The Olympic Champions victory parade took place in Manchester today. Four years ago the parade was in London. After the month or more of bringing joy to the country with their Herculean efforts, it was only right that those who brought us the sense of euphoria were given a well deserved sent off.
I was in India during the Paralympics to attend my friend’s daughter’s wedding and so missed all the action. I kept abreast with all the news, but was sad that I wasn’t here to enjoy it to the full.
Luckily I was off on the day the event was due to happen, the Monday after I came back from India. Kavitha was free that day as well.
By scouring the newspapers, we found the best recommended position along the route to get a good view. We arrived about 20 minutes before the start and found a very good spot. Despite the fact that it was a working day in the Capital, the streets were packed. Everyone was in a party mood and we joined in. It didn’t start on time, but it didn’t matter. Soon they came, all our Olympic and Paralympic heroes and heroines with their medals, atop parade floats. We waved and cheered them along. Once the procession ended, we followed the crowds to Trafalgar Square where the parade ended and watched the Royal Airforce’s fly past.
A fitting end to a few weeks of euphoria which engulfed our city and brought joy to us all in a manner that none of us could ever have imagined or were prepared for.
