Olympics

[Digit]

Sorry Dennis I obviously came across badly. What I meant was that national pride is dictating the organising of the Games. Each country is attempting to outdo the others in presentation.
I doubt very much that the organisers of any modern games was driven by a love of sport.
Take London, do we actually have to spend billions to organise the Games? The ooooh! factor is beginning to become more important than the sporting events themselves I fear.

Roy.

 

[dennis]

Roy

I must agree that even though the opening ceremonies are marvellous to watch, and the facilities fantastic there seems to be an ever increasing need to outdo the previous hosts. Some of the billions spent on these would be much more appreciated at grass roots helping the sportspeople who are not up to olympic standards, and hopefully helping some to achieve it. But more importantly helping people who love participating in sport even though they have limited ability.

Dennis

 

[davegw]

Sorry Dennis I obviously came across badly. What I meant was that national pride is dictating the organising of the Games. Each country is attempting to outdo the others in presentation.
I doubt very much that the organisers of any modern games was driven by a love of sport.
Take London, do we actually have to spend billions to organise the Games? The ooooh! factor is beginning to become more important than the sporting events themselves I fear.

Roy.

I find myself in the utterly novel position of agreeing with a certain Mr Livingstone who said the other day that there is no way London would be able to compete with the opening ceremony in Bejing. I'd add - and we shouldn't!

Dave

 

[woodbloke]

davegw wrote:

London would be able to compete with the opening ceremony

I wonder what we'll do in four years time? HM (assuming she'd hasn't pegged out :wink: ) state coach, Guards band etc?....Rob

 

[lurker]

davegw wrote:

London would be able to compete with the opening ceremony

I wonder what we'll do in four years time? HM (assuming she'd hasn't pegged out :wink: ) state coach, Guards band etc?....Rob

Jug ears (Charlie) will be elbowing with whichever dollop we have for PM at the time, for the limelight.
Fire works & wire displays etc will be banned by H&S
Contractors will be ripping off the taxpayer for last minute fixes
Place full of spivs & civil servants (same thing really).

A year later (2013) all the sites will be derelict like those garden festival sites ( remember how they were going to regenerate cities?).

I think the parades should consist of 300 morris dancers followed by 300 "Victor Meldrews ( lead by Smudger) :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Digit]

I find myself in the utterly novel position of agreeing with a certain Mr Livingstone

Just rest in the dark for a while and it will pass! :lol:

Roy.

 

[Paul Chapman]

I hope we go for a low-key opening ceremony. I think we are starting to suffer from 'opening ceremony overload'.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Digit]

And I have to agree with that as well Dennis.
I can't see the present attempts to out the Jones' all the time continuing, I think a permanent venue will eventually be adopted.
if just a fraction of what has been spent on venues since WW2 had been spent on a permanent site just think what it would be like and any profits could be returned to sport.

Roy.

 

[woodbloke]

I think a permanent venue will eventually be adopted.

Roy.

Where, and how would you decide what country it would be in? Seems to be that Greece is the logical answer as that's where it all started - Rob

 

[Gill]

Sorry to be a killjoy, but 98% of sport leaves me totally uninspired, so haven' seen any of the O so far...however 'Land of the Jaguar' last night :shock: with the guy on that rock face...
:-k ...footie season starts soon, good job the telly's got a zapper and 'off' switch - Rob

I certainly agree about Lost Land Of The Jaguar; it was the best television I've seen for months, if not years, and knocked any sports coverage into a cocked hat.

That said, it was nice to see sports other than soccer, rugby and cricket getting some exposure. I enjoyed hockey when I was at school, so watching that was a pleasure, as was the cycling and badminton. It'll be a shame when the field and track sports start going.

Gill

 

[Digit]

Where, and how would you decide what country it would be in?

That of course is where once again national pride would come to the fore, but as you say, Greece must be the logical venue, no other country has such claim and if world leaders could put nationalism aside for a moment then Greece I think it would have to be.

Roy.

 

[davegw]

Where, and how would you decide what country it would be in?

That of course is where once again national pride would come to the fore, but as you say, Greece must be the logical venue, no other country has such claim and if world leaders could put nationalism aside for a moment then Greece I think it would have to be.

Roy.

Given the expense of hosting the games I wouldn't be at all surprised that if and when it does get a permanent venue many countries will nominate others.

 

[Vormulac]

Jug ears (Charlie) will be elbowing with whichever dollop we have for PM at the time, for the limelight.
Fire works & wire displays etc will be banned by H&S
Contractors will be ripping off the taxpayer for last minute fixes
Place full of spivs & civil servants (same thing really).

I'm a civil servant, I work for a pittance to ensure that the medicines and medical equipment used in this country are safe to use and ethically produced. How the f*ck does that make me a suitable target for your derision?

 

[Digit]

The answer to that Vormulac is simple, the stupid activities to which the general public are subjected by Civil Servants on a daily basis.
The result is that you are tarred with the same brush, right or wrong.
Take today for example where where Wiltshire Council is refusing to collect wheelie bins unless they can be moved with just two fingers and placed a certain distance from the kerb.
Estate agent face the same criticisms, as do politicians, because the 'Jobsworths' don't have a brain, only a rule book.
Did you see the article today about the soldier on a train?
What would have said about ticket inspectors after an episode like that, or 'Yellow Perils' ticketing a hearse?
It goes with the territory I'm afraid.

Roy.

 

[davegw]

I'm afraid that we are all victims of stereotyping.

I'm a wood turner, a computer programmer, and I come from Essex, I also like motor sport, rugby, jazz, history, science fiction, lord of the rings, terry pratchett, and I drive a 4x4.

Imagine the fun people who only see one facett of me have!

:lol:

 

[woodbloke]

Spiv, and I quote:

"Spiv is a British word for a particular kind of petty criminal, who deals in stolen goods or fraudulent sales, especially a well-dressed man offering goods at bargain prices. The goods are generally not what they seem or have been obtained illegally. It was particularly used during the Second World War and in the Post-War rationing period for black-market dealers."

Working for the MOD I take strong, personal offence at being described in this way and think an apology ought to be forthcoming. Enough said - Rob

 

[Digit]

Whilst fully understanding your feelings Rob and Vormulac, I was similarly branded in the past by other's activities, may I ask you both this in defence of Lurker, have neither of you, hand on heart, never sworn about the activities of other Civil Servants?
Be honest! :lol:

Roy.

 

[woodbloke]

Interesting. No response from the individual concerned yet - Rob

 

[dennis]

It'll be a shame when the field and track sports start going.

Gill

Just shows how different people are as track and field is the part that I enjoy most. The fact that I am a runner probably accounts for this. I think that most people enjoy any sport that they have participated in more, as they understand the ability and dedication needed to reach the top level, more than anyone that has not.

Dennis

 

[Digit]

Ditto for me Dennis, the worst, for me, is the synchronised drowning!

Roy.