BRAZIL (Brazil v South Korea – men's football semi-final)
Tuesday and it's off to the Made in Brasil bar and restaurant in Camden Town. By the 7.45pm kick-off time, the bar was packed with Brazilian fans, with waiting staff lifting the mood by donning the Brazil football team's yellow and blue jerseys.
At the entrance, Cristiano Rois, a DJ, sat sipping a milkshake while arranging music on his MacBook ready to play to the crowd later. Rois, from Rio de Janeiro, has a nine-month visa but wants to relocate to London permanently. "I love London. This is the street corner of the world," he said. "I have friends here from all races. I feel at home."
A plate of Brazilian tapas was placed in front of Eramir Neto, from São Paulo, who had come to enjoy watching Brazil stroll into the finals. Over the next two hours, Brazil scored three times against a hapless South Korea. Neto said that when he told friends he was coming to London to study, most warned him that people here were unfriendly. However, he not only fitted in, he has also brought over his wife to study theatre while he studies music.
"I love London and we'd love to settle here. People are friendly and cultures are diverse – my neighbour is from Venezuela," said Neto.
On the next table, 26-year-old Mirella Rodrigues sat with her Italian boyfriend. She was pleased with how the London Games have been organised and hoped Rio 2016 would be as successful. Her only complaint was that she could not afford a ticket to watch the games in the stadiums. "Apart from Heathrow airport, the rest of London is very welcoming," she said, sipping on a caipirinha, one of Brazil's most popular cocktails.
AUSTRALIA (New Zealand v Holland – women's hockey semi-final)
On Wednesday evening, a group gathered at the Walkabout bar at Shepherd's Bush Market. New Zealand were up against the Netherlands in the women's hockey semi-finals. This being an Australian pub, I had expected that most people would be rooting for Holland, who were on the back foot for the better part of the match. The reverse was true.
Kylie Corso, an Aussie who has lived in south-west London for seven years, was crestfallen when Holland won. "I am rooting for New Zealand. Back home there are strong feelings but here we are a family," said Corso, a bottle of chilled Tui in hand.
Marty Frazer, an Australian who is in London on a working holiday, said he was fascinated by the support Team GB had received.
Lucy Bradlow, an Aussie who has been working in the UK for two years, was impressed by how London had dealt with all the people and logistics. A resident of Brixton – a centrepoint of multiculturalism in London – Bradlow said it was the many cultures, races and religions in London that made it such a fabulous city.
Ben Reuhman, a New Zealander who has been London for a month, was struck by how multicultural and diverse the city was. "There seem to be people from all aspects of life and different areas of the globe," said Reuhman. His compatriot Tim Lynch, now a British citizen who has spent three years in London, argued that the Games has been an amazing spectacle, showcasing London at its very best.
"London's position as a multicultural city is one of the key reasons I want to stay here. In no other city in the world do you get the range of cultures, experiences and people that you get in London," he said.
KENYA (men's 800m finals/women's 800m round 1)
Thursday evening was the highlight of Kenya's hunt for medals at London 2012. At O'Neil's near King's Cross, friends Jim Maina and Alex Chirchir witnessed David Rudisha illuminate the Olympic stadium with a record-breaking performance in the men's 800m finals.
Kenya had a bumpy start and for these Kenyan students, this has brought some embarrassment. "On Tuesday night, during the men's 1500m finals, I recall bragging to people at a bar how one of the Kenyan competitors was the man to beat. I also said the two other Kenyans would scoop positions two and three. It happened that they finished in the same order but from behind," said Chirchir. "Today was redemption time," added Maina, sighing.
On Wednesday, Jack Waiyaki was at the Kenya House in Stratford to witness three Kenyan athletes fight their way into the women's 800m semi-finals. They did so with ease. Waiyaki, the chairman of the Kenyan community in Bedford, who has been in UK for 20 years, was delighted. He said the Games had not only showcased London as a multicultural city but had helped enhance cohesion among communities.
"I have lived with my family here and this place is terrific," declared Waiyaki.
Lorna Nyambura, also a Londoner for two decades, echoed Waiyaki's sentiments: "I was sceptical when I first came here but with time I realised how appreciative Londoners are. We also easily get Kenyan food and drinks here," said Nyambura, holding a Tusker, a popular Kenyan lager.
FRANCE (France v China – men's team foil fencing)
After watching her country's men's fencing team fall to every opponent, Caroline Boin, a French national, took consolation in the fact that London had delivered on its promise.
Boin, who has been in London for a decade, considers herself French and a Londoner. During this time she has lived among African and Caribbean communities in south London, in the east of the capital with Asian communities and now in the north-west next to the largest Jewish community centre in the city.
Her strong attachment to the capital was evident when she alluded to the anxiety in the runup to the games: "Would our opening ceremony match up to Beijing's? London has put all these worries to rest – the games are a great success."
She said London had benefited immensely from the enthusiasm and hard work of generations of immigrants. "In return, the city offers great economic and social opportunities. People quickly become proud Londoners," said Boin.
Three years ago, Caroline's French boyfriend Arnaud Margerit landed a job in London for the foods and drinks company, Kraft.
Today, he proudly calls London home: "There is something for everyone in London: big events, bars, restaurants, art, work. I have always felt welcome here." To him, London is the most multicultural city in world.
"It manages to keep that true British spirit while giving space for other communities to succeed and thrive. The ambiance changes from where you are in London, depending on the communities that live there. I like to say that London is a city with many hearts."
Margerit has been impressed with the national fervour around Team GB and the atmosphere in London. "I have been to the men's team foil fencing. The organisation of the event was very good, nearly all the seats were filled, and the performance of the athletes was impressing."
SOMALIA (men's 10,000m final)
Mo Farah has been the epitome of British multiculturalism at London 2012. For a boy who arrived from Somalia aged eight able only to say "excuse me", "c'mon then" and "where is the toilet?", Farah has won the hearts of many Britons not just with his performance but also his kindness. Farah scoffed at suggestions that he could have been prouder representing Somalia, saying: "This is my country and when I put on my Great Britain vest I'm proud. I'm very proud."
But Eid Hassan Muse, co-ordinator of the West London Somaliland Community, could be forgiven for wishing Farah represented Somaliland. "I am proud of his performance and that he represented Team GB but I would have been prouder if he won the gold for Somaliland," said Muse, a Londoner since 2004.
Liban Ibrahim, who like Farah found a new life in Britain after Somalia disintegrated, differed: "Mo is the product of the British running system. He sought refuge in this country that provided a way of life and shelter for him. He is immensely proud of this country and his achievements. We are also proud of him as fellow Brits. Identity is multifaceted; by running for Britain he is de facto representing the British Somali community also."
Ibrahim has been in Britain for 20 years and is now the lead sports presenter at Nomad Radio based in Acton, west London. He spent part of Friday making a radio documentary on Farah's success. Ibrahim finds London welcoming and sympathetic to the aspirations of immigrant communities. "It's one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, and by that benchmark I would say, yes, it's incredibly welcoming," said Ibrahim. He also gave the thumbs-up to Locog, adding that London's legacy is secured and future generations have been inspired.
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