Layla Anna-Lee2013-05-21T13:47:35-04:00Layla Anna-Leehttp://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/index.php?author=layla-annaleeCopyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc.HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Layla Anna-LeeGood old fashioned elbow grease.'Boxing is Like a Drug' - Speaking to Duke McKenzie MBEtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.19477652012-10-08T08:36:24-04:002012-12-08T05:12:01-05:00Layla Anna-Leehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/layla-annalee/
More than 3 years since his last fight Hatton will fight Ukrainian boxing sensation Vyacheslav Senchenko to prove his worth, not that he needs to. Hatton won 45 out of his total of 47 fights with a staggering 32 of them won by knock-out, but it appears he may want to alleviate the pains he carries from his last battle in the ring, which ended in Hatton losing after a humiliating defeat by Manny Pacquiao in 2009.
Hatton's comeback has his fans elated, but it is more of a shock than a surprise for those in the profession. Three time world boxing champion and boxing pundit Duke McKenzie MBE admits, 'for the general public Hatton's return is great and exciting, but for the professionals it's not so exciting, I can only see pitfalls and it's a future of doom and gloom for the former world champion.'
Hatton retired after some 'soul searching' and claimed he would never box again. Moving into boxing promotion and focusing on making one of his team of fighters as famous as he was, Hatton has never stopped thinking about what he could have done better in the ring with Pacquiao and blames his last fight for his dramatic downward spiral shortly after. Asked why he is coming back Hatton admits he never wanted to retire. He wishes to 'make Manchester proud again' and believes he is in a confident and positive position .
McKenzie has a very different view - 'Hatton needs a psychologist, he needs someone he knows and loves needs to sit him down and have a good talk to him'
McKenzie's strong views are not without reason, Hatton has admitted contemplating suicide in his darkest moments. In September 2012 Hatton was admitted to the priory rehabilitation clinic to tackle depression, drug abuse and alcohol abuse.
'3 years away and [having] given his body some chronic abuse, you can't cheat in boxing, you don't suddenly get better when you are being beat in the ring'
In his comeback conference Ricky expressed that although he used to 'live to box' he now has to 'box to live'.
'Boxing is like a drug' McKenzie explains 'luckily I'm a realist otherwise I'd also he back in the ring. I've accepted I'm past my sell by date' whereas 'Hatton can't leave it alone he's blinded by the light - more money than sense, the motivation is definitely not financial - Hatton is stubborn, its his way or no way, he's not listening to anyone'
The dream of retiring on a high didn't happen for Hatton, although his entire career was spectacular, his last fight has haunted him. 'People talk of redemption, Hatton didn't walk away broke, he walked away with his hard earned money and his health. He should leave it like that'
McKenzie may seem one sided, but his predictions for Hatton's future start well - 'Hatton will beat this guy. It's a safe fight for him and he will probably beat the next, but then I predict he will lose and lose again. I hope he doesn't get hurt'
Getting hurt is the main problem. Upon his last retirement Hatton walked away a successful fighter, wealthy and most importantly with his health, this time round who knows what or who will retire him.]]>Speaking to Jake Humphrey on the Lewis Hamilton movetag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.19282592012-10-01T05:58:46-04:002012-12-01T05:12:01-05:00Layla Anna-Leehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/layla-annalee/
Since the news broke, public and professional opinion has been divided with many questioning Hamilton's loyalty and motives in leaving a British team that has nurtured his talent from the age of 13 as a young karter.
This was no light decision for the 27 year old driver and definitely a gamble. Hamilton has remained professional and grateful throughout the media frenzy but controversy surrounds him none the less. Undoubtedly some of the team members will feel betrayed and all the stories we hear create a controversy Hamilton is well aware of. The former World Champion quoted Martin Luther King on his twitter page as the news broke: 'The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy'.
Hamilton will replace Michael Schumacher in the German team, a move which is almost certain to end Schumacher's career driving for the team. We wait to hear if the Sven time world champion will retire and be offered a managerial role or move on himself.
McLaren team Principal Martin Whitmarsh has branded Hamilton's decision to move to one of their biggest rivals as a "mistake" and many have come down hard on the driver, questioning the motives behind parting ways with his mentors.
However BBC Sport F1 presenter Jake Humphrey supports Hamilton's move, 'Lewis Hamilton's decision is as much about growing up as it is about racing. 15 years in the same team, same faces, same building, same messages. I think he needed to do what all young people must eventually-leave home.'
For some Hamilton's move is a calculated, long term, intelligent signing - his new contract gives him greater control of image rights and Mercedes expect to be strong in 2014 when new engine rules are introduced.
'It should give him fresh motivation.' says Humphrey, who believes this is a smart move 'McLaren last won the constructors title in 1998...Mercedes did it as Brawn GP in 2009. Time will tell but instinct and gut reaction...it's the right move'.]]>Fame Should Be A Reflection Of Successtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.19086572012-09-24T05:34:21-04:002012-11-24T05:12:01-05:00Layla Anna-Leehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/layla-annalee/
"I want to be famous" he said.
My face dropped, I must have looked as shocked and as disappointed as I felt - "I can get any girl here," he unashamedly continued, "Who should I sleep with to get photographed?".
"Basically I wanna be really really famous, What should I do?"
This desperation for fame is flooding football, as if the money they earn isn't enough, so many sport stars crave front page stories. Clearly it's not for the pounds and not necessarily for the women, these guys have more money and women then they can handle.
More and more teenagers want to be footballers, not because they want to feel the emotion of scoring at Wembley or shooting a penalty for their country in the World Cup, many now say they want to be footballers... because they want to be famous.
Fame should be a reflection of success. A recognition of talent, skill and hard work. Recognition on account of notable achievements. Shagging a popular TV personality isn't an achievement.
Footballers have talent. They entertain hundreds of thousands with their skills and keep alive an inspirational industry of sport. Footballers are athletes, they are, in theory, disciplined sports men that train hard.
Many of these men greatly deserve the fame and attention they receive. The goals that get our country a trophy should be celebrated and our footballers admired...to an extent.
Egos are now a problem in football. I'd go as far as to say that fame-hungry egos could ruin the game.
When footballers are known for their behaviour off the pitch and those talking about them cannot tell me what team they play for, there is a problem.
Footballers no longer have the respect they once used to. The humble hard working Olympic athletes put all our footballers to shame. Watching the athletes in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games, and not reading about debauched nights out put things into perspective.
Personally I couldn't care less what players do off the pitch as long as it isn't affecting their game on it, but footballers giving football a bad name is an issue.
Joey Barton's website bursts on my screen with a massive header reading "depending who you listen to I'm a footballer, ex-con, ranting anti-celebrity, 'football's philosopher king', loving dad and violent thug all rolled in to one." He's proud of his media title, and if you ever read his twitter posts you'll clearly see his desire for attention.
Barton was at Man City, a great position in an amazing team. Despite his talent Man City didn't want him any longer mostly due to a fight between him and his team mate Ousmane Dabo which left Dabo facially scarred and Barton charged with aggressive bodily harm. His aggression took him off the pitch and off the team, match bans are common for Barton, now we have lost a talented player to the French premiere league.
Aggression is one thing, hunger for fame is another - most of our footballers now have massive PR teams and focus a great deal of time on headlines. To be honest players often do have a lot of time on their hands training for a few hours a day, It's no wonder when many complain of boredom.
It's more than common for me to hear about a footballer calling press offices to tell us who they are sleeping with, what parties they are going to and where to send paps.
This young player I met in Marbella was a pure reflection of footballs current state and undisciplined future. Our footballers deserve to be admired as talented inspirational athletes and therefore need to act as such. "If you want to be famous," I said, "score a bloody good goal".]]>London 2012 is Over...tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.18700032012-09-11T19:00:00-04:002012-11-11T05:12:01-05:00Layla Anna-Leehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/layla-annalee/
With a countdown of 1426 days to go till Rio 2016, Brazil are pretty damn excited.
Locog's well executed, beautifully demonstrated and perfectly safe games have set a mighty precedent for the third world country to aspire to.
When Brits think of Brazil we often think of Sexy women, Awesome football, Gun crime, and Favelas - in that order. Many foreigners are still rather frightened of Brazil, thanks in part to 'City of God' and in part to Brazil's genuine problems. I was born in the U.K to a British father and Brazilian mother. A woman who had never experienced any form of robbery, assault or even being pick pocketed - until her first day in London, when she was robbed...in Argos.
We fear Brazil because they have real Gangs and Guns, interestingly they fear us because we have Bombs and Terrorists.
Before the Olympics Rio will be hosting football's World Cup in 2014 and have been preparing for a long while. I went over to Rio in December and saw a massive change. Recent efforts to pacify favelas and reclaim the streets have worked, the city has always been well tailored to tourists but the opportunity The World Cup and Olympic and Paralympic games has really helped Brazil clean up. Now there is no place in Rio thats worse that walking down Peckham high street, alone at night.
That's not to say there isn't a long way to go. Brasil is yet to find a balance. As are we. A few people I know avoided the Olympic opening ceremony in fear of a terrorist attack. Those few missed out on an incredible event. Let's not fear the beauty of Brazil and support our TeamGB in Rio as much as we did on home turf.
TeamGB have a new target to set their efforts on.
Our entire nation of athletes look to the sunshine and beaches of Brazil for their next opportunity. We must do this with them. The legacy of our amazing facilities now hangs on nurturing a TeamGB of the future. Creating excitement around sport and holding our medals firmly in our grasp. We conducted an incredible games, Rio have a lot to live up to but one thing the country does better than any other in the world is a massive party - See you in Rio!]]>An Athlete's Life Is a Tough Onetag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.18516222012-09-04T19:00:00-04:002012-11-04T05:12:01-05:00Layla Anna-Leehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/layla-annalee/
The discipline and drive of our athletes cannot be compared, and in these Paralympic Games it's the mindset that our athletes have that has interested me the most. Not only the passion of our winners but more so the frustration of the ones who lost out.
We all put pressure on ourselves and feel the pain of failure, but with the weight of a whole nation on your shoulders, how do you manage letting Great Britain down.
Now we all know that we, as an audience, don't hold a grudge. We are not, as a nation 'let down' but when you are the athlete with the cameras pinned on your every muscle and the nation on the edge of their seats that is exactly how it feels. I have spoken to many an Olympian who speaks of the hurt and sadness of 'letting their country down', such an interesting phrase that carries so much pain and pressure.
I'm intrigued by the athletes we so quickly forget. The ones who spent the last four years sacrificing with one goal in mind... and missed. The athletes decorated with sponsorship deals pegged on their chances of success, that quickly disappear the second the result is announced. The men and women who crashed, injured and failed not only a nation but themselves.
Last week in the velodrome we saw TeamGB cyclist Jody Cundy, who lost his leg when he was three, breakdown in front of the cameras after being disqualified for a bad start straight out of the gate. He thought his wheel was trapped by the gate when it spun out, he immediately raised his hand so the commissaire could see and restart the race - he was denied a restart and Cundy was disqualified. The judges ruled that the gate was fine and the error belonged solely on Cundy's shoulders.
Four years ended in just five yards - understandably he blew.
"They have ruined my life" he shouted amongst a torrent of profanities that could be heard on all corners of the globe that were tuned in. "You can't do this, I've worked all my life for this".
His coach had to drag him from view in an attempt to calm him down and he was still kicking off as he was ushered away.
That's it. His chance gone. No second go, no chance of making it right again an he's out for another four years. That's if he can face doing it all again - for many athletes this was their only chance. Age is a factor, sponsorship another, there's no guarantee that you'll be in the team next time around.
Not only are there the obvious pressures but an athlete's life is a tough one. It's very expensive to be a professional in sport and your sponsors are everything. We don't pay our athletes a huge amount, their livelihoods are firmly tied to the advertisement deals and endorsements they agree to.
Financially life can change drastically with a loss. The shirt on your back can be literally removed and you're having to rethink your career back from square one.
This intense pressure on your mental health must be damaging. TeamGB have a wonderful team of physiologists that work with our athletes, but spare a thought for the ones who didn't win because regardless of the medals all of our Olympic and Paralympic TeamGB men and women are awesome. I hope they can relax in the knowledge they haven't let us down and we are so proud of our nations athletes.
I hope they don't give up.]]>"Look Up at the Stars and Not Down at Your Feet"tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.18421472012-08-30T05:08:18-04:002012-10-29T05:12:04-04:00Layla Anna-Leehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/layla-annalee/
Ticket sales and athlete entries, that have broken all records from before, clearly tell us that social attitudes have changed and respect for disability and Paralympics is growing, as is our nations enormous appetite for Paralympic sport.
Since its birth as essentially a hospital sports day at Stoke Mandeville in 1948 it has grown. 1960 saw the introduction of the first official Paralympic games in Rome and now we're expecting London 2012 to be the first ever Paralympic games to completely sell out.
The opening ceremony was a spectacular welcome to the athletes that have been sponsored by their nations and sent over to represent their best. Of all the changes and education of the last four years it was the athletes parade that gave us the greatest example of change. 4200 athletes have arrived to compete from 164 nations, more than ever before.
Each nation which included themselves in the games is an example to all others - the nation's entries, even on a wild card, display their nation's recognition of the sport and respect for their disabled, athletes carry their flag with pride.
One thing that becomes more evident in the Paralympic parade than that of the Olympic parade is the welcoming of an entire team. Coaches, managers, doctors and all those behind the athletes walk in also, as some did in the Olympics, but they weren't really seen nor heard - it's important to remember that no athlete gets to the finish line alone.
It's a massive team effort, in the hype of the Olympic game we often forgot the team behind the medals, but in the Paralympics the team members are paramount. They are more celebrated and more visible, showing us just how much work it takes. Perhaps a more grateful games commences.
We all watched the ceremony in awe. Awe of the smiles on the faces of those with a disability that would render most of us disabled.
Now the awe will be explored and undoubtedly magnified as will be our new found recognition of the sports. 11 days lie ahead of inspiration and sport that will, in Professor Stephen Hawking's words "Celebrate excellence, friendship and respect."
Enjoy the Games!]]>Meet The Superhumanstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.18241082012-08-27T19:00:00-04:002012-10-27T05:12:03-04:00Layla Anna-Leehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/layla-annalee/
Forget everything you thought you knew about humans.
Meet the superhumans."
Channel 4 will be broadcasting the Paralympic games and have given it the most incredible build up with a marketing campaign that turns our discriminations upside down and titles nationally considered disability as 'superhuman'.
Team GB Paralympic athletes display their sporting skills alongside a montage of shocking scenes that depict how many are injured. A bomb in a war zone, a pregnant mother looking concerned, a car crash.
Almost every moment in the advert is admirable and can be paused to show image after image of true courage and inspiration. One particular shot that stuck in my mind was that of Jonny Coggan, a member of our Team GB wheelchair rugby team. Jonny took up the sport after breaking his neck in a car crash 11 years ago. In front of a plain black background Jonny sits on his chair to the side of a crushed car. A clip that depicts the moment that changed his life forever. In a bold statement of courage Jonny sits strong in his chair, unmoved and accepting of his story laid beside him. His expression tells us he is ready for his challenge.
The strength it must have taken to agree to pose for such an intense moment in the clip is comparable to nothing more than his desire to survive and win.
These athletes have already overcome many hurdles, already battled and most have already filled their families with pride. What they are about to achieve now is nothing short of awesome. I'm not talking about competing with the worlds greatest teams or winning medals - I'm talking about the change they alone are making to our attitudes.
The Paralympic games are the second largest sporting event in the world today - second only to the Olympics.
We Brits have a special sense of pride with these games too - unlike the Greek history linked with the Olympics the Paralympic birth place was Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire. In 1948 Dr Ludwig Guttman of Stoke Mandeville hospital, hosted a sports competition for the British WW2 veteran patients with spinal cord injuries. It slowly grew and London 2012 has been the first games where the Paralympics were integrated alongside the Olympics from the outset. Setting a precedent for all other games to follow.
The athletes alone are changing our sense of respect for the disabled, we are no longer looking at them as disabled. In fact many believe the Olympic athletes are not even comparable to the athletes of our Paralympic team. We are looking at the Paralympics as a harder task. A bigger battle. A fight to win respect, unification and Gold.
The Olympics truly were just a warm up.]]>Bidding Farewell to the London 2012 Olympic Gamestag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.17717342012-08-14T19:00:00-04:002012-10-14T05:12:02-04:00Layla Anna-Leehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/layla-annalee/
London's biggest party was thrown in the Olympic stadium Stratford to celebrate all the athletes that have worked to hard to compete in such a glorious fashion.
Amongst bones and hearts, world records have been broken. We have seen the tears and the triumphs of true hard work through the years.
The games have been an incredible inspiration to a country still struggling with recession and an addiction to materialism, laziness and dependency. These games have showcased the talent we have in our hard grafters. Our dedication and strength has been displayed in a competition which sees a small island come third out of two hundred and four!
We began with the Isles of wonder being torn through the Pandemonium of the industrial era. We saw our countries Queen demonstrate her sense of humour in a hilarious James Bond skit that saw possibly the coolest Royal entrance ever leading to Her Majesty officially opening the games.
A shy teenage Shaherkani arrived at the games as Saudi Arabia's first female competitor making the London 2012 games the first Olympics in which every country is represented by both sexes, an poignant beginning to a games that would see a serious amount of girl power.
Our Cyclists proved how comfortable we are, as a nation, on two wheels - Chris Hoy has over taken his idol Steve Redgrave to become Great Britain's most decorated Olympian having now won his sixth Gold medal at the games.
Even the Tour de France couldn't tire Bradley Wiggins as he took gold just weeks after having conquered France.
Victoria Pendleton broke down as she admitted the strains of being an Olympic athlete had taken its tool on her mind, body and spirit. After being disqualified from the team sprint we saw Victoria win Silver in the solo Sprint and Gold in the Keirin only to cry with 'relief' at being able to announce her retirement.
Nicola Adams has made Olympic history as the first female boxer to fight in an Olympic games. Nicola then added to our country's pride by winning Gold.
Great Britain's rowing team achieved a staggering haul of nine medals, and suddenly Regent's Park boating lake has a never ending queue.
Phelps was tested by the diamond encrusted grinning Lochte but still affirmed his title as the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time having stored, apparently in his mothers home, a staggering twenty two Olympic medals.
We cheered as our royal Zara Phillips followed in her families footsteps, took on the Equestrian challenge and won.
We threw our strawberries and cream aside to finally see Andy Murray beat Federer and victoriously place an Olympic gold medal around his neck.
A hug between two exhausted brothers made us Ahhhh at our screens as Alistair Brownlee whispered "We did it" to his younger sibling as they both crossed the line triumphant in the Triathlon.
The Heptathlon gave Jessica Ennis the taxing path to a Gold in front of eighty thousand in the beautifully built Stratford Stadium.
Unknown athlete Ed McKeever powered his Kayak to gold at Eaton Dorney surprising many and impressing more.
Mo Farah has become a double Gold medal Olympian after speeding past the worlds fastest opponents, twice.
Possibly the Olympics most famous face, and arms, and legs, Usain Bolt didn't disappoint. We all regretted ever doubting the worlds fastest man as he proved his three gold medals in Beijing were no fluke and matched that tally again on British soil.
We have giggled at Mayor of London Boris Johnson being stuck on a zip wire (which I adamantly believe to be a genius PR stunt) and then we saw Victoria, Mel C, Mel B, Emma and Geri reunite as The Spice Girls to close the games and allow the athletes to have the most incredible party.
The London 2012 Olympic games have been a huge success, something Great Britian can remain forever proud of, and for those of you who are panicking about what on earth to do with our time now that the Olympics are over? Don't panic, the Paralympics are coming!]]>Britain: A Great Nation of Cyclists?tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.17633852012-08-12T19:00:00-04:002012-10-12T05:12:31-04:00Layla Anna-Leehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/layla-annalee/
Team GB have a staggering 12 medals in the Olympic cycling disciplines - seven of which are gold in the track cycling and matches our Beijing trophy haul. In 2008 Chris Hoy said he never thought Great Britain would manage so many medals in one event again and was gushing with pride not only for his wonderful successes but for a country that's falling head over heals in love with cycling.
A conservative estimate of the crowd that lined the streets with flags and face paint in support of the Olympic road cyclists was in the region of 500,000.
With the Bradley Wiggins affect we are truly proving ourselves to be the greatest nation of cyclists. But will it continue? Will the grass roots of talent and cycling enthusiasts be nurtured and will city cycling continue to be promoted?
With the 'Get ahead of the games' transport marketing, we have seen an awesome promotion of varying ways of getting to work, and thanks to the bright blue 'Boris Bikes', London has been easily crossed on two wheels.
But I'm fearful that once the Olympics are over we may just pop the helmet back in the bottom of the under stairs cupboard.
Budgets tend to be the biggest issue for cycling clubs and cycling events across the country. I have hosted many cycling events over the last three years and have seen a definite steady growth in popularity and success, but the growth is small and still a struggle for many.
The support for our athletes falls firmly on the shoulders of sponsors. Sponsors who are not always impressed with an Otley based criterium race. In cycling, local small business advertisements along the side of the road are what make the race truly happen. Local cycling shops sponsor their inspired riders and the community really come together. It brings a strong spirit to every race and a massive sense of pride to those who worked so hard to bring the races to their home town.
Perhaps that is all we need.
Leaving the games behind and making a difference ourselves will make a much stronger impact that constantly looking at large sports brands and government funding. Join your local cycling club, go to the British Cycling website and find out when and where your nearest race is and simply turn up!
Our power in numbers encourages the local and larger businesses to donate and grow the sport.
More importantly - buy a bike. Cycle into work and save yourself the rising cost of public transport.]]>Our Athletes are the Perfect Inspirationtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.17383172012-08-05T19:00:00-04:002012-10-05T05:12:04-04:00Layla Anna-Leehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/layla-annalee/
Team GB Beach Volleyball players call Cook an inspiration and the other countries athletes are often starstruck to meet her.
In her retirement announcement she called London's Horse Guards Parade the greatest Olympic Beach Volleyball stadium of all time and sung the praises of London 2012 Olympic games.
For a country with shingle beaches, rain and not a massive Beach volleyball following this is really quite something. We have put together a phenomenal games and the media are finally on side.
Our medal tally, at the time of writing this blog, stands at 19 medals, six of which are gold, catapulting us from 23rd place to a fine fifth in the medal league behind China, USA, Korea and France.
Our team are doing better than expected and I'm super impressed.
Chris Hoy had the thousands gathered around the big screen in Hyde Park literally dancing and screaming at his record breaking win - and us Brits aren't always the best at letting go!
He has been on the front page of almost every paper, deservedly so and everyone on the tube this morning was taking about it.
Reports of the games and our athletes have been largely positive and the newspapers and magazines are filled with stories and photos of the amazing sports - A stark difference from our usual 'celebrity' filled media and quite a relief not to know what our favourite reality TV stars are up to.
We are no longer looking to Big Brother for content to fill the media world's vastly desperate pages and instead are flooded with aspiring stories and results from the world of sport.
For the first time in years our magazines and newspapers are featuring athletic bodies and healthy shapes that we should aspire to. For so long we have moaned about the pressure on young girls, boys, men and women to look like the photoshopped and possibly dehydrated magazine beauties that influence our diets. We have looked at how to 'loose weight fast' or get slim for your holiday 'bikini body' with mentions of an 'eight minute workout' or 'walk to work' but never a real promotion of sport like this. I over heard a couple talking about how they had taken up badminton to stay fit and their friends joining a local cycling team. Quite a change from the chats about the most recent detox diet or how laxatives can help you loose weight!
Zumba is out and sports are in - lets just hope it stays that way. Sadly the odds are stacked against us, we spend the majority of the year fully clothed in triple layers that hide a thousand sins, I know if I lived on Copacabana beach I probably wouldn't have eaten that chocolate bar.
In London it's even harder, were in a city where we can walk to a tube station and sit on our way to a job that is spent sat down before journeying back home on our bottoms. In our spare time we socialise sat in a circle at the pub or if were feeling inspired - drive to the gym.
It's our habits that are the hardest to break and the habits of our media need a serious shaking. This could be a really positive change, despite the Olympics being sponsors by fast food giant McDonalds.
The bodies on Team GB display dedication, determination, strength and health.
Let's hope once the Olympics are over our media don't fall back into flooding us with fashion's thinnest.
Our athletes are the perfect inspiration.]]>How I Got My Job As A London 2012 Presentertag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.17182242012-07-30T19:00:00-04:002012-09-29T05:12:39-04:00Layla Anna-Leehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/layla-annalee/
My Olympic Ceremonies journey began when, due to my experience in sports presenting, I was asked to host the London Prepares series of test events for the Olympics last summer. I hosted the Beach Volleyball and the Open Water Swimming event at Hyde Park and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Needless to say many presenters 'auditioned' during the London prepares events and I was not expecting a phone call back.
Already chuffed to pieces to have even been involved with the test events I was thrilled to receive a call offering not one but four official Olympic events to host.
I was to present the Beach Volleyball at Horse Guards Parade, the Mountain Biking at Hadliegh Park, the Road Race through London and the Cycling Time Trail in Hampton Court.
I started my research, told my family and close friends and signed all my contracts and accreditation. Then things changed.
My agent got a call from Danny Boyle's team saying they wanted to meet me. They didn't tell us what it was for or why but we guessed it was something to do with his ceremony.
The meeting was swift - Danny wasn't there but they made it pretty clear to my agent that they wanted me to voice the opening ceremony and needed to book me for over a month of rehearsals.
I had to walk away from four other Olympic Events that I was due to host.
It broke my heart to see an email from my agent Paul asking LOCOG kindly if I could stand down from hosting the Mountain Biking, the Road Cycling Race through London and the Cycling Time Trial. We also had to ask Cyclevox; the production company behind the SKY Sports cycling shows that I do each year, if I could stand down from the already contracted dates because the ceremonies rehearsals took over my diary.
All of this and I was still not guaranteed the job!
It felt like the biggest gamble ever and I was praying I wouldn't be left with nothing.
Thankfully our relationship with the companies was close and everyone was particularly understanding. No one wanted to deprive me of the chance of a lifetime and I am hugely grateful to Anthony at Cyclevox and Howie LOCOG for being honest and kind and allowing me to make such major changes to their schedules.
Amongst all this I flew to France for an intensive reminder language course. Although my French is fluent, it had been unpractised for many years and I needed to be perfect. Upon my return I was pulled into the studio for a flash French test - I passed - but by the skin of my teeth and we were mostly concerned about any last minute emergency translations. At the end of the day my French was not good enough to give improvised emergency evacuation procedures and we had to find a French co-host... fast.
We knew we needed someone whose mother tongue was French to compliment my voice and we needed to do this before Danny found another bi-lingual host altogether.
Everyone in the Red24 team (my agency) got together and they hastily found Marc Edwards, a French news presenter - but he was already signed to another agency which could have caused issues.
Good relationships and a wonderful opportunity saw everyone work together. Both Marc and I met with Danny for a final casting and finally he was a happy man - We got the gig!
I really felt the spirit of Londoners working together to make the best possible Olympic games for our country. It's all a team effort. I'm touched, proud and very lucky it all worked out.]]>London 2012 Opening Ceremony - An Insider's Viewtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.17139422012-07-28T19:00:00-04:002012-09-27T05:12:05-04:00Layla Anna-Leehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/layla-annalee/
Besides the obvious pride to be involved with such a wonderful event I have massive relief that we didn't mess anything up. After the Korean flag blunder marred the start to women's football the IOC were on my back to make sure every single country of the 204 was pronounced perfectly during the athlete's parade. I was terrified of offending an entire nation by a simple slip of the tongue. The production team in its entirety were relieved, with such a large scale show and so many people involved it's a miracle it went so smoothly. We were all particularly tense about Voldemort - he has only worked correctly once during rehearsals, everything that could go wrong with him has, so as he went up during the Pandemonium piece we all held our breath.
Danny Boyle should have woken up on cloud nine yesterday morning. Not only did he create a ceremony that represented our country beautifully, but he did it all calmly, politely and with the most incredible humility. Danny would come to the announcer's booth every day, sometimes just to say hello. He was on call to give his advice and every day he spent time with volunteers and crew making sure everyone felt assured and understood his imagery. In the last few days leading up to the Opening Ceremony I expected a stressed and abrupt man, but Danny was always calm, granted I think he has lost some weight during this time, but he seemed just fine and after the show he turned down TV interviews to go to the cast and volunteer rooms to spend time signing autographs and taking pictures.
The whole country came together to support the games and I was particularly impressed that the Queen agreed to join in the display of British humour and make such an awesome grand entrance video. Her team were also very impressive throughout, she and her family were in the room next door to my announcers' booth and just before she arrived there was a real sweep of the area. Anyone who didn't absolutely have to be there was swiftly and politely ushered out, sniffer dogs swiped our room looking for explosives in exchange for a tennis ball and police searched every inch of the adjoining rooms. All were calm, polite and super well mannered. Hearing the words "The queen will pass this room in five minutes, I'm going to have to block your door and not let you out for a short period, if you need the loo could you go now please?" was rather surreal. Almost as surreal as hearing "The Queen left half a bottle of gin, anyone want some?"