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Child Item

British Olympics - a money making racket?

Biggins

Apologies if posted in the wrong section.
Mods, please move if ye feel its necessary.

Once again, it seems the British organising of the Olympics for London might have turned into more partial farce.

Short version:
* Torch bearers having to buy their torch.
* Shoe names covered up to a daft extent.
* Billions in public money spent to benefit primarily giant corporations.
* Goldman Sachs set to also profit.

Long version:

LONDON—The notion that the Olympics have anything to do with the spirit of amateur athletics is one that corporations gleefully stabbed to death not too long before Michael Jordan and the Dream Team won gold in Barcelona in 1992, when Jordan almost boycotted the medal ceremony because his team's warm-up outfits bore the Reebok logo instead of the Nike swoosh.

Poor Reebok. A similar thing has already happened to them this time around. Last week, Aidan Kirkwood, a British war veteran and charity hero who will be one of the Olympics torchbearers in June, was forced to cover his Reebok tennis shoes in white tape at an event because they weren't made by Adidas, the official cordwainers of the torchbearing team. From The Telegraph:

Such is the level of paranoia at ambush marketing at the London Olympic Games that a soldier injured in Afghanistan was required to cover up the logo on his trainers when he appeared at an Olympic torch relay event this week.
...

Source: http://deadspin.com/5896548/the-goldman-sachs+y-group-behind-the-london-olympics-is-making-torchbearers-buy-their-own-torches?tag=goldman-sachs

I can understand having to cover the cost of many an item including torches but its seems very expensive and frankly, a bit of a cheek when the people that are being allowed to carry torches, have been awarded that honour for good deeds they have previously done and/or the high respect a community hold of them.

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Gordon

Biggins wrote: »

It was just a passing thought amid many I have come across in reading of some strange things that occurring - thats all.

NOT aimed at yourself Gordon but some people posting here need to clam down!
Its just another thread with random posted rubbish in it.
Don't like the contents - then ignore this fool (me!) and carry on reading more interesting threads.
...And no, its won't cost me a cent - it might make me money too instead!

Hey, if you don't like the responses, ignore them and read other ones!

Cristiano Ronaldo is sponsoring the diving.

ArmaniJeanss

Biggins wrote: »

Have sister in law living in central London with four kids, they are thinking over moving back here while its on.
They are dreading it!

Whilst obviously its their decision, it seems a little strange to me to leave a city while the Olympics are on, especially with kids.
Its a once in a lifetime event.

Sure there'll be disruptions and hassles, but there'll also be a lifetimes of memories which will remain long after the 30 minute queue for the Tube has been forgotten.

There are plenty of free-to-view events (the two marathons, road cycling), plenty of events for which tickets are still available (football for definite, and I donn't think all the sessions of tennis, weighlifting, taekwando and stuff like that are sold out) and even going up to the Olympic Village just to sample the atmosphere would be a worthwhile trip.

For comparison purposes I'm paying an arm and a leg to bring my niece over to London - the though of actually living in London and leaving there for the duration shocks me.

Urge them to reconsider plz.

Biggins

ArmaniJeanss wrote: »

Whilst obviously its their decision, it seems a little strange to me to leave a city while the Olympics are on, especially with kids.
Its a once in a lifetime event...

It is to be sure but various councils have gone to extra-ordinary lengths to ensure very little is seen for free.
What's left for some London people is further huge traffic chaos, road closures, public transport altered, higher numbers of people packed in from around the world, hassle of trying to invariably trying to avoid possible higher numbers of those that would seek to gain illegal advantage (such as pick-pockets) over new higher numbers, squashed conditions, subway's crammed, etc.

ArmaniJeanss

Biggins wrote: »

It is to be sure but various councils have gone to extra-ordinary lengths to ensure very little is seen for free.

I've read some pathetic stuff alright, building high walls so that people can't get a free look at the sailing events (which aren't exactly a spectator sport anyway). But road cycling, marathons and the various walk events are confirmed as free, and there will be bands, sponsor events, facepainting and the like.

Biggins wrote: »

What's left for some London people is further huge traffic chaos, road closures, public transport altered, higher numbers of people packed in from around the world, hassle of trying to invariably trying to avoid possible higher numbers of those that would seek to gain illegal advantage (such as pick-pockets) over new higher numbers, squashed conditions, subway's crammed, etc.

Sometimes people in London don't appreciate their city ; it has an incredible ability to seamlessly cope with an influx of people, and a transport system which has a history of handling numbers very well.

Realistically, looking at the list of events and their capacities, the number of spectators involved in an entire days Olympics events is just a small fraction of the 1,000,000 who descend on the Tube between 7am and 8.30am every morning. So a small addition to normal commuter numbers, spread over a day - London will cope.

Biggins

ArmaniJeanss wrote: »

...London will cope.

No doubt and hope they (small businesses in particular) make some extra dosh.
Some residents near where some of the events though, have decided to get out of the city for the period.

ArmaniJeanss

Biggins wrote: »

No doubt and hope they (small businesses in particular) make some extra dosh.
Some residents near where some of the events though, have decided to get out of the city for the period.

I still think its a mistake to leave when you have kids, this is genuinely a once-in-a-lifetime event.
IMO the memories the kids will get from it will be something they'll carry for the rest of their lives, the 15 days when London was the centre of the world and they were part of it.

But none of my business really.

westendgirlie

Applied for tickets, didn't get any. I'm still thinking of going over anyway.

There will be more Londoners staying in London for the olympics than leaving. The atmosphere will be amazing.

Biggins

ArmaniJeanss wrote: »

I still think its a mistake to leave when you have kids, this is genuinely a once-in-a-lifetime event.
IMO the memories the kids will get from it will be something they'll carry for the rest of their lives, the 15 days when London was the centre of the world and they were part of it.

But none of my business really.

Speaking only for the sister-in-law and her kids, they were seriously effected/scared by the London riots (right on her door step, barricaded themselves in) so large numbers (for them) again, might be a scary prospect for them.

Sonnenblumen

Chuck Stone wrote: »

The Olympics is a way of converting public money into private profits. The Olympics rarely turn a profit and are out of reach for the average person due to the costs of obtaining tickets.

So fucking what? If you don't want to discuss it just don't bother posting and leave to those who do.

What hole are you speaking through or did you just bang your head?

You clearly know nothing about the Olympic movement, funding or indeed intended audience.

Attendance at big events is limited and always difficult for the 'avergae person'. Perhaps the fact that the Olympics the biggest sporting event in the world, which takes place every four years has somehow passed you by? How would you remotely think an 'average person' would/could get in?

You should practice what you preach.

westendgirlie

Biggins wrote: »

Speaking only for the sister-in-law and her kids, they were seriously effected/scared by the London riots (right on her door step, barricaded themselves in) so large numbers (for them) again, might be a scary prospect for them.

Make sure your Sis-in-Law hides the superglue. If those kids decide they want to stay in London for the games .........

Biggins

westendgirlie wrote: »

Make sure your Sis-in-Law hides the superglue. If those kids decide they want to stay in London for the games .........

They already done worse! :pac:

prinz

Whatever about the Olympics being a money making racket, it certainly has opened my eyes to Proctor & Gamble... every second TV ad seems to be P&G.:eek:

Chuck Stone

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

What hole are you speaking through or did you just bang your head?

You have a poor understanding of anatomy.

You clearly know nothing about the Olympic movement, funding or indeed intended audience.

And you do? Enlighten me?

Attendance at big events is limited and always difficult for the 'avergae person'. How would you remotely think an 'average person' would/could get in?

I've just said that.

Pathetic.

bwatson

The security bill is going to be crazy.

Royal Artillery operating air defence missile systems in SE London (although they are based in the area anyway) the Special Boat Service patrolling the Thames and all leave being cancelled at MI5 and the Met are just a few examples of how seriously its being taken.

I personally don't care much for the Olympics and will be out of the city at the time anyway, but I imagine the atmosphere will be amazing, especially in the centre of town.

Cardinal Richelieu

Biggins wrote: »

Speaking only for the sister-in-law and her kids, they were seriously effected/scared by the London riots (right on her door step, barricaded themselves in) so large numbers (for them) again, might be a scary prospect for them.

She could always rent her house out for the Olympic weeks, quite a few Londoners living in Wimbledon do that during the two Weeks of the Tennis.

Latchy

Chuck Stone wrote: »

The Olympics is a way of converting public money into private profits. The Olympics rarely turn a profit and are out of reach for the average person due to the costs of obtaining tickets.

It's also all about putting London on the map again and try gloss over the riots and if the average person can't afford the ticket costs then the ones who can should foot the bill for the extra security which is the military reserves .

bwatson

Latchy wrote: »

It's also all about putting London on the map again and try gloss over the riots and if the average person can't afford the ticket costs then the ones who can should foot the bill for the extra security which is the military reserves .

The Olympics were awarded to London 6 years before the riots, which have done little to tarnish London's reputation overall.

Chuck Stone

Latchy wrote: »

the ones who can should foot the bill for the extra security which is the military reserves .

Yep. The cost of security, half a billion Pounds, will be socialized too.

Security costs from the Olympics budget have risen from £282m to £553m.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-17302068

kowloon

Lots of 'once in a lifetime' events out there. Seeing who can run the fastest or jump the highest isn't going to top everyone's list.

old_aussie

It's one way for the host country to get lots of sporting and associated infrastructure, which will benefit people for many years to come.

Chuck Stone

old_aussie wrote: »

It's one way for the host country to get lots of sporting and associated infrastructure

What? England is full of sporting venues. English folk like their football, rugby and cricket and they have loads of facilities for that from top-flight premiership stadiums to public pitches for the pub teams. Unlike the Olympics the costs of going seeing your team are reasonable and access is easy.

which will benefit people for many years to come

What people? How will it benefit them?

It's going to cost them ~$15 billion - do you think they will get a return on their 'investment'?

Jimoslimos

Ah would everyone stop whining please! I'm actually looking forward to it, would love to go, but unfortunately will be too busy studying at the time.

It could do with a bit of trimming though. Far too many events which don't belong there, especially team ones. If an Olympic medal isn't the pinnacle of your chosen sport - then it has no business in the Olympics, tennis and football are two that immediately spring to mind.

steve9859

I absolutely can't wait. London will be rocking for those three weeks....there'll be screens up in Hyde Park and other places, with other entertainment going on, for those that don't have tickets. I know people at Skyride, and they are planning loads of kids bike events & clinics to coincide with showing the cycling on big screens. And there is still availability at Paralympic venues.

There are too many glass half empty people around the UK, just looking at the negatives. I think many of those people would find that if they embraced the Olympics, they might actually enjoy it!

It is becoming apparent that the renting out your house thing is an bit of an urban myth, unless you live a stones throw from the stadium, or have a mansion that you can rent to an Middle East sheikh or an oligarch. The Evening Standard has done a good few articles on it. So IMO to leave London during a once in a lifetime event would be daft

getz

ArmaniJeanss wrote: »

Whilst obviously its their decision, it seems a little strange to me to leave a city while the Olympics are on, especially with kids.
Its a once in a lifetime event.

Sure there'll be disruptions and hassles, but there'll also be a lifetimes of memories which will remain long after the 30 minute queue for the Tube has been forgotten.

There are plenty of free-to-view events (the two marathons, road cycling), plenty of events for which tickets are still available (football for definite, and I donn't think all the sessions of tennis, weighlifting, taekwando and stuff like that are sold out) and even going up to the Olympic Village just to sample the atmosphere would be a worthwhile trip.

For comparison purposes I'm paying an arm and a leg to bring my niece over to London - the though of actually living in London and leaving there for the duration shocks me.

Urge them to reconsider plz.

why not,not all the olympic competitions are held in london,for inst all british football home games are at old trafford [manchester] .also both the mens and womans semi finals,the child could be a football fan,its not just london that the events are staged,

LizT

Biggins wrote: »

Anyone here going to it? Got tickets?

I'm going to the rowing which is just outside London. Probably won't go into London as it's manic enough on a normal day!

Dubit10

bwatson wrote: »

The security bill is going to be crazy.

Royal Artillery operating air defence missile systems in SE London (although they are based in the area anyway) the Special Boat Service patrolling the Thames and all leave being cancelled at MI5 and the Met are just a few examples of how seriously its being taken.

I personally don't care much for the Olympics and will be out of the city at the time anyway, but I imagine the atmosphere will be amazing, especially in the centre of town.

It will be terror free one would hope but you never know. No doubt some mad mulla will look upon it as a great chance to do something crazy.