Beyond the Blue Umbrella: The Great Olympic Hangover.

As a Vancouverite, I can't help but feel empathetic to the people of Great Britain, as the all too familiar post Olympic hangover begins to settle in. This time around, for Canadians, it simply means changing the channels on our televisions for the first time in two weeks. While yes, this is a great physical feat for our thumbs, it is a lot easier emotionally, than experiencing first hand, the empty feeling, as the city slowly drains after hosting the world's largest party for fourteen straight days. We can all vouch that the Vancouver games left Canada with a greater sense of identity, but London 2012 has done that and more. A year ago, London was burning as riots broke out all over the city. The games have provided the people of the U.K. with a sense of cohesion, and perhaps a little optimism, that yes, while the hard times are far from over, they can and will get through it. Like most high profile sporting events, it will inspire generations of youth to compete. Team Great Britain's overall performance was outstanding. This display of athleticism proved to the world that they are a force to reckon with, but more importantly showed the British people that their programs have made huge strides, and that they now have the ability to compete with, and beat the world's best athletes. While I'm certain they dreamt of such domination in the lead-up to the games, I am sure very few thought it could be done.

Between the Royal Wedding, the Queen's Jubilee, the Tour de France win, and the Olympics, it has been one high profile year for the British. Perhaps it was just what the doctor ordered to help and provide a much needed distraction and maybe a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel during a struggling economy.

There is no doubt in my mind that the games have been an incredible success story, but like all good things, they must come to an end. I'll leave you with a few moments from these games that I know we'll all remember.

Some of them pulled at my heart strings, some made me laugh, and others made me cry, but such is sport.

Canada's Women's soccer team celebrates a bronze medal (Canada's first medal in a traditional team sport since 1936)

Olympic and World Champion, Mo Farah (a British Somali) winning Gold in both the 10,000, and the 5,000 m

An Olympic official warns the Korean and Chinese Badminton teams to play their best, with both teams determined to lose. All in all, four teams (eight athletes) were disqualified and sent home.