Olympic Games opening ceremony: is this a joke?

[Playbill]

I have just been told that the opening and closing ceremonies for next year's advertising extravaganza - sorry, Olympics - is going to cost £41,000,000.

How can this be possible? How many fireworks will they be letting off?

Bet the French breathed a sigh of relief when they 'lost out'.

This will put us on the same level as the Eurozone countries - debt wise.

[ludwig]

They could no doubt save 80million quid by having a brass band marching up and down and a gymnastic display by the local brownies, but when you make a commitment to hosting the Olympic games, it's incumbent on you to do it properly.

There are always better ways to spend money, irrespective of the state of the economy.

Why the extra money? Who knows. They obviously costed the plans and came up with a 41million shortfall. It's an easy mistake to make - I'm sure we've all done it.

[jno]

Africa coped with the World Cup okay; I don't see why it shouldn't host the Olympics

[Kayless]

I can't give an itemised bill but I'd say the cost will be spent in expenses for 1000's of people to devise, rehearse and put on the show. No doubt there is a lot of things to buy and make, exes etc. Just look back at previous openning/closing ceremonies in other countries and that's the sort of thing the money is spent on, I doubt any of the previous ceremonies where done for £2.50 either.

I really think you are making a mountain out of a mole hill here. As jake attempted to point out above there is lots comming back too. Another example is the thousands of central London apartments that will be sold after the Olympics. Not to mention the legacy of the facilities left. As I said above if you want to moan about cost start moaning about how much free money we give to to WSC.

[emmie]

seeing it was awarded so far back, as these things have to be planned well in advance, perhaps have a leaf through the link. Blair was in power, it was his and Lord Coe's plan, and it should be good for the capital, and if it isn't then it isn't for want of trying
http://news.bbc.co.uk...ront_page/4655555.stm

[emmie]

some interesting or not facts, and if you look at how much money china spent on its opening and closing ceremonies, suggest that this is a drop in the ocean.
http://www.telegraph....mes-have-changed.html