The Olympic Spirit Vs. The Determined Showers

By Author: Room Smith
Total Articles: 33
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A summer long party is on in the United Kingdom and the erratic drizzles don’t seem to bother people. But the community show-up at the Olympic Torch relay definitely seems to bother the city planners, as the pressure has risen for better ways of crowd-management and overall security. With around 75% of the population showing up in any given town, the celebrations are at an all-time high and the usually subdued British are now expressing their joy loud and clear.

For instance, around June 22-23, when the torch was travelling along the East Coast, the route of the Torch had to be shifted for a few hours to keep it blazing. Despite the terrible Blackpool weather, the crowd excitedly cheered on their Afghan experienced hero on his wheelchair as he relayed on without caring about getting drenched. The rain never stopped and nor did people. Although most people planning to catch a glimpse of the award-winning Torch or participating in the community activities are in a habit of checking on the weather, often they are disappointed ...
... when the actual weather doesn’t harmonize with the predictions.

It is particularly common if the forecast referred to was a 10-day or fortnight long forecast. This is where a 7-day weather forecast won’t let you down. Weather, not being a precise science, requires continuous cross-verification of forecast given by the forecast model with the actual conditions, for reliable forecasting. Hence the quality of a forecast longer than a week, is bound deteriorate. But a week’s forecast should serve just right for our personal plans especially when they’re about getting out there and taking in all of the inspiring vibes surrounding the Olympic gala.

A curious mind may wonder as to how come absolutely no one minds the rains or waiting for long hours with umbrellas on their heads! It really is quite a sight. It seems, although just for a while, Lennon’s words are really happening – ‘imagine all the people, sharing all the world’. Psychological researches over the past forty years have been able to link the weather and the mood. Cloudy weather is supposedly a buzz kill. But the spirited masses display otherwise. It could be due to 17 hours of available daylight since sunny sky is said to harness optimism. Or it could just be the new-found joy of mass celebration.
The Torch comes to a halt on 27th July in the capital city. Such persistent sprinkles or downpours may continue to be a part of London weather in July as well. Will it dampen the Olympic Spirit? Looking at the folks right now, it seems to be quite the contrary, come rain or come shine.