The second promise was to ‘transform the heart of the East End of London’. On first glance this seems to have worked, as what was a few years ago a desolated strip a short distance from the notorious ‘murder mile’ is now a hipster paradise, whilst Shoreditch is one of London’s trendiest areas and is seeing increasing development. However, this shouldn’t be put down exclusively to the games, as the trends which have led to this upsurge were visible long before the bid was won in 2005. More worrying is the lack of engagement of the poorest of the poor, who were identified in a medium term report in 2010 as seeing an ‘indeterminate’ impact in terms of health and welfare, nutrition, community and school sports facilities, affordable housing, and volunteerism. Coe’s most difficult work should and must go into ensuring that the Games deliver for society’s worst off. His capacity to do this will go hand in hand with his deliverance on the third promise; to ‘inspire a generation of young people to take part in local volunteering, cultural, and physical activity’.

Whilst some have criticised the ‘flatpack’ nature of the Olympics, which will see venues such as the basketball arena taken apart, what we will undoubtedly see is more spaces and opportunities for young people to get involved in sport. More importantly the triumphs of Farah, Ennis, Hoy, Wiggins, Daley, Murray and more have already been absorbed into our collective cultural consciousness, and will offer the inspiration for so many in our country to attempt to emulate their new heroes. Last night I received a text from a friend who asked if the handball team we used to play for was still going, as having watched the Olympics he wanted to get back into it; that right there is your Olympic legacy.

The fourth promise was to the ‘Make the Olympic Park a blueprint for sustainable living’; once again, the emissions-friendliness of the Park will take some time to see. But what we can say at this stage is that the organisers are certainly talking a good game, with even the dismantled stadia to be recycled; seats from the Basketball arena will be reused at Silverstone for example. What can be said with certainty though is that promise 5 has already been delivered upon, and then some; to ‘Demonstrate the UK is a creative, inclusive, and welcoming place to live in, visit, and for business’. From the first moments of Danny Boyle’s opening ceremony, to the friendly foam-fingered volunteers, to that clichéd, but tangible, ‘buzz’ around the city, London 2012 has shown the world a city proud of its own identity, but welcoming and tolerant of others, and open to change. London 2012 has done itself, Britain, and the Olympic Games as an institution proud. And whilst much work must be done by Seb Coe to ensure that the Olympic Legacy delivered is a profound and desirable one, this amazing two weeks suggests that his task is most definitely an achievable one.

PHOTO// Jon Cunrow