesterday, didn’t even know that it was happening that same afternoon. Pretty good though to at least catch a glimpse of the free ones, as the tickets are very hard to get!

    • The tickets have been extremely hard to get! I love the free ones – because for some people this will be the only chance they get to see any of the sporting action live so they tend to go all out supporting their team.

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