Dominic Canty

Dominic Canty Column

Canty? Yes he can!

I QUITE frequently pass the Olympic Park, and never fail to get a tingle of excitement through my body.

I see the armies of construction staff piecing together the immense jigsaw, and each time, as I see it slowly taking shape, I can’t help but think ahead to the forthcoming spectacle.

I imagine the river of people streaming into the venues, can almost hear the roaring crowds, and sense the electricity in the air… an electricity resonating with passion, inspiration and pure joy that comes with the greatest sporting event on earth.

You see, for me, the Olympics is about more than athletic competition.

It’s about dreams, and how it can truly act as a catalyst to each of us to pursue what our hearts truly desire.

These games will open doorways to all generations, both current and future, and in ways completely unrelated to sporting competition.

People will strive to better themselves academically, career-wise, in fact in so many ways it is simply impossible to list.

Each of us has a passion inside, a dream we long to achieve, a goal to chase.

Let the Olympics and Paralympics act as the starting pistol to go after what you truly desire.

At time of writing it’s only 857 days to go, and 890 to the Paralympics – not long at all when I think back to July 6, 2005, when we won the bid, and how I punched the air with a gushing sense of national and London pride – and no, I don’t mean the ale.

Let the Games inspire you, too. To dream is wonderful, not to chase those dreams is a crime.

Don’t wait until 2012... get started now.

- Dominic is a 41-year-old, born-and-bred South Londoner who runs his own horticulture business and lives in Sydenham