British Airways is the natural airline partner for us, so there was a nice feel to the launch events this morning.
Seb spoke eloquently as ever, reminding everyone that BA was there through the bid, they delivered the bid book to the IOC in Lausanne - in fact, the stewardess who was with the bid book was there this morning. They've been engaged right through the 2012 story so it's good to continue - it's like they're part of the family, and now they're officially part of it.
My first event was at Waterside - the main British Airways HQ, on the outskirts of Heathrow. Willie Walsh, the BA chief executive was there along with Seb and Steve Cram, who compered, as well as a host of athletes. We had a fencing display from international fencers, Wheelchair Basketball and a fantastic rhythmic gymnastics performance.
Then there was a meet and greet with BA staff - everyone was really excited, but at the same time it felt like the right thing for the company to be doing. They were excited anyway with the imminent opening of Terminal 5 and the prospect of welcoming all the athletes there in 2012 was something staff are very much looking forward to.
From Waterside we went to the Compass Centre, where cabin crew check in for flights. It was a low key chat, but great fun - again, they were very enthusiastic. One of the members of staff who was actually working in Singapore when the announcement was made to award London the Games was there, which was very cool.
Of course I've got fond memories of flying with BA to and from sporting events. One member of staff came up to me and told me that he'd been a flight attendant on my way home after the Sydney 2000 Games and had taken my medal to show other passengers on the flight! It was really good to meet him.
