Olympics

[Andy68]

Well as we all will know the countdown is on to the Olympic games , The media seem to want to get us all exited about it , Whats your thoughts on it , Waste of money , good for the country etc etc

 

Andy

[Starbuck]

Personally i've never been bothered about the Olympics.

But if you think about it.... how much has this government spent on it ( advertising, stadiums etc) and they say they have to cut back.

Yeah right!

The ordinary guy on the street is going to make nothing out of the Olympics, so why are we so desperate to have them in Great Britain?

[ukbobboy]

Personally i've never been bothered about the Olympics.

But if you think about it.... how much has this government spent on it ( advertising, stadiums etc) and they say they have to cut back.

Yeah right!

The ordinary guy on the street is going to make nothing out of the Olympics, so why are we so desperate to have them in Great Britain?

 

Guys

 

Although this is an old thread, and I've just joined this forum, I'm still inclined to put my 2 pence worth in.

 

First, when it was announced that we were bidding for the Olympics I said to myself, "why are we bidding for this, surely the country can't afford it?"

 

We were then subject to a barrage of propaganda and outright lies about the Olympics affordability (that is, it would not cost the tax payer anything), what economic benefits it would bring to the country (we now know that it will disrupt our transportation systems and so our economy) and rejuvenate run down areas (the apartments vacated by athletes will be snapped up by speculators and ordinary people will not get a look in).

 

Now, if you look at the past few years since we "won" the Olympics you will note that our economy has flat-lined, unemployment is on the rise and they plan to put surface to air missiles on the roofs of peoples flats/apartments.

 

I believe that this Olympics is mainly for the politicians, whether Tory, Labour or Liberal, and the only way we could have made our voices heard, about this gigantic waste of money, is via a referendum.

 

You know, I find it utterly disgusting that our government can waste so much money when we are in the middle of the worst economic crises in living memory while cutting the meagre benefits of the most vulnerable in our society.

 

 

UK Bob

[KenB]

Just to add my two pennyworth as well ..............

 

I have been involved with athletics in the UK for many years.

I was ( am ) an international standard timekeeper.

I have not applied for ANY tickets to watch ANY event !

 

Athletics in the UK, along with most other sports, is run by volunteers who give their time and expertise freely.

In most cases we do not even get expenses.

I have 4 watches - various tops - blazer - whites etc etc all bought at full cost ............no subsidy!

If I applied for tickets there would be no subsidy here too !!!

 

A couple of years ago UKA decided in their wisdom that ALL Level 5 ( highest level ) officials needed re-training.

They provided one venue 55 miles from my home and one free course ............that I couldn't make.

Afterwards they wanted to charge me to attend the same course - which I had to get to at my own expence.

This course was 96 miles from my home !!

 

After numerous emails UKA would not back down.

 

I suggested that they take my course fee out of their vast hospitality budget.

This received no response.

 

If it wasn't for me - and hundreds of others like me - the olympics would not be taking place at all.

 

I refuse to have anything to do with UKA these days and will watch the events on TV - for free !!