It is reported that Beijing is not planning to construct any new hotels for the 2008 Olympics, despite the fact that 250K foreign visitors are expected to attend the games.
However, as there are nearly 490,000 beds throughout the city no one in China is losing any sleep over the issue.
That of course includes very basic accommodation (1 star and below).
Those of you with a taste for luxury, may well care to start to make your accommodation arrangements now.
Monday, 31 October 2005
Wednesday, 26 October 2005
Change in Gun Law Mooted
The British government has started to talk about relaxing gun laws, in order to help the shooters prepare for the 2012 Olympics in London.
Sports Minister Richard Caborn is to meet Patrick Johnson, secretary of the British Shooting Sports Council, later this week.
Special permission has been given for shooting to be staged in 2012, but Britain's top competitors are currently forced to do most of their training in Switzerland.
The anti shooting legislation, banning most types of handguns, was introduced after the Dunblane massacre in 1996 when Thomas Hamilton killed 16 schoolchildren and a teacher.
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said:
"In the seven years between now and 2012 we will obviously keep this under review. But we would be reluctant to argue that we move from the legislation for which we know there is a lot of public support for good reason."
Sports Minister Richard Caborn is to meet Patrick Johnson, secretary of the British Shooting Sports Council, later this week.
Special permission has been given for shooting to be staged in 2012, but Britain's top competitors are currently forced to do most of their training in Switzerland.
The anti shooting legislation, banning most types of handguns, was introduced after the Dunblane massacre in 1996 when Thomas Hamilton killed 16 schoolchildren and a teacher.
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said:
"In the seven years between now and 2012 we will obviously keep this under review. But we would be reluctant to argue that we move from the legislation for which we know there is a lot of public support for good reason."
Tuesday, 25 October 2005
One Planet Olympics
London, which is hosting the 2012 Olympic Games, is working with environmental groups WWF and BioRegional on the concept of "One Planet Olympics".
The theory being that global consumption, and pollution levels, need to be brought back within the Earth's ability to absorb the demands humans place upon it.
David Stubbs, head of environment for the London 2012 team, hopes that the idea will help people make the link between sport and the environment.
Quote:
"We decided that we needed something that gave us a vision to our proposals. We felt One Planet Olympics encapsulated a lot of the values of the Olympic movement and global environmental concerns".
Paul King, WWF's director of One Planet Living, said:
"If everyone around the world was polluting and consuming natural resources at the same rate we are in the UK, we would need three planets to support us".
Quite how these objectives will be achieved, given the fact that the Olympics is based purely on money, marketing and consumerism is difficult to see.
The theory being that global consumption, and pollution levels, need to be brought back within the Earth's ability to absorb the demands humans place upon it.
David Stubbs, head of environment for the London 2012 team, hopes that the idea will help people make the link between sport and the environment.
Quote:
"We decided that we needed something that gave us a vision to our proposals. We felt One Planet Olympics encapsulated a lot of the values of the Olympic movement and global environmental concerns".
Paul King, WWF's director of One Planet Living, said:
"If everyone around the world was polluting and consuming natural resources at the same rate we are in the UK, we would need three planets to support us".
Quite how these objectives will be achieved, given the fact that the Olympics is based purely on money, marketing and consumerism is difficult to see.
Tuesday, 18 October 2005
Daft Idea
Lord Redesdale, a British Liberal Democrat peer, is calling for London to open the 2012 Olympic Games with a a display of Morris dancing.
This is a form of traditional dance that comprises groups of people jumping around with sticks and handkerchiefs, with bells on their trousers.
He is quoted as saying:
"There are 14,000 Morris dancers in this country and they should be represented in the ceremony.
People come from around the world to see our traditions, so we should show them off whenever we get the chance.
Having all 14,000 Morris dancers in the stadium at the same time would be a great idea
How many people do beach volleyball in the UK? They get Horseguards Parade to show off their skills. I'm not suggesting making Morris a sport, but let's at least give it a role."
A totally daft idea, guaranteed to make the 2012 Olympics a laughing stock.
This is a form of traditional dance that comprises groups of people jumping around with sticks and handkerchiefs, with bells on their trousers.
He is quoted as saying:
"There are 14,000 Morris dancers in this country and they should be represented in the ceremony.
People come from around the world to see our traditions, so we should show them off whenever we get the chance.
Having all 14,000 Morris dancers in the stadium at the same time would be a great idea
How many people do beach volleyball in the UK? They get Horseguards Parade to show off their skills. I'm not suggesting making Morris a sport, but let's at least give it a role."
A totally daft idea, guaranteed to make the 2012 Olympics a laughing stock.
Friday, 14 October 2005
Rogge Backs China
The IOC President, Jacques Rogge, has given his support to China winning the most medals at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Quote:
"The results that you achieved at the Athens Olympics last year have shown Chinese sports is really getting to the top.
I would not be surprised if China leads the medals count in 2008 Olympics in Beijing."
In the 2004 Athens Olympics, China came third in the medals league after the USA and Russia with 32 gold, 17 silver and 14 bronze.
Rogge is on a six day tour of China, and has met with Chinese President Hu Jintao.
President Hu is quoted as saying:
"China will fulfill its promise and spare no efforts for a high-level Olympic Games in 2008."
Quote:
"The results that you achieved at the Athens Olympics last year have shown Chinese sports is really getting to the top.
I would not be surprised if China leads the medals count in 2008 Olympics in Beijing."
In the 2004 Athens Olympics, China came third in the medals league after the USA and Russia with 32 gold, 17 silver and 14 bronze.
Rogge is on a six day tour of China, and has met with Chinese President Hu Jintao.
President Hu is quoted as saying:
"China will fulfill its promise and spare no efforts for a high-level Olympic Games in 2008."
Thursday, 13 October 2005
The Queen Visits Olympics Site
The Queen has visited the site of the London 2012 Olympics Park, she said that the project was "exciting" and "fascinating".
The 500 acre site will house an 80,000-seat stadium, together with other venues.
The Queen was accompanied by London 2012 chairman Lord Coe, who said afterwards:
"I was explaining the project and she said it was exciting. I told her that this is where we took the IOC members who were impressed by what they saw.
She said she could understand that and said it was fascinating. She asked where the stadium was and I pointed out all of the venues."
He added:
"The Queen and Royal Family were strong supporters of London's bid and it was a delight to show Her Majesty how the Olympic Park site has continued to develop since winning the bid."
The Queen was also shown the Channel Tunnel rail link at Stratford, and was told that it would provide a high-speed seven-minute shuttle service between central London and the Olympic Park.
Let us now see if the promises made can be achieved on time, and within budget.
The 500 acre site will house an 80,000-seat stadium, together with other venues.
The Queen was accompanied by London 2012 chairman Lord Coe, who said afterwards:
"I was explaining the project and she said it was exciting. I told her that this is where we took the IOC members who were impressed by what they saw.
She said she could understand that and said it was fascinating. She asked where the stadium was and I pointed out all of the venues."
He added:
"The Queen and Royal Family were strong supporters of London's bid and it was a delight to show Her Majesty how the Olympic Park site has continued to develop since winning the bid."
The Queen was also shown the Channel Tunnel rail link at Stratford, and was told that it would provide a high-speed seven-minute shuttle service between central London and the Olympic Park.
Let us now see if the promises made can be achieved on time, and within budget.
Wednesday, 12 October 2005
US May Not Bid For 2016 Olympics
It seems that after New York lost its bid for the 2012 Olympics, there may be no US cities at all bidding for the 2016 Games.
Peter Ueberroth, Chairman of the U.S. Olympic Committee, said that they would like to try. However, he noted that the international rules have changed and that they need to review their bid process.
Quote:
"We don't want cities spending an awful lot of money and not have a full chance to be victorious. You can't just have a city step up and show their skills and not get full support from the state, not get full support from the private sector, not get full support from (federal officials). It's really a joint bid.
I'm not saying we won't bid. I'm saying we're going to be very careful and understand it all before we get excited."
Peter Ueberroth, Chairman of the U.S. Olympic Committee, said that they would like to try. However, he noted that the international rules have changed and that they need to review their bid process.
Quote:
"We don't want cities spending an awful lot of money and not have a full chance to be victorious. You can't just have a city step up and show their skills and not get full support from the state, not get full support from the private sector, not get full support from (federal officials). It's really a joint bid.
I'm not saying we won't bid. I'm saying we're going to be very careful and understand it all before we get excited."
Monday, 10 October 2005
Chicago Needs a New Stadium
Chicago is deciding as to whether it will bid to host the 2016 Olympics.
However, dependent on that decision is another decision as to whether a new stadium needs to be built to host the track and filed events.
Paul O'Connor, Head of World Business Chicago, believes that it is too early to know whether the lack of a stadium would ruin Chicago's chances.
However, dependent on that decision is another decision as to whether a new stadium needs to be built to host the track and filed events.
Paul O'Connor, Head of World Business Chicago, believes that it is too early to know whether the lack of a stadium would ruin Chicago's chances.
Thursday, 6 October 2005
British Chief Named
Lord Colin Moynihan, former British Conservative Minister of Sport, has been elected Chairman of the British Olympic Association.
Moynihan, won a silver medal in the 1980 Olympics as cox to the men's rowing eight, won the vote 28-15 ahead of his one rival, former Olympic hurdler David Hemery, who remains vice-chairman.
The term lasts for three years.
BOA chief executive Simon Clegg said:
"I am extremely excited at the prospect of working with Colin Moynihan to deliver the vision of the Olympic governing bodies at this critical time in our history.
I have known Colin for nearly 20 years now and am convinced that his enthusiasm, leadership and passion for sport will enable the BOA to make the necessary step-change to meet the challenges we face in the build up to the London Olympic Games in 2012."
The irony for Blair and his Labour government is that the two top jobs in the Olympics, this one and Chairman of London 2102, are held by Conservative peers.
Moynihan, won a silver medal in the 1980 Olympics as cox to the men's rowing eight, won the vote 28-15 ahead of his one rival, former Olympic hurdler David Hemery, who remains vice-chairman.
The term lasts for three years.
BOA chief executive Simon Clegg said:
"I am extremely excited at the prospect of working with Colin Moynihan to deliver the vision of the Olympic governing bodies at this critical time in our history.
I have known Colin for nearly 20 years now and am convinced that his enthusiasm, leadership and passion for sport will enable the BOA to make the necessary step-change to meet the challenges we face in the build up to the London Olympic Games in 2012."
The irony for Blair and his Labour government is that the two top jobs in the Olympics, this one and Chairman of London 2102, are held by Conservative peers.
Wednesday, 5 October 2005
Olympic Building Bonanza
Building firms in London are gearing up for an expected building bonanza, based on the back of the 2012 London Olympics.
Around £2.4BN has been set aside for 2012 Olympic Games' construction projects.
However, The National Federation of Builders (NFB) has raised concerns that many major contracts could be awarded to firms that use labour and sub-contractors outside of London.
NFB is asking the London Development Agency (LDA) to ensure that controls are in place that recognise the interests of the sector.
Gary Amer, regional director of NFB in the South, is quoted as saying:
"The London Olympics have the potential to be the best ever and though the NFB recognises that the benefits need to trickle down across the UK, I'm concerned many local construction companies and their employees could miss out.
Though it's appreciated the ODA hasn't been established yet and that many of the contracts won't be available until 2008, it's essential that small and medium-sized contractors are involved from an early stage.
We're currently working hard to influence the LDA and hope to have meaningful discussions with the ODA later this year."
As noted many times on this site, the Olympics is not about sport; it's about money!
Around £2.4BN has been set aside for 2012 Olympic Games' construction projects.
However, The National Federation of Builders (NFB) has raised concerns that many major contracts could be awarded to firms that use labour and sub-contractors outside of London.
NFB is asking the London Development Agency (LDA) to ensure that controls are in place that recognise the interests of the sector.
Gary Amer, regional director of NFB in the South, is quoted as saying:
"The London Olympics have the potential to be the best ever and though the NFB recognises that the benefits need to trickle down across the UK, I'm concerned many local construction companies and their employees could miss out.
Though it's appreciated the ODA hasn't been established yet and that many of the contracts won't be available until 2008, it's essential that small and medium-sized contractors are involved from an early stage.
We're currently working hard to influence the LDA and hope to have meaningful discussions with the ODA later this year."
As noted many times on this site, the Olympics is not about sport; it's about money!
Tuesday, 4 October 2005
Softball Tries For A Comeback
An international softball delegation will meet IOC president Jacques Rogge today, to try to win their reinstatement in the 2012 Olympics.
Softball and baseball were voted out of the Olympic program after 2008 this July.
Rogge has said the IOC could consider a re-vote, but only if the members ask for one.
Don Porter, International Softball Federation president, said:
"I am optimistic that this unified effort by our softball delegation will show Mr Rogge and the IOC members that almost three months after the vote, we remain committed to getting our sport back on the 2012 program".
Softball and baseball were voted out of the Olympic program after 2008 this July.
Rogge has said the IOC could consider a re-vote, but only if the members ask for one.
Don Porter, International Softball Federation president, said:
"I am optimistic that this unified effort by our softball delegation will show Mr Rogge and the IOC members that almost three months after the vote, we remain committed to getting our sport back on the 2012 program".
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