On 24 August 2008 in London there is to be a free party for 40,000 people in front of Buckingham Palace, and a larger event in Beijing.
The party and Beijing event is to mark the moment when London officially takes over from Beijing as Olympic host city. The handover will form part of the Beijing closing ceremony.
There will be three dance groups involved in London's segment, and a London bus will enter the Beijing arena carrying David Beckham and X-Factor winner Leona Lewis.
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, will be in Beijing where he will receive the Olympic flag.
The one bright spot in the 2012 Games is the fact that London now has a mayor who might actually be able to trim the costs of this juggernaut.
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Boris Looks To The Legacy
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has given an interview to The Independent in which he outlines his determination to cut back on the costs of the 2012 London Olympics, and to ensure that there will be a lasting legacy.
Quote:
"We are looking at ways of saving.
Everybody is worried we are going to waste squillions on projects that are going to have no lasting benefit for east London. That is why I want to make sure that there is a proper legacy. I'll be using my position on the Olympic Board to make sure that we deliver value for money not only for London, but the whole country.
We are going to see some action. We need a master plan and we must get our skates on. While we pour all this money into an Olympic stadium, aquatic centre, media centre and all the rest, we've got to think:
'What's it going to be in five years' time?'
We don't want to sink billions into east London without a long-term benefit, and keeping a cap on the costs. Regeneration is wonderful but the Olympics are about sport."
I hope that he and Kate Hoey, his appointment as Commissioner for Sport, can make a genuine impact on the Olympics budget and legacy.
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Quote:
"We are looking at ways of saving.
Everybody is worried we are going to waste squillions on projects that are going to have no lasting benefit for east London. That is why I want to make sure that there is a proper legacy. I'll be using my position on the Olympic Board to make sure that we deliver value for money not only for London, but the whole country.
We are going to see some action. We need a master plan and we must get our skates on. While we pour all this money into an Olympic stadium, aquatic centre, media centre and all the rest, we've got to think:
'What's it going to be in five years' time?'
We don't want to sink billions into east London without a long-term benefit, and keeping a cap on the costs. Regeneration is wonderful but the Olympics are about sport."
I hope that he and Kate Hoey, his appointment as Commissioner for Sport, can make a genuine impact on the Olympics budget and legacy.
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
China Bans Fireworks
China has announced a ban on all fireworks in Beijing leading up to and during the Olympics, for safety reasons.
The firework ban will last from July 1 to October 8. The games begin on August 8.
The sale of firecrackers will also be banned, and all stocks will be stored in warehouses specially designated by the city's safety officials.
However, it is unlikely that the ban will apply to the opening and clsoing ceremonies of the games.
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
The firework ban will last from July 1 to October 8. The games begin on August 8.
The sale of firecrackers will also be banned, and all stocks will be stored in warehouses specially designated by the city's safety officials.
However, it is unlikely that the ban will apply to the opening and clsoing ceremonies of the games.
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Monday, June 9, 2008
The Olympics Juggernaut
Manor Garden allotments have been destroyed in order to make way for the London 2012 Olympics.
These allotments were a philanthropic gift, supporting 150 families in the East End of London. Given the rocketing price of food they would have helped eek out many families hard pressed budgets.
Nothing stands in the way of the Olympics juggernaut!
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
These allotments were a philanthropic gift, supporting 150 families in the East End of London. Given the rocketing price of food they would have helped eek out many families hard pressed budgets.
Nothing stands in the way of the Olympics juggernaut!
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Friday, June 6, 2008
Free Swimming For Over 60s
Swimming pools will be free for the over 60s, as part of the government's plans to boost the UK's fitness in time for the 2012 Olympics in London.
As part of its Olympic programme, the government wants to make 2 million people more active by the time the games start in July 2012.
I will believe that when I see it!
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
As part of its Olympic programme, the government wants to make 2 million people more active by the time the games start in July 2012.
I will believe that when I see it!
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Lack of Support For London Games
The BBC conducted a survey in April that showed that 60% of Londoners felt that the 2012 games would bring no real benefit to London.
Ex-Athens mayor Dora Bakoyannis has now pitched in, and said that Londoners need to "endorse" the games.
She is quoted on the BBC:
"You need the big support of the people in this city.
You need the big support of the people in this city."
Ms Bakoyannis, who is now Greece's foreign minister, also said:
"They have to be proud of London, they have to be ambitious.
You can do nothing alone."
Maybe so, but even though the residents of Athens ended up supporting the gamnes in 2004 they were still saddled with an enormous bill that will take decades to pay off, and derelict stadiums and venues that are of no use to man nor beast.
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Ex-Athens mayor Dora Bakoyannis has now pitched in, and said that Londoners need to "endorse" the games.
She is quoted on the BBC:
"You need the big support of the people in this city.
You need the big support of the people in this city."
Ms Bakoyannis, who is now Greece's foreign minister, also said:
"They have to be proud of London, they have to be ambitious.
You can do nothing alone."
Maybe so, but even though the residents of Athens ended up supporting the gamnes in 2004 they were still saddled with an enormous bill that will take decades to pay off, and derelict stadiums and venues that are of no use to man nor beast.
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Mugabe Style Land Grab
The plans for the "popular" and "well organised" London Olympics are causing more problems for those in the path of the Olympics juggernaut.
The 350 firms which were forced to move out of East London, so that the 2012 Olympic Park could be built, have yet to be paid their full compensation.
HMM, a newspaper wrapping and delivery firm that was served a CPO (compulsory purchase order), is preparing to take the London Delivery Authority (LDA) to court.
Ivor Gershfield, HMM's chief executive, is quoted in the Telegraph:
"I assumed that our business would be able to carry on where it left off. That is the idea of a CPO.
What happened was a Mugabe-style theft of our land. We were given assurances that they broke."
Seamus Gannon, who runs concrete recycling company Bedrock Crushing, is taking his case to a tribunal.
"I'm not frightened to speak out because I'm getting screwed anyway. They bulldozed me. The way they dealt with me was to say 'Here's an offer and that's it'."
Mr Gannon said that he spent £180K on clearing his site in Marshgate Lane and moving, but the LDA paid only £75K in compensation.
Nothing as inconvenient as people's livelihoods will stop the Olympics juggernaut!
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
The 350 firms which were forced to move out of East London, so that the 2012 Olympic Park could be built, have yet to be paid their full compensation.
HMM, a newspaper wrapping and delivery firm that was served a CPO (compulsory purchase order), is preparing to take the London Delivery Authority (LDA) to court.
Ivor Gershfield, HMM's chief executive, is quoted in the Telegraph:
"I assumed that our business would be able to carry on where it left off. That is the idea of a CPO.
What happened was a Mugabe-style theft of our land. We were given assurances that they broke."
Seamus Gannon, who runs concrete recycling company Bedrock Crushing, is taking his case to a tribunal.
"I'm not frightened to speak out because I'm getting screwed anyway. They bulldozed me. The way they dealt with me was to say 'Here's an offer and that's it'."
Mr Gannon said that he spent £180K on clearing his site in Marshgate Lane and moving, but the LDA paid only £75K in compensation.
Nothing as inconvenient as people's livelihoods will stop the Olympics juggernaut!
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Monday, June 2, 2008
The Legacy - A Warning
Much is made by the London Olympics organisers of the so called "legacy" of the Games. They assure us that the £12BN of our money that is currently budgeted to be spent on these games will give rise to a legacy that will last, and benefit the people of London.
They should take heed as to what has happened to the "legacy" of the Athens Games of 2004.
The buildings constructed for the Athens Olympics (cost £9BN) are fly blown, closed to the public and covered in graffiti.
21 of the 22 Olympic venues are in disrepair, and are under guard to prevent vandalism.
Greece's legacy of the games is a national budget deficit of 6.1%, more than twice the maximum allowed under European Union rules.
Greece has found that the games were a complete waste of time and money.
Let us trust that the London organisers take heed.
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
They should take heed as to what has happened to the "legacy" of the Athens Games of 2004.
The buildings constructed for the Athens Olympics (cost £9BN) are fly blown, closed to the public and covered in graffiti.
21 of the 22 Olympic venues are in disrepair, and are under guard to prevent vandalism.
Greece's legacy of the games is a national budget deficit of 6.1%, more than twice the maximum allowed under European Union rules.
Greece has found that the games were a complete waste of time and money.
Let us trust that the London organisers take heed.
Don't forget to visit www.theolympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
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