Usain Bolt’s triple gold performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics has been voted the top Olympic moment of all time, according to a recent survey.
Bolt not only secured first place in the men’s 100m sprint, 200m race and 4x100m relay but also shattered world records in each of these events, leaving spectators worldwide in awe of his talent.
The poll surveyed 2,000 UK adults to compile the top 20 unforgettable moments from the international sporting event that occurs every four years. Mo Farah’s two gold medal wins on home ground in 2012 were amongst the highlights.
Included in the list was Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards’ debut as the initial Team GB ski-jumper in 1988; Tom Daley clinching a gold medal in diving in 2020; and Michael Phelps scooping up eight golds in 2008 Athens games.
According to the survey, 64% of respondents intend to watch the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on television, with athletics (55%), swimming (38%) and football (31%) being the preferred events.
Catherine O’Kelly, Managing Director at British Gas Energy – a proud supporter of Team GB and ParalympicsGB who commissioned the study, expressed her excitement for the upcoming summer sports season, particularly the Paris 2024 games.
She commented: “The Games always bring great moments to be remembered, and people remember where they were to witness them.”
She also emphasised how beneficial the Games are in uniting people and offering an all-encompassing viewing experience: “They are also a great opportunity to get people together and watch something where there’s lots going on and something for everyone to enjoy. This summer is a really exciting moment for sport and Paris 2024 is set to be a huge part of that.”
The research revealed that 37% of those who tune into the iconic sporting event do so to root for Team GB, while 36% relish the variety of events on offer.
Over a third (34%) enjoy witnessing all the countries compete, and an additional 34% appreciate viewing sports that typically don’t receive much TV coverage. Even those who don’t consider themselves ‘sporty’ will be tuning in, as 29% still watch the Olympic Games when it’s aired.
Specifically for TV viewers, a huge 83% will be soaking up the action from the comfort of their own homes, while others plan to gather at a friend or family member’s house or at the local pub (both 17%). Interestingly, one in five Olympic Games enthusiasts will only power up their TVs when Team GB are in action.
In light of this year’s ‘summer of sport’, 33% predict they’ll be glued to the TV more than usual during the balmy months, averaging at twelve and a half hours each week – equivalent to watching eight football matches back-to-back, with an extra time session thrown in for good measure.
Despite usually seeing a decrease in their energy use over the summer, 32% will be more conscious of their energy consumption due to the amount they’ll use tuning into Paris 2024.
British Gas Energy, is rolling out its PeakSave initative, offering half price electricity to customers on Sundays throughout the summer, including extended hours and two Saturdays aligned with major sporting events.
O’Kelly explained, “There is a lot of sport to be watched this summer and we’re excited to be part of that through our partnership with Team GB and ParalympicsGB. We hope people enjoy their weekends of sport, and that our electricity offer adds to that excitement for those customers involved.”
