London Olympics - spiralling costs!

[Bielzibubz]

When it was announced that we'd one the bid to host the London Olympics in 2012 I was over the moon. I thought it was brilliant news not just for London and the regeneration of run down area of the capital but also for the country as a whole.

However, with the latest revelation that costs have spiralled to over £9 billion from the original £2.6 billion and in all likelihood that this will not be the final figure (conservative final estimates from non governmental sources say it could be as high as £12 billion) I cannot help but feel now that this is a price not worth paying. Think of the difference this money could make to the prison service, the NHS, the education system. Think of the difference this money could make to deprived areas outside of London in the next 5 years.

And another point. If you were a project manager and you won a contract and subsequently told your client "sorry, it's going to cost 4 times as much now" you'd be held to account and probably booted out on your ****. Won't see that happening with this lot though will we.

Discuss...

 

[* ORM *]

After the Millenium Dome and Wembley is anyone in the least bit surprised ? It's a split decision at the moment from the ORM camp because it depends where the money needed is going to be raised from.

The Olympics completely transformed Barcelona in '82 and it is still reaping the rewards now with a fine marina, hotel and conference complex together with restaurants and nightlife that aren't exclusive and pricey. In terms of London 2012 the area being redeveloped was in major need of transformation and, short of a bomb, it is just possible that some long term benefit might come out of it.

What I do find hard to swallow is the inability of this country to promote and organise itself on a national and local level. After 5 years of being completely empty the dome still has no future. The new Wembley looks fantastic but I'm still gobsmacked that with all the travel problems getting to and from the place there was a need to build it where it is. Ken Livingstone is trying bloody hard to price tourists out of what is already one of the most expensive capitals in the world. Fortunately there are still enough dumb and rich Americans and Asians wanting to photograph themselves in front of Buck House and the like.

On a local level if it wasn't for Mr Adventure Island this town would have nothing to attract what has been the lifeblood for donkeys years, daytrippers. I drove past this morning then stopped to take a look at yet another new ride. Contrast that with the pier and the biggest opportunity and attraction this town has gone to waste. The big fire was over 30 years ago now. Hundreds of thousands visited the end of the pier annually and though I was a wee lad I can still remember it vividly.

 

[steveo]

If the whole Olympic thing had been given to a proven businessman it might have had a chance, but its going to be a financial disaster.
Compare The Emirates v Wembly. One run by David Dein, the other by the FA

 

[Wessex]

Total waste of money, London was awarded the Olympics on the basis of a collosal lie about the true cost.

Why should the rest of the country cough up so that London can have 17 days of glory???????????????

Is there still time to let the frogs have the "honour" of hosting them? ;)

 

[MK Shrimper]

£9bn for 2 weeks of running & jumping is ridiculous. Build a permanent Olympics site somewhere around the world that can be used every four years.

 

[Wessex]

After 5 years of being completely empty the dome still has no future. The new Wembley looks fantastic but I'm still gobsmacked that with all the travel problems getting to and from the place there was a need to build it where it is. Ken Livingstone is trying bloody hard to price tourists out of what is already one of the most expensive capitals in the world. Fortunately there are still enough dumb and rich Americans and Asians wanting to photograph themselves in front of Buck House and the like.

I thought the Dome had been fitted out as a massive entertainment complex with a concert hall & cinemas etc. Thought it was opening up very soon and it's been re-branded as the O2?

http://www.theo2.co.uk/web/guest/home

 

[Wessex]

£9bn for 2 weeks of running & jumping is ridiculous. Build a permanent Olympics site somewhere around the world that can be used every four years.

That makes far too much sense for it ever to happen :eek:

 

[Uncle Leo]

I'm really disappointed about this. I was lucky enough to attend the Olympic Games in Athens and found it such an exciting an inspiring occasion. When London got the nod for 2012 I was absolutely ecstatic.

However, the media coverage about the Olympics is going to be about the costs now (I'm not saying this is wrong - to be going over budget by 400% is disgraceful), overshadowing the build up to what I am certain will be a fantastic event.

I know it'll have lots of knockers from people not interested in 'minority sports', but these for me are some of the most exciting things about the Games. €15 for an afternoon at the badminton was great value and really enjoyable.

 

[Bielzibubz]

I too am looking forward to the spectacle of the London games, especially as one of the sports is going to be virtually on our doorstep, but I'm disgusted that it has, and will continue, to go way over budget.

What I also find difficult to stomach is the lies and spin trotted out by the governmental halfwits associated with the project, although right from day one I expected nothing else. Just like with so many other aspects of the people we put in power I feel like we are being treated like collective morons and that we should just trust them to do a good job.

I have no doubt that there will be long term benefits from staging the games, and not just for that particular area of London, but also for the country and UK sports in general but I cannot help thinking that £9 - £12 billion could have made such a difference in so many ways to the people of the country as a whole. (and yes I know that a proportion of that amount is from private investment)

 

[TrueBlue]

£9bn for 2 weeks of running & jumping is ridiculous. Build a permanent Olympics site somewhere around the world that can be used every four years.

Perhaps you would prefer it to be held in Poland? or Kenya? then we can all skip to your left wing pc bollox!

 

[MK Shrimper]

Perhaps you would prefer it to be held in Poland? or Kenya? then we can all skip to your left wing pc bollox!

As a left-wing communist obviously I'd want it held in Cuba. Poland and Kenya are far too democratic for my tastes brother.

 

[canveyshrimper]

As a sports festival the Olympics is second to none, I was lucky enough to be in Barcelona in 92, and it was a fantastic experience.

I can't say as I'm surprised about this being now completely over budget, as that sour faced bitch Tessa Jowell assured us that every penny had been carefully costed. What is more galling is that the games are over 5 years away. Looks like another politician being economical with the truth.

In my business if I am given a price for a job, then that is what I expect to pay.

Having said that I am still excited about the event, and hope I shall still be around to attend.

 

[TrueBlue]

As a sports festival the Olympics is second to none, I was lucky enough to be in Barcelona in 92, and it was a fantastic experience.

I can't say as I'm surprised about this being now completely over budget, as that sour faced bitch Tessa Jowell assured us that every penny had been carefully costed. What is more galling is that the games are over 5 years away. Looks like another politician being economical with the truth.

In my business if I am given a price for a job, then that is what I expect to pay.

Having said that I am still excited about the event, and hope I shall still be around to attend.

What you got to understand is the security costs are going to come at a premium the land also for the games is very contaminated of course costs are going to rise just like they has for EVERY other games this side of the 70s I would assume!

 

[TrueBlue]

As a left-wing communist obviously I'd want it held in Cuba. Poland and Kenya are far too democratic for my tastes brother.

Then again somebody who takes stock in 'Pan's Labyrinth' as their signature then you MUST be living in a dream world!

 

[Xàbia Shrimper]

€15 for an afternoon at the badminton was great value and really enjoyable.

Sounds like hell to me ...

 

[TrueBlue]

Sounds like hell to me ...

BADminton :guns:

 

[MK Shrimper]

Then again somebody who takes stock in 'Pan's Labyrinth' as their signature then you MUST be living in a dream world!

Yes, it's an excellent film, I recommend it highly. Fascism, socialism, fauns, toads...something for everyone.