During this week’s financial trade delegation to Boston and New York, I took the opportunity to ask Boris Johnson recite the Olympic Ode he commissioned for London Olympics 2012.
English would have been too easy — here is the first verse in Ancient Greek.
Thank you Boris.
In case you’re not totally fluent in Ancient Greek, this is the English version of the full Ode.
The new Olympic flame behold,
that once burned bright in Greece of old;
with happy hearts receive once more
these Games revived on London’s shore.Praise rival teams, in sport allied,
as athletes stream from far and wide;
the poet too must take the road
conveying praise to victory owed.Millions of watchers will embrace
the passion of each close-run race,
The efforts of the rowing teams
and gymnasts on balancing beams.The will observe with rapt delight
the archer draw his bowstring tight,
the skilful rider guide her horse,
and lightning bolt around the course.The pipes will play, the drum resound,
as medallists are daily crowned;
the crowd’s hurrah will reach the skies
when victors hoist the golden prize.Now welcome to this seagirt land,
with London’s Mayor and co. at hand
good luck to all who strive to win:
applaud and let the Games begin!
As reported in Telegraph on 23 July 2012.