Pathetic!

I see that the IOC are considering sacrificing the traditional Olympics opening and closing ceremony fireworks displays on the altar of "environmentalism".

Maybe, if the IOC were that concerned about the environment, they should consider abandoning the games altogether given the energy used, resources wasted, air pollution etc to host, attend and compete in the games?

Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics

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Airfares Capped

When London made its bid to host the 2012 Olympics, within its long list of promises was one to pay the airfares of all athletes, officials and assorted hangers on. At the time, the cost of this largess was estimated to be around £20M.

However, time moves on, as we all know we are now in a recession and the Olympics "budget" at the time of the bid was based on fantasy anyway.

The London Olympics organisers are now proposing to cap the airfares promise, and base payments on distance travelled (rather than actual cost incurred).

Needless to say national Olympic committees around the world, who had expected a freebie are now complaining loudly that they might have to stump up some of the cost for attending the games. For good measure, they are also complaining that they are having to pay for furniture and equipment for their temporary offices during the games.

Here are two thoughts on the matter:

1 Why the hell should we pay for others to fly here?

2 Attending the games, as far as I am aware, is not compulsory. Those countries that don't want to spend the money don't have to attend.

Problem solved!

Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics

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Price Promise Breached

The ticket prices for the London 2012 Olympics were published last Friday. Without any "irony" the highest price ticket is in fact £2,012 (for the opening ceremony on July 27 2012).

Notwithstanding that, the organisers claim that they have honoured promises to sell tickets at affordable prices (approximately 33% will be available at £20 or less).

However, their original estimate from the organisers was that approximately 50% of the tickets would be priced at £20 or less.

Tickets for the closing ceremony will cost up to £1,500. Athletics finals up to £725, and the finals of swimming, diving, gymnastics and beach volleyball will cost up to £450.

Unsurprisingly most of these will be sold off in blocks to corporate hospitality providers.

Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics

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Toilet Matters

There seems to be a degree of confusion in the media over reports that, because there will be a shortage of portaloos in 2012 (all loos are being requisitioned for the London Olympics), Glastonbury 2012 will be cancelled.

However, Michael Eavis (the organiser of Glastonbury) has denied reports that the cancellation is due to the portaloo shortage. He stated that the cancellation is in fact due to the shortage of police, as they will be tied up by covering the the London Olympics.

Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics

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Legacy Matters

It seems that members of the London Assembly are, quite rightly, a tad cynical about the promises made concerning the legacy of the London 2012 Olympics.

John Biggs, chair of the assembly's budget and performance committee, is quoted by Publicpropertyuk.com:

"A huge amount of money has gone into creating the Olympic Park and this investment must result in an economic benefit for east London and the capital as a whole.

Everyone thinks responsibility for the legacy is cut and dried, but our investigation suggests there are still many unanswered questions which need to be addressed if London is to get the kind of legacy that was promised."





Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics

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Ofcom Kiboshes Olympics Radio

Ofcom have put the kibosh on plans for a DAB Olympics radio station (planned to broadcast only during the 2012 Olympics).

The reason being that it received only 10 preliminary expressions of interest.

Given that Ofcom refused to release AM and FM frequencies for broadcast this lack of interest is hardly surprising, DAB simply is far to niche to be of interest and commercially viable for such a short term project.

Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics

Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.comwww.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"

Legacy Matters

Tottenham Hotspurs' recent bid to move into the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 games has one rather significant problem, it does not include any provision for an athletics track.

Spurs do not want a track, because it will detract from having a "perfect" football stadium.

All very well, maybe. However, London 2012 won its Olympic bid on the basis of a promise to the International Olympic Committee that part of the legacy of the games would be an athletics track capable of staging major events.

Who will blink first?

Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics

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The Traversty

Councillor Helal Abbas, Leader of Tower Hamlets Council, has told BBC London that the new route for the London Olympics marathon was a travesty.

He said Tower Hamlets had originally been promised three events would take place there, and now none will happen in the borough.

Mr Abbas added that Tower Hamlets was getting all of the disruption but none of the benefits of the games.

Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics

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Marathon Row Continues

Locog is refusing to apologise for the decision taken by them to move the marathon route for the London 2012 Olympics from the East End.

The Evening Standard have a copy of leaked letter sent by Locog to Tower Hamlets council explaining the reasons for the decision to move the route. Seemingly a major issue being the VIP Olympic traffic lanes.

Maybe so, but wouldn't Locog have considered the VIP traffic lanes at the time they were planning the original marathon route?

This row will continue.

Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics

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Oh Ye Of Little Faith!

A survey of the UK's customer service managers, carried out by the Institute of Customer Service (ICS), has revealed that 32% of those surveyed believe that essential public services (eg transport facilities, policing and healthcare provision) will fall short at the 2012 Olympics as a result of the extra demand placed upon them.

Given that public services are, even at their best, "stretched" and that the public sector is facing massive cuts there is every reason to believe that the public services will fail.

The government, of course, says that they won't fail.

Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics

Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.comwww.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"