The Gold, Silver and Bronze pro-Olympics Thread

[Flosshilde]

But that of course should be provided by the State or Local Authority; all the athlete needs to bring to the party, at least in his early years, should be his/her “togs”....

My second point: how does the nation progress from this point, assuming the Olympics with all its success for Team GB has generated a large feel-good factor in the rest of the population?
... there has to be a lot more investment in swimming pools, running tracks, gyms, coaching staff, sports advisors, etc, etc. Certainly this is a good way to generate some cohesiveness between the various ethnic groups, and gives individuals the opportunity to optimise their potential.

Well, of course it should be provided by local authorities, but the PM says one thing & does another. Investment? If it happens it will be directed at producing medal winners - ie targeted at those already highly telented.

As for this much vaunted 'feel-good factor' - it might exist for a couple of weeks, but it will evaporate as quickly as the morning dew. During Wimbledon fortnight & for a couple of weeks after tennis courts are full of people; where do they go for the rest of the year?

[gurnemanz]

Well, of course it should be provided by local authorities, but the PM says one thing & does another. Investment? If it happens it will be directed at producing medal winners - ie targeted at those already highly telented.

As for this much vaunted 'feel-good factor' - it might exist for a couple of weeks, but it will evaporate as quickly as the morning dew. During Wimbledon fortnight & for a couple of weeks after tennis courts are full of people; where do they go for the rest of the year?

I'm loving the Olympics but would never use the ghastly phrase "feel-good factor". However, most people would probably agree that feeling good is preferable to feeling bad even if gloomy predictions are accurate and the feeling is short-lived. Pessimism is not essential: 20 years ago Barcelona managed to transform itself as a result of the Olympics.

[Lateralthinking1]

Blimmin' upsetting only to manage 33 (silver) in the Google basketball - and now they are on to kayaks. What did it take to get the first ball into that net and what was the minimum score for a gold?

[scottycelt]

I'm loving the Olympics but would never use the ghastly phrase "feel-good factor". However, most people would probably agree that feeling good is preferable to feeling bad even if gloomy predictions are accurate and the feeling is short-lived. Pessimism is not essential: 20 years ago Barcelona managed to transform itself as a result of the Olympics.

That is the factual view based on the evidence of physical eyesight rather than petty politics and dodgy statistics. The transformation of the east end of London is startling and impressive. Smiling is infectious and 'normal' people love to get the chance to experience the condition despite the constant attempts by pop-up politicians and parts of the UK media desperately trying to remind them of the miserable side of reality.

Recently I was in my home city of Glasgow and was astonished and delighted at the renovation and revitalisation of parts of the inner city in preparation of the Commonwealth Games in 2014. Already, it is reported that demand for tickets for that event has soared due to the current enthusiasm and pride which has currently struck the nation, thanks to London. The Commonwealth Games also had a huge effect in transforming Manchester into an attractively vibrant and cosmopolitan city.

Let the 'miseries' sulk away in their abject, albeit temporary, defeat.. They should take comfort that they will have plenty of opportunities in the future to return the nation to misery and a widespread feeling of doom and gloom, and then they at least can be happy again.

As for the rest of us, all we would like is to smile away for just a few days longer yet ... we are thoroughly enjoying our little break from misery!

[handsomefortune]

is that post 'gold, silver, or bronze' scotty?

[scottycelt]

is that post 'gold, silver, or bronze' scotty?

It's more like a 'glass' post, handsome ... like it appears to be 'half-full' rather than 'half-empty'.

[Flosshilde]

despite the constant attempts by pop-up politicians and parts of the UK media desperately trying to remind them of the miserable side of reality.

Which parts of the media are those, Scotty? Even the Guardian, which you might think would be at the forefront of those wanting to remind us "of the miserable side of reality" has gone so overboard with Limpics coverage that it's non-Olympics UK news coverage is reduced to about two pages.

Recently I was in my home city of Glasgow and was astonished and delighted at the renovation and revitalisation of parts of the inner city in preparation of the Commonwealth Games in 2014. The Commonwealth Games also had a huge effect in transforming Manchester into an attractively vibrant and cosmopolitan city.

Noy sure that I've noticed any renovation in central Glasgow? A few pot-holes were filled in in roads around Hampden for the Olympic football. Reliable research has shown that the Commonwealth games had no discernable long-term impact on Manchester. I'll try & find references for you.



A bit of sunshine has far more impact in improving the mood round here.

[JohnSkelton]

That is the factual view based on the evidence of physical eyesight rather than petty politics and dodgy statistics. The transformation of the east end of London is startling and impressive. Smiling is infectious and 'normal' people love to get the chance to experience the condition despite the constant attempts by pop-up politicians and parts of the UK media desperately trying to remind them of the miserable side of reality.!

http://www.art-galerie-shop.de/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/p/l/pl110.jpg

http://gamesmonitor.org.uk/

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CE4QFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gamesmonitor.org.uk%2Ffiles%2FLondon%2520Olympics%2520Myths%2520pt%25202.doc&ei=6IojUNjlGeXK0QXHr4DwCw&usg=AFQjCNEg33mMlMQ3TxMH7iOHjF81HCuvew&sig2=Q_jSDoAD3FwGQwMns4yrlg

[Flosshilde]

http://www.art-galerie-shop.de/media.../p/l/pl110.jpg

http://gamesmonitor.org.uk/
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct...3FwGQwMns4yrlg

[scottycelt]

Noy sure that I've noticed any renovation in central Glasgow? A few pot-holes were filled in in roads around Hampden for the Olympic football. Reliable research has shown that the Commonwealth games had no discernable long-term impact on Manchester. I'll try & find references for you..

Have you had a stroll down the Clyde Walkway recently, Flossie? ... and the east end of the city near Celtic Park where the opening ceremony is beng held is being completely transformed ... I'm sure there will be more improvements within the next two years.

No need to bother with references about Manchester. I've known the city very well for many years now and saw the preparations and effect of holding the Commonwealth Games with my own eyes.

Not all improvements to the city were down to the Games, of course, but it certainly was a factor and a major boost to the city's image and self-confidence.

As for the media, all the pre-Olympics talk was about the security setback, then too many soldiers on the streets, tourists staying away, Underground grinding to a halt, Heathrow in chaos. None of the disasters predicted by the 'miseries' and the media have so far come to pass.

At least the media eventually realised the way the wind was blowing regarding public opinion and quickly jumped on board the positive and enthusiastic bandwagon ... yes, even The Guardian!

[Anna]

I've been away since Friday in an internet free zone, but luckily not an Olympic free zone and there's a lot of posts for me to read through. However, I have never watched so much sport in such a short time and I'm loving it - every minute of it!! I can only speak for myself and where I am, a fairly rural Welsh community, and it has been the only topic of conversation, we've cheered (and cried) over every British competitor whether they've been Scottish, Irish, Welsh or English, we've rejoiced when the small nations such as Grenada and Dominica got medals but the overwhelming feeling has been an immense pride in belonging to Great Britain and what a wonderful show we're putting on and, as scotty says, none of the disasters predicted has so far materialised - of course they might well happen, there's still time!!

The Press can big-up the feel good factor but down by here it's what we feel. The problem of course is maintaining it and when the Games are over .......... well it'll be just like the day after Boxing Day won't it and we'll all get really grumpy and back to normal but for now, I aim to enjoy the last few days

[Don Petter]

I suspect many are getting sated with the incessant coverage. I noticed in both restaurants and pubs in the last few days that the TV screens were playing away, but, when you looked around, no-one was actually looking at them.

[Anna]

I haven't watched every sport of course, boxing, wrestling, taekwondo, bmx, the various ball games have no interest for me. I have been glued to rowing, cycling and surprisingly equestrian (how do they teach the horses?) plus the running. I am also looking forward to the closing ceremony, I just hope it's not too boy band top heavy. Edit: Gold for GB womens boxing - I do not agree with this being included in Olympics, or mens boxing, it's horrid. However, I shall go offline and look forward to seeing Usain Bolt As someone said 'Triathlon is Hardcore!

[Old Grumpy]

I noticed in both restaurants and pubs in the last few days that the TV screens were playing away

Interesting concept...

televisual adultery?

[Old Grumpy]

Even the Guardian, which you might think would be at the forefront of those wanting to remind us "of the miserable side of reality" has gone so overboard with Limpics coverage that it's non-Olympics UK news coverage is reduced to about two pages.

And every article started on the front page is continued on page 22 or similar