Tessa the Duchess Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 I was not happy when London 'won' the contest to host the next Olympic games This city is quite crowded enough without half the world descending on it, albeit for a few weeks. I am not a fan of any sport, and I really don't see all the hooha about being able to jump half a mm higher than somebody else or run 2 seconds faster than somebody else, so what London was promised an updated transport system....why couldn't it be improved and updated without spending billions on hosting a sports event? grrrrrrrr. Yesterday I heard on the news that they are building a special range for the shooting events, it will cost one and a half million pounds After 15 days it will be dismantled The money is not enough to build a new hospital, but it could certainly buy an MRI machine or go towards employing a few more nurses, or teachers or anthing useful instead of a stupid shooting range. And don't get me started on how much is to be spent on security for the 'event' The projected cost for staging the 'event has now tripled from the original estimation and will no doubt triple again before its finished, if it is finished on time Where is the money coming from? as a Londoner from my exhorbitant council tax and The National Lottery which is supposed to be 'the people's lottery' and meant to be spent on GOOD causes. I am beyond angry at all this ridiculous waste of our money Rant endeth here Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 I am inclined to agree. I was flabbergasted re the allotments debacle around the London Olympics too. Short sightedness in the extreme. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 I agree, I'm sure some rich business people make a fortune out of it, lottery funding directly into their pockets, if the money spent hosting the event generated more to support our youngsters sporting facilities then maybe I would be happier. Not sure it does tho! lots of schools are loosing playing fields to housing developers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 I'm with you Tessa (alone amongst my friends, I have to say - most of them were jubilant when we won the bid). The existing transport infrastructure can't support the demands made on it, as anyone who lives/travels in London will know - how on earth is it going to cope with thousands of visitors? I didn't know about the shooting range, but that makes me feel very as well. And most of this, inevitably, is being paid for by Londoners through their council tax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 And most of this, inevitably, is being paid for by Londoners through their council tax. Sheffield hosted the World Student Games about 15 years ago. We are still paying massively for it. Yes......we have some marvellous facilities....but the average Sheffielder can't afford to use them.....or to travel to them as apart from Ponds Forge Swimming Pool) they are all dotted around the periphery of the city. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 I havent actually met anyone yet who is excited about it. Well not that I know of. I won't get started as I don't tend to be polite but I'm with you Tessa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Don't start me off on that one too Tessa! We're always hearing about it at work - as construction contracts consultants, we have been involved from the start I sincerely doubt that any of it will be ready on time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gooner.girl Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 *Sticks her head above parapet! Being the head coach of an athletics club we're all delighted about it and think its very important who can jump a mm higher then the next person! One of the girls i used to train may well be in the British team in 2012 (shes an 800m runner) I do agree re: waste of money for the shooting range though - and the fact theres no way the transport system will cope. They can't even manage 50,000 gooners on the tube for an evening KO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted January 22, 2008 Author Share Posted January 22, 2008 Sheffield hosted the World Student Games about 15 years ago. We are still paying massively for it. There you go. I did some research...all the countries that have hosted both the Summer and Winter olympics are still paying for them years after the event. I can't remember which Canadian city, either Montreal or Quebec are still in debt from the Winter olympics which they hosted about 12 years ago Ensure that everyone who lives in London can have afforable housing, especially the key workers, and then you can start thinking about hosting luxuries like the Olympics Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 I have a friend who's son is quite likely to qualify for a running event in 2012....I'll be rooting for him.....but........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted January 22, 2008 Author Share Posted January 22, 2008 I sincerely doubt that any of it will be ready on time! Actually, apart from the waste of money, I get a certain amount of glee contemplating this happening But, look at the 'Dome', look at the new Wembley Stadium, both huge building projects and both extremely late in delivering the goods. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmy Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 I agree it is annoying - the very funny Marcus Brigstoke highlits this point. hes a comedian by the way. Ill find the link... part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJEH9P0hgCw *part 2* : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZO8vyPpijI&feature=related This is very funny but also slightly rude.... Its in part 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
