LONDON have it - 2012 Olympics - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

07/06/2005 02:24:32 PM · #10

Sometimes it's difficult to fully predict the net benefits, but this kind of achievement may have many underlying, not so obvious rewards. Yes, it may cost but sometimes it's worth taking risks to improve one's profile and facilities for the long term.

It is a fantastic boost to confidence generally, not least for the professional standing of our elequent bid team and professional approach to the design and support materials. Coming from behind and winning a tough battle is particularly satisfying. I know from experience how psychologically impactful winning (and losing) an expensive pitch can be, so I hope that this helps put some energy back into British sport and builds national confidence and identity.

07/06/2005 06:26:56 PM · #11

Originally posted by pawdrix:

Originally posted by Olyuzi:
From a New Yawka, you can have it. Glad to see it went to another city. Not sure I would want something like that in my town. Creates many problems for its citizens, including excessive traffic jams and an enormous debt that the people are left to pay off for many years to come. I don't think the people of London are going to reap any benefits.

Wow, how I agree with that one. I prayed that we didn't get it....and I'm not the slightest bit religious.

Seems like a big headache where only a few profit. I don't think I could have handled all the hype and expense and whatever else it brings.

But to you Londoners....I'm happy if you're happy.
Cheers and good luck.

I didn't want it either and have been accused of being a miserable bitch for my opinions.

It will bring in profits for some - the students on my course today were staff of a large UK construction company and were delighted, hoteliers and those in the hospitality, tourism and transport sectors will be pleased and other myriad related people who will do well off the back of this. For the rest of us we won't see benefits that justify in my mind the cost to taxpayers across the nation but will see increased traffic, increased building works and transport works, and likely spiralling costs that far exceed initial plans - anyone remember the Dome????

Matthew

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

07/06/2005 06:49:11 PM · #12

Originally posted by Kavey:

I am quite pleased - not that I think that you are miserable, Kavey!

There will be business benefits. Tourism is the world's largest industry. Getting a larger share of it is extremely beneficial for the economy as a whole.

Some businesses will fare better than others. I know that the benefits will not be distributed as fairly as the tax is taken (Londoners face a surplus on their local taxation for the next few years, but I think that it is supposed to be around £10 per head per year - not a life and death amount for most). The extra wealth has to go somewhere, and some of it will trickle into all of our coffers. At the very least, the goodwill should be significant. An area of London will be redeveloped (at relatively neutral cost). We will have access to better sporting facilities. The country (which, I believe, is not being taxed as a whole), should get a mental boost.

The downside, the disruption, will be there for most for a few weeks. That should be outweighed by the convenience of a leading world event being on our respective doorsteps.

I really did not think that we would get it, but now that we have, I am quite excited already!

The dome, I think, was quite different and still might become a success - it was the millennium exhibition there, more than the structure, that was a flop.

Buck up!

Riponlady

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

07/06/2005 06:52:49 PM · #13

It may not be financially helpful for us but the morale boost to sport will be invaluable to the country. `My youngsters todaynb at school were thrilled and saying n]maybe they would be competing in it.

The infrastructure left afterwards and improvement in transport has got to be good and worth the hassle.
The dome was always a disaster as it wwas only ever going to be up for a year and then dismantled. We should be left with some useful arenas after.

Hopefully there will be a careful plan so this won't be a drain on the country and anyway it's got tobe better than using our money to fight in wars. At last something positive that we are doing ( and we beat the French HEE Hee hee!)

My daughter was training with the 2000 O;ympics in mind and was then injured and had to give up athletics, Her comment was "At least I can go to the Olympics in London. I knew I'd get there someday"
:):):)

P

lentil

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

07/06/2005 06:53:20 PM · #14

WAY TO GO LONDON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

07/06/2005 06:54:18 PM · #15

Originally posted by legalbeagle:

Londoners face a surplus on their local taxation for the next few years, but I think that it is supposed to be around £10 per head per year - not a life and death amount for most

If that £10 a year were to be used to help improve services to help the elderly, the homeless or the mentally disabled in London I'd be happy to pay it. Our care of these groups seems to get worse as time goes by... "care in the community", my arse, all that means is "if you want care, let's hope some nice person will help coz the government ain't gonna".

£10 a year (which will likely turn into more) for something that will mainly benefit only certain sectors and really won't benefit the rest of the country I ain't so keen on.

Don't get me wrong, I won't be bothering to waste breath bitching about it - what's done is done - and I'll certainly hope that, having won the bid, we make a good job of it... but I really ain't thrilled about winning it in the first place.

Message edited by author 2005-07-06 18:54:51.

Riponlady

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

07/06/2005 07:02:38 PM · #16

Originally posted by legalbeagle:

That should be outweighed by the convenience of a leading world event being on our respective doorsteps.

Matthew I'm booking your spare bedroom for July 2012!
:)
P

Imagineer

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

07/06/2005 07:05:40 PM · #17

Originally posted by Kavey:

For the rest of us we won't see benefits that justify in my mind the cost to taxpayers across the nation but will see increased traffic, increased building works and transport works, and likely spiralling costs that far exceed initial plans - anyone remember the Dome????

The Dome is just no comparison here. This is going to give a whole generation inspiration to star in their own Worldwide sporting event like no other - not just visit a hub cap in Greenwich for a one-off celebration.

Sometimes you've got to think big to get big results - and I just don't see enough negatives. Yes, we could build 3-4 new hospitals and improve other areas of London, etc. - but there's no incentive like world focus to shove the process on and make Britain a showcase for what it should be. Hospitals are full of obese, couch potatoes anyway (not exlusively obviously!), so rather than build more hospitals to cater for them why not inspire people to prevent the problem rather than cure it?

I think it will give us a chance to fix many of the niggles in London's infrastructure in the process and hopefully address the tiresome, damaging, self-depracating attitude that some Brits seem to be born with.

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

07/06/2005 07:20:55 PM · #18

Originally posted by Imagineer:

Originally posted by Kavey:
For the rest of us we won't see benefits that justify in my mind the cost to taxpayers across the nation but will see increased traffic, increased building works and transport works, and likely spiralling costs that far exceed initial plans - anyone remember the Dome????

The Dome is just no comparison here.

I disagree. The dome was touted as something that would give the country pride, encourage us to think modern and bold and blah blah blah. It ended up a little different.

I don't think the Olympics will turn out that way but I do think the works will cost a lot more than quoted.

Originally posted by Imagineer:

This is going to give a whole generation inspiration to star in their own Worldwide sporting event like no other - not just visit a hub cap in Greenwich for a one-off celebration.

Very nice. Big clap. Seriously, as sporting goes, I agree this will be an immense boost to how it's seen as a career path in the UK. I just don't think that's a particularly important priority in life but... that's just my opinion.

Originally posted by Imagineer:

I think it will give us a chance to fix many of the niggles in London's infrastructure in the process and hopefully address the tiresome, damaging, self-depracating attitude that some Brits seem to be born with.

Those that didn't/ don't think winning this bid is the bees knees don't all ahve damaging, self-deprecating attitudes at all, thank you very much. I certainly don't.

I'm a very positive person with a LOT of enthusiasm about a whole lot of differrent things and I'm certainly not self-deprecating about our nation. I'm proud to be British.

I don't happen to think sport is a hugely high priority thing, though I understand the health benefits and entertainment value. I also don't think the benefits of hosting hte games will be that great.

Let's just agree to disagree ... perhaps WITHOUT implying that those who do disagree with you have attitudes that are damaging, tiresome blah blah blah.

Message edited by author 2005-07-06 19:21:52.

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

07/06/2005 07:46:45 PM · #19

I would like to congratulate LONDON for being picked as the 2012 Olympics. Believe me it is a wonderful sight to see. I live in Georgia [USA] and Atlanta hosted the 1996 Olympics. All I can say is amazing, beautiful, wonderful people from around the world, and the new building that will be constructed will be nice. Enjoy and have fun.

e301

07/06/2005 07:48:17 PM · #20

Heard the news at an airport. Living only five minutes walk from the site of the main stadium should make for an interesting seven years, I think.

bod

07/06/2005 07:53:10 PM · #21

Anyone would think that it was accountants and not athletes that take part in the games.

ButterflySis

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

07/06/2005 08:43:24 PM · #22

I'm happy that London was chosen. Congrats!

Imagineer

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

07/07/2005 04:17:50 AM · #23

Originally posted by Kavey:

Let's just agree to disagree ... perhaps WITHOUT implying that those who do disagree with you have attitudes that are damaging, tiresome blah blah blah.

Blimey! I'd say you're a bit paranoid here K! This was a comment aimed at the many [tedious] Brits who notoriously have this attitude - just ask any Australian - so I don't know why you thought I'd aimed it at you given your zest for life, nature and up-beat approach to most things.

For what it's worth, I think the Dome was an attempt to build something of a unified spirit without much substance. The Olympics will achieve 100 fold what the Dome project may have set out to do.

Edit: I don't think 'opf' is a word is it?

Message edited by author 2005-07-07 04:18:43.