Britain Is Feeling Good About Itself for the First Time in Years

Come On ParalympicsGB! The Olympics was a sensational warm up event. The stage is set and we are ready.

Britain is feeling good about itself for the first time in years.

The organisation of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the phenomenal performance by Team GB and the welcome that London gave to the world has been a triumph.

Our image around the globe has never been better and we should be immensely proud.

Logistically, artistically, athletically, and emotionally... well, the Games had everything.

By Super Saturday the nation was drunk with gold, silver and bronze success and, in the days that followed, we shared moments of triumph and celebration.

My personal magic moment? It's hard to pick just one.

I wept and jumped for joy as Mo won that second gold medal.

As the Brownlee brothers were cheered onto the stage by a crowd of fifty thousand people at BT London Live in Hyde Park a day after their medal success, I saw a nation captured by the achievements of two ordinary Yorkshire boys who have achieved extraordinary things.

It has been a Games of triumphant human spirit - from the athletes, to the volunteers to the supporters.

Then, after 17 short days, it was over ... the Olympic rings came down from Tower Bridge, the medal table was completed (third... THIRD??!!) and the Spice Girls went home in their taxis.

Except it isn't over yet - and we don't want it to stop.

The nation is high on success and we are screaming for more.

So here come the Paralympics.

Two million tickets sold versus 400,000 in Athens. 56% of the country looking forward to watching closely. And an amazing bunch of inspiring elite athletes who will make the next two weeks possibly even more special than the last.

So Come On ParalympicsGB! The Olympics was a sensational warm up event. The stage is set and we are ready.

We are in the middle of the very best of times. So let's enjoy it.

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