Coca‑Cola London 2012 mums: Sonia Cox

Hello, my name is Sonia Cox and I live in Cambridge with my husband David and our three children, Charlotte, Harriet and William. I am an ordinary mum living an ordinary life – but I sometimes have extraordinary opportunities, thanks to my daughter Charlotte.

In this very special year, when the London 2012 Games come to Great Britain, my 21-year-old daughter Charlotte, who is a Special Olympic athlete, will be taking part in the Olympic Torch Relay thanks to Coca-Cola, carrying the Olympic Flame as it travels through Haverfordwest on 27th May, 2012.

This got me thinking: what do the Olympic Games mean for ordinary people? Surely it’s about all the elite athletes. For example, how hard they have been training, and what they will achieve? Are we going to be as good as other countries? Is this just an opportunity for our country to showcase our facilities? And, of course, who will have the best kit? Well, actually, it’s about so much more than winning – it’s not even about the taking part. I think it’s about the creation of memories that will be with you for ever.

My earliest memories of the Olympic Games are of the 1972 Olympics, when I would copy gymnast Olga Korbut on my mum’s living room floor. I was so good on the floor routine (not!), and the sofa was my beam (would mum notice if I broke the arm off the sofa?).

Needless to say, I never became a gymnast – but I can remember thinking during those two weeks that anything was possible – and, right now, we could all do with a little bit of hope, and bit more belief in dreams, inspired by the Olympic Games.

Now, nearly 40 years later, I am getting ready to watch my daughter take her place in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. It’s incredible to think that the Olympic dream can touch us all – not only is Charlotte creating her own memories, but she is adding to mine. And I am so excited to see where this journey takes us.