London Olympics Economic Boost Failing to Materialise

RenovationMan

benb76 wrote: »

I really pity the Olympics cynics and those that cannot see the value of the good feeling and excitement that the games have already brought, and they've not even started properly! These are the sort of people who'll never throw a house party or invite friends over for drinks; afterall it'll cost money to do this with no tangible financial return!!

If you're throwing lavish house parties that cost Billions, then I want an invite!!

bankhater_1965

benb76 wrote: »

I really pity the Olympics cynics and those that cannot see the value of the good feeling and excitement that the games have already brought, and they've not even started properly! These are the sort of people who'll never throw a house party or invite friends over for drinks; afterall it'll cost money to do this with no tangible financial return!!

i think the true feeling is that someone is not telling the truth ??? its cost billions to host and i much dout it will make a profit, whilst families go starving through cut backs on benefits and the disabled and the forces(armed forces,police,firefighters etc) are given p45s because we keep getting told we are in debt and need to cut back , and here we are hosting the olympics !! im not sure what that good feeling is personaly
its just all front to a worthless course to a 2 face goverments

A._Badger

GeorgeHowell wrote: »

Most people fall into one of two categories :- those who like sport, and those who find things to moan about regarding the Olympic Games.

Alternatively - those that like sport and those that are expected to pay for your enjoyment of it.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

I'm looking forward to the Olympics because I love sport. I realise that the modern Olympics is now encumbered with an increasingly ridiculous self-appointed circus and I think eventually it may shoot itself in the foot (wearing the appropriately branded sports shoe of course) with this approach. A slimmed down version would be welcome, but I can't see that happening anytime soon.

We can show the world we're still a nation that can get stuff done (all building projects completed on time and on budget, no construction deaths [for the first time in Olympic history I think]), or we can whinge and moan like a bunch of old women.

I work in central London and one of the hotels we use for guest bookings was telling us months ago that during the period they were going to be charging £400 a night, minimum 3 nights stay (it's usually £115 per night). If they are now struggling to let rooms it's because of shortsighted greed.

chewmylegoff

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

I'm looking forward to the Olympics because I love sport. I realise that the modern Olympics is now encumbered with an increasingly ridiculous self-appointed circus and I think eventually it may shoot itself in the foot (wearing the appropriately branded sports shoe of course) with this approach. A slimmed down version would be welcome, but I can't see that happening anytime soon.

We can show the world we're still a nation that can get stuff done (all building projects completed on time and on budget, no construction deaths [for the first time in Olympic history I think]), or we can whinge and moan like a bunch of old women.

I work in central London and one of the hotels we use for guest bookings was telling us months ago that during the period they were going to be charging £400 a night, minimum 3 nights stay (it's usually £115 per night). If they are now struggling to let rooms it's because of shortsighted greed.

i'm looking forward to it too, i will be watching large amounts of silly sports which i wouldn't normally pay any attention to (although i have to say i prefer the winter olympics for that purpose).

for all the fuss about the sponsorship and the ridiculous rules imposed (e.g. prince harry having to wear addidas tops instead of his normal SS uniform) it still seems that the host nation has to pay for everything out of its own pocket. i wouldn't mind if it was all paid for by corporate sponsorship, but the corporate sponsorship seems to be tiny by comparison to the overall budget (and presumably the IOC is trousering a massive slice of it).

either (i) we splurge £9 billion on it, but get it sponsor free without the stupid corporate gravy train; or (ii) corporate sponsorship buys the lot and we call get forced to eat mcchicken mcnuggets at £10 a piece at every event, and only people who work for coca cola can get tickets, and all the athletes have to get a nike tattoo on their face.

it seems to me that we somehow get the downside of both options without the upside of either.

joe_blotts

Can't wait till it's over. This 2 week sports and advertising fest. I'm just not interested in finding out which of 10+ blokes can throw a stick the furthest or who can hit a ball with a stick the 'best' etc but whatever floats your boat. the govs gonna waste the money they get so why not watse it on this, it's gonna run out soon enough anyway.

GeorgeHowell

A._Badger wrote: »

Alternatively - those that like sport and those that are expected to pay for your enjoyment of it.

I think Oliver Cromwell kind of took that view about anything that anyone enjoyed, and we know how that ended.

A._Badger

GeorgeHowell wrote: »

I think Oliver Cromwell kind of took that view about anything that anyone enjoyed, and we know how that ended.

Oli is much maligned. Many of his problems stemmed from halfwits in Parliament. Plus ca change....

The point still stands - no one subsidises rock concerts or fishing or soccer - what's so special about sports most people can't even name?

GeorgeHowell

A._Badger wrote: »

Oli is much maligned. Many of his problems stemmed from halfwits in Parliament. Plus ca change....

The point still stands - no one subsidises rock concerts or fishing or soccer - what's so special about sports most people can't even name?

I thought OC was the leader of the halfwits in Parliament ?

I reckon soccer will be subsidised in effect if West Ham United occupy the Olympic Stadium some time down the line.

I can name taekwondo (probably won't watch much of it though).

What about the arts, eg Covent Garden ? Right or wrong that is also considered to be of national value and benefit.

A._Badger

GeorgeHowell wrote: »

I thought OC was the leader of the halfwits in Parliament ?

He was 'Lord Protector' - and spent much of his time, post regicide and notably after dismissing the Rump Parliament in 1653, ruling as a dictator, having despaired of the jackasses in the House.

GeorgeHowell wrote: »

I reckon soccer will be subsidised in effect if West Ham United occupy the Olympic Stadium some time down the line.

I can name taekwondo (probably won't watch much of it though).

What about the arts, eg Covent Garden ? Right or wrong that is also considered to be of national value and benefit.

There is certainly a case to be made for ceasing all such subsidies - especially where the object is to create 'art' for a cultural 'elite'.