The tickets sold for the Visa International Gymnastics, the first London 2012 test event to take place at the North Greenwich Arena, are testament to the burgeoning excitement surrounding this summer's Olympic Games.

Increasing with each brick laid and every bag of cement used before July 27, the public's gaze continues to focus upon London 2012 as the finishing touches are put on a project over seven years in the making like an artist finalising a career-best masterpiece.

It is estimated some 40,000 people will attend the test event over its eight day course and it's inevitable this will be greater still come July. Among the empty seats – not selling out for an event of this calibre is no failure – there are spectators present to witness a sport packed with those capable of incredible feats of athleticism but bereft of true household names.

Those present emit a warm appreciation for the competitors, displaying an admiration developed over years spent watching local gymnastics sessions in tired, worn-out facilities on a Sunday morning or driving to and from a club competition as demanded by their unwavering commitment.

For those, the occasion brings great gratification. It's a date that has long been marked on the calendar, kept free at all reasonable expense, and that's there to be savoured on a stage they feel is long overdue.

It therefore comes as no great surprise, even to one so unaccustomed with gymnastics, to witness a respectful etiquette throughout the test. Judges first enter the arena and are given their own reception before the gymnasts then experience theirs. A brief warm-up is then allowed before the competitive action begins.

In the background plays a relaxed yet upbeat soundtrack that's entirely incidental. Shouts of encouragement from fellow gymnasts can drown out the music while silence from the audience is punctuated only by brief applause upon the completion of a successful move. Such silence can heighten the senses, raise awareness of a delicate tension that will unquestionably be present throughout London 2012.

That, however, would be the case regardless of the location. In admiring the suitability of the O2 to stage gymnastics, it's difficult to avoid the conclusion that the sport is being done a great justice.


Though there exists corporate boxes that feel unfamiliar with the audience and decorum of the sport, there – results aside – appears very little else with which spectators can be truly disappointed. If gymnastics is to be a genuine success, the arena will have to be attended in greater numbers still but one need not ask those present if they approve; that much is clear from the off.

Given participation in an Olympic Games is widely thought to be the highlight of an athlete's career, their positive feedback can provide the greatest of satisfaction. There need not be an overwhelming success or a fairytale ending – merely participating in the Olympics can justify the hours of practice, the years of sacrifice and the desire to persevere after a serious injury and so it felt here, even if it was premature.

"When entering, my vision is very – 'wow'," said the Brazilian Francisco Carlos Barretto Junior who, despite being eliminated from London 2012, appeared to speak for several others sharing his sentiments without necessarily expressing them with such charm.

It therefore then seemed appropriate when, on the Tuesday evening, Britain's men's team qualified a full team for the Olympics for the first time since Barcelona 1992.


Louis Smith, Kristian Thomas, Daniel Purvis, Daniel Keatings (pictured), Ruslan Panteleymonov and Max Whitlock all ensured their participation, making it increasingly likely gymnastics will gain greater focus and create optimism about what could be. In reality, their success serves as a microcosm for the results now seriously hoped for for Team GB on a grander scale, medals are now a serious possibility beyond those considered routine. 

Ultimately, the momentum being created and experienced by Team GB throughout the tests and from now up until the games commence can inspire success in even the most unexpected of events. It's almost alarmingly 'un-british' for everything to be appear to be making such smooth progress, to pass without complaint or hint of debacle, and for that reason the success of the tests should not be overlooked.

In the final build-up to the Olympic Games, London 2012 will always be at the mercy of their harshest critics.

The greatest Games ever? A smooth build-up will more than suffice.   

Declan Warrington is a freelance sports journalist for the Guardian and the Observer, insidethegames, ESPN and Boxing Monthly. Follow him on Twitter