Dr. Samuel Johnson once asserted, “Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”

He had an obvious bias, having been born and brought up in England, and therefore was instilled with the intense sense of patriotism found in most proud Englishmen. His ardor towards London could be mirrored by any satisfied citizen about the nation of their choice. Countries debate endlessly about which dominion reigns incomparable.

Here is Great Britain’s argument!

As the only city to host the Olympics three times, London has excellent legs to stand on. Its rich history is one of the several contributing factors to its repeated hosting—the city allowed to have the Olympic games in its home court has to at least match its antiquity. Indeed, London’s beginnings date back to 43 A.D., during the Roman invasion of Britain. As Great Britain began to flourish, they pinpointed the center of its success, and christened it “Londinium.”

The Roman Empire collapsed 500 years later, leaving Londinium in charge of its own fate at last. It started a little shakily, hitting rock bottom after being sacked by the Danes, and slowly began to come up again after the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Old London

London finally came into its own under Edward III in the fourteenth century when it was made capital of Britain and was recognized as one of the greatest cities in Europe. Its population began to grow exponentially-- that and the Industrial Revolution invariably affecting the balance between the rich and the poor. The lush greenery once encompassing London was replaced with concrete roads and smoking factory chimneys.

A Glorious Past

Every country has its golden periods and its dark ones—Great Britain is no exception. However the English have accomplished more during their golden periods than most other countries. The English language is the most widely used tongue in the world; all credit goes to England for this accomplishment. This nation has ruled over 200 countries in its lifetime, implementing English customs and ideals in each one.

And what better place to impersonate than the most enlightened and erudite nation on the planet? A country home to Chaucer, Spenser, Blake and Shakespeare. A country that Swift, Pope, Johnson, and Dickens all traveled to in order to make names for themselves. A country that still dotes upon its royal family. A country home to the accent most wish they had. A country tailor-made to host the Olympic games, which it has – three times.

Here we are, 1969 years after its beginnings, celebrating London’s history and culture by hosting the Olympic games in its backyard. No other city deserves it more.