Ronnie McGowan

An abiding heart-warming snapshot of London took place on the Jubilee line going out to the Olympic Stadium on a sunny August afternoon. A group of New Zealand swimmers came on at London Bridge, young, fit with razor sharp muscles, exactly what you’d expect to see in an Olympian Kiwi water sportsman. The carriage came to life and there was a genuine interaction between the athletes and passengers especially with the youngsters who were requesting autographs - the ambiance was beautiful, just right. Why should I have been surprised?

In a previous working life you will know, if you’ve been listening, that I like to get into work early. There are huge advantages in this, the roads are quieter with time to absorb the surrounding countryside, time for thoughts, time to tune into 5 Live ‘through the night’, time to read the morning papers in peace with a double espresso and croissant.

There is a reason why the jacket has to have that new look – the Paralympic logo is different from the five rings of the Olympic Games and it depicts the wonderful Paralympic motto ‘spirit in motion’.

1.    There has to be someone at Executive level within Glasgow 2014 who has a clear vision of the role of the Volunteer. London 2012 was determined to better the template forged by Sydney 2000, regarded as having the best ever Volunteer programme.

9th August

During a question session someone asked "will we get pins?"  ("only if you sit in the same position for too long," was the answer I was expecting.)

July 23

Based at Heathrow, Ronnie has been busy welcoming the first athletes to London - and there have already been some big stars among them.

After a few false starts in Hastings, a caravan in Chichester seems at first a good idea then transforms into an eleven week booking. Sometimes you just have to go for it!

This was no ordinary track. Its six-lane circuit was part of an amphitheatre. A Roman amphitheatre, filled with spectators.