Three days to go, and after talking about the Olympics for so long it’s quite hard to believe they are truly upon us. Dashing 2012 tracksuits can be spotted on every London street, there are pink signs everywhere and it looks like London is ready to take on the world. Or vice versa.

Unfortunately, none of us qualified for any Olympic sports this time round. Not surprising, considering we tend to take the lift to the second floor when no one’s watching. So instead, we held our own mini version of the world’s greatest sporting event last weekend.

On your marks!

Anyone milling around London Bridge on Sunday afternoon may have been slightly curious about the legions of people emerging from the station, dressed to the nines in attire to represent dozens of different nations. We convened in a disused school, where our playing fields/battle grounds/boxing rings awaited, and quickly found our team mates to discuss tactics and listen to impassioned pep talks.

The Estonian team enter the country, bringing traditional gifts
The German team limbering up
The French team, looking chic

But before things got too competitive, we ate lots of food in the form of a feast-like picnic, full of over-sized cupcakes, delicious marshmallows, sandwiches and Pimms. With some competitors still squabbling over the last of the meringues, the Games began.

What followed were over two hours of gruelling physical exertion and nail-biting competition. The fearsome sumo wrestling ring, followed by tense hoop-throwing and then the even tenser egg-and-spoon race. Just when we thought it was all over, the gladiator challenge and boules.

Squaring up in the gladiator challenge

After a lacklustre performance in the hoop-throwing, the Jamaican team redeemed themselves in other events, whilst the French dominated on the boules pitch and the Estonian team shone under the leadership of their unwavering captain, Sten. The British were on good form in the wrestling ring, and despite what looked like early jitters, China came out with an impressive all-round performance.

Jed demonstrates his wrestling prowess

But after scooping up the medals by the handful, it was a close call between Cyprus and Australia. Settled by a sumo showdown, Australia emerged victorious and took the trophy home, whilst the Kenyan team scooped the ‘best fancy dress’ prize.

The Australian team lift the trophy
The impressive fancy dress winners

And exhausted, we headed to a private cinema for our very own screening of Cool Runnings where we could finally rest our fatigued limbs.

A huge thank you to the lovely Laura and Rosie for such a sporting afternoon