Nicholas Craig column

Jul 15 2005 By Nicholas Craig, The Journal

In 24 short hours last week, the entire country went from euphoric elation to abject horror. We were still celebrating the Olympics bid win when the bombers struck. Yet the two events both demonstrate the extraordinary determination of the British to succeed despite the odds.

London's successful bid to host the Olympics gave us all a reason to feel like world-class winners on Wednesday. From underdog to top dog, our determined climb illustrated Britishness at its best, its bulldog spirit fuelling our fight to win despite the odds.

Then on Thursday came the worst assault on British soil since the Second World War. When the Queen spoke at the Second World War commemoration on Sunday, she crystallised the fierce passion felt by veterans for their country, and the continuing resonance its sacrifices have for her, and for British people of all ages and religions.

England is a liberal, diverse society, which values freedom and religious tolerance. As a result it is vulnerable to attack from fanatical terrorists - some home-grown - who can live undetected in our cities. The spark that helped London win the right to host the Olympics, however, hallmarked the response of people to Thursday's bombings. Passers-by supported and strengthened those who had been injured.

In the continuing reverberations of Thursday, the Olympics have been set aside. We should nevertheless be proud of our extraordinary success, and in time, celebrate it in style.

It's an historic win. London becomes the first three-time Olympic host city. The first purpose-built Olympic stadium was created at White City for the 1908 Olympics in which Britain topped the medals table with 56 golds. In 1948, humble school buildings were used to house athletes. It's heartening to look forward to the biggest sporting event in the world coming back to London 64 years later. Not so long ago it seemed an unlikely dream. London launched its campaign against the backdrop of a failed football World Cup bid and trouble with the new Wembley. On Wednesday we won, against the best in the world, an event bigger and better than any other in the sporting calendar. On Thursday our capital city was shattered by the cruel loss of innocent lives. Now we have to pick ourselves up and carry on because as was said: `Our values will outlast theirs.'