Dutch magic

Day 16 - August 3

So there were two Aussies, an Irishman who met a Canadian in Brazil and thousands of Dutch people dressed in various orange apparel - what happens next?

It sounds like the start of a joke but throw in a beautiful, sunny afternoon at an incredible century-old exhibition hall overlooking London city from the north ... and the recipe must be success.

This place was simply amazing.

Not only the concept of having a meeting place for Olympic supporters of a nation in a foreign land but it was done so well, plus the space itself was one of the most magnificent I have seen.

Outside was a beer garden and eateries while inside was a mixture of big screens, interactive activities like spring timing and podium photos as well as a historical rundown of Dutch athletes at all past Olympics.

The final surprise was a massive room, think the Boiler Room at Big Day Out (or in the Sydney Showgrounds), and add a higher domed roof and stained-glass windows at either end.

Yet another unexpected surprise of London 2012!

Olympics day 7:

HUNTER WATCH
*Newcastle basketballers Suzy Batkovic scores 15 points and Jenni Screen takes 4 rebounds in the Opals crucial 70-66 win against Russia.

*Lake Macquarie sailors Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen maintain top spot overall in the 49er class despite not finishing top three in as many races today.

*Former Upper Hunter schoolgirls, the Oatley cousins Lyndal and Kristy, helped Australia to ninth overall in the team dressage standings after finishing 37^th and 42^nd respectively on the individual grand prix rankings.

*Maitland's Simon Orchard and the Kookaburras have an unexpected 2-all draw with Argentina.


PLAY OF THE DAY
History was made on the judo mat with Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani of Saudi Arabia one of only two women from the Gulf kingdom competing at London 2012. They are the first to do so and despite being beaten in 82 seconds she was also allowed to wear a modified hijab.


BEST OF THE REST
China's Dong Dong goes "boing boing" to win "gold gold" in the men's trampolining.

Links:

*Twitter - @joshuacallinan

*Read the London Eye each day in the Maitland Mercury during the 2012 Olympic Games

*Tune into 1233 ABC Newcastle each morning from 7.30am during the Games period for a live cross from the London Olympics with breakfast presenter Aaron Kearney

*The Hunter's Road To London - 1233 ABC Newcastle