Olympic mascots Wenlock and Mandeville
The background
The Olympics: an event that showcases sporting glory, physical feats unimaginable to most and the philosophy of ‘higher, faster, stronger’. As it turns out, this is also an event that showcases a special brand of craziness. We present the top five weirdest London 2012 stories so far.
Prince Harry to support beach volleyball in person
Ok, this isn’t really weird; it makes perfect sense. The Daily Mail reported that “playboy prince” Harry is due to attend the women’s beach volleyball on 8th August – and that he is “tremendously excited” about it.
This won’t be Prince Harry’s first beach volleyball experience – he played a game in Rio earlier in the year.
Olympians crash Grindr?
“A gay dating website crashed within minutes of the first Olympic athletes arriving in London – due to the volume of demand, say experts,” according to People. Quoting “a Londoner”, the report went on: “Either loads of athletes were logging on to meet fellow Olympians or were looking to bag a local.”
Dancing policeman becomes YouTube hit
Despite reports of pre-Olympics grumpiness, it seems some people are getting into the London 2012 spirit. A police outrider took the opportunity to bust some moves in front of cheering crowds during the Torch relay.
Go, dancing policeman, go!
Boris Johnson recites ode to the Olympics
Mop-haired London Mayor Boris Johnson had a very special treat for attendees at an International Olympic Committee gala ahead of the Games: a specially commissioned poem in Ancient Greek. Armand D’Angour, who composed the ode in the style of ancient poet Pindar, told The Guardian: “Like any other classicist, Boris couldn’t imagine the Games without Pindar.”
Kits not a hit
Spain’s Olympic athletes took to Twitter to criticize their – ahem – striking Olympic outfits. Sprint canoe gold medallist Saúl Craviotto tweeted his displeasure, along with a photograph of the offending get-up.
The kit was provided free of charge by Bosco – the company also responsible for the Russian team’s eye-catching London 2012 outfits, modelled by these cheery souls below.
