Olympics

[anotheoldgit]

http://news.sky.com/s...201003415579707?f=rss

Could the threat from terrorism spoil London's Olympic Games?

[Justincider]

The massive security operation will slow entry to many events. But terrorists strike when we least expect it, so, I doubt any attack will happen. But the threat, will certainly have an effect.

[joggerjayne]

Maybe the fact that the preparations are behind schedule and over budget, we don't have the money to pay for them, efforts to raise private equity finance have failed, and most of the tickets are being allocated to government officials rather than the sports-watching public ...

... could spoil London's Olympic Games.

[Quinlad]

The threat of terrorism is never trivial but it is massively overblown in the media. The added security will be a minor inconvenience but that's all.

Sorry.

[Backdrifter]

The supposed 'threat' of terrorism already spoils minor things like taking a photo of a tourist destination (this is now regarded as suspicious).

Apart from higher security perhaps slowing things down, I doubt there'll be any undue fear or spoiling of enjoyment. We're pretty good at carrying on with our normal business when faced with possible terrorist threats. When we stop being able to do that, the terrorists have won- pity then that there are a few over-zealous people playing into their hands by reporting photo-taking as 'suspicious'.

[Justincider]

Montreal are still paying for the 1976 olympics. Nuff said

[Seadragon]

I think the threat will definitely overshadow the Games and be much course for concern. We can only put our faith in the security experts.

[R1Geezer]

justincider, congrats you get BGB for being totally uninformed. ignoring Moscow 1980, 1976 is the last time a games did not make a profit. The Atllanta games was inprofit before it eaven started. There is money up front yes, but that comes back in spades, don't worry your self.

[joggerjayne]

But the Atlanta Games was the most embarrassing "sporting" travesty of any sporting festival ever held.

Sport to second place to commercialism to the point that the entire Olympic movement was shaken. The city of Atlanta even set itself up in competition AGAINST the International Olympic Committee to secure revenue, giving licences to unofficial "merchandise" vendors, in preference to the IOC's own official merchandise.

It was a disgrace, and Atlanta should never have been awarded the Games.

I don't think we should use that as a role model !

[Quinlad]

I'm not bothered if it makes a profit or not. There's more to life than the odd quid.

It's a bit of colour and life and pride and achievement to focus on for a change.

Or we could save the money and carry on trudging towards the grave like the miserable tw*ts we are.

[jno]

agree with JJ. Making a profit isn't everything. Barcelona barely squeaked into the black, but the result of the games was to regenerate the city and make it a huge tourist destination, which means it's still in effect making money from the games.

There's an argument here

http://www.npr.org/te...php?storyId=113351145

that even LA lost money in staging the games; but conversely that even cities that apply to stage them, but don't get chosen, still see a consequent economic improvement.

[R1Geezer]

just responding to the naysayers JJ.

[joggerjayne]

I know, Geezer.

You made a good point.

[rov1200]

I'm more worried about the number of people coming here for the Olympics and not returning. Also I slightly remember some team who arrived at a past games and they all absconded before competing.