Olympic Torch (might offend)

[The Saint]

Made the special effort to get into the office early to see the torch come past and I wonder how may people feel like this....



The police made no effort to stop the protestor, which nice to see. The torch was on the front of the barge by the way.

Simon

[Wally]

Re: Olympic Torch (might offend)

About as subtle as a kick between the uprights but... I've heard more grumbles than I care to mention about money apparently being no object when it comes to a certain 'elite few' being treated better than royalty.

Now, here’s someone that perhaps deserves some special treatment. Quite inspirational by any stretch of the imagination. True Grit I reckon the guy should be given his own gold medal… what do you think?

[Wee man]

Re: Olympic Torch (might offend)

Or even a free ticket to an event of his choice...... I'll get my coat

[Zuiko]

Re: Olympic Torch (might offend)

I have a certain empathy with the protester in terms of how commercial and political the Games have become, but I wouldn't want to spoil things for many ordinary people who want to celebrate and enjoy the event - or for some of the remarkable people who have been honoured as torch-bearers. And good luck to all the athletes who have prepared so hard for many years to compete at this Olympics.

[The Saint]

Re: Olympic Torch (might offend)

I totally agree with you John, the over commercialisation of the Olympics as a money generating machine is not the spirit of the games.

I'm all for a peaceful protest and freedom to express ourselves, but that banner doesn't really make clear his objections are or provide anything constructive.

Simon

[sapper]

Re: Olympic Torch (might offend)

Sorry, I am disappointed, looking forward to being offended!

[Zuiko]

Re: Olympic Torch (might offend)

Sorry, I am disappointed, looking forward to being offended!

Yes, it's an obscenity that is so overused it has lost much of it's impact. Those who use it all the time, what do they say when they really want to express frustration, annoyance, contempt, increduality or surprise?

[Zuiko]

Re: Olympic Torch (might offend)

I totally agree with you John, the over commercialisation of the Olympics as a money generating machine is not the spirit of the games.

I'm all for a peaceful protest and freedom to express ourselves, but that banner doesn't really make clear his objections are or provide anything constructive.

Simon

Also in the wrong location. It would be far more effective in the foyer of the 5 star hotel being used by the IOC.

[Ulfric M Douglas]

Re: Olympic Torch (might offend)

It made me laugh!

Not offended neither ...

[sapper]

Re: Olympic Torch (might offend)

Does anyone know if the park can be visited without watching an event?

[Jim Ford]

Re: Olympic Torch (might offend)

I'm starting to feel deeply uneasy about it all!

FWIW, I saw this elsewhere:

"In 2007, the UN-funded Centre for Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE) released a report detailing the effects of the Olympics between 1988 and 2008. It concluded that the Olympic games, having evicted more then two million people in the past twenty years, are one of the top causes of displacement and real-estate inflation inCeasefire Magazine, The Olympics & Social Cleansing"

Also (from http://ceasefiremagazine.co.uk/olymp...-cleanse-city/)

"But the real gains for the rich can be witnessed in the long-term implications, once the crowds have gone home. Contrary to popular belief, the devastation inflicted on the poorest and historically marginalised communities is not simply an adverse side-effect, but goes to the very essence of why cities battle to host the Games.

...

The Olympics have always been utilised as a means to pursue what David Harvey calls ‘accumulation by dispossession,’ from visible policies of forced evictions to veiled ones such as gentrification. This violent process is intimately connected to reconfiguring the landscape for capital accumulation and, indeed, is a prime motivation for the very purpose of the Olympics itself. the world."

Jim

[The Saint]

Re: Olympic Torch (might offend)

David

Nothing is free at the olympics! I understand there is a £10 ticket to get into the grounds of the stadium complex at Stratford and a few of the other locations.

there are of course a few free to view events like the road cycling and running.


I noticed today there are a lot of paralympic tickets still available and nice and cheap. Really considering getting a couple to see the wheelchair basketball which sounds like an amesome spectacle and might get some field events more to see the stadium and atmosphere.

Simon

[jamie allan]

Re: Olympic Torch (might offend)

The Olympics are such a self glorification exercise for those select few who are at the centre of it - and the BBC are the chief cheerleaders. Cameron and Johnson telling us to park the cynicism whilst trying to bask in the corrupt glow of the money men who are the only real winners in this tawdry debacle. Spending £10B which could have been put to far better use creating jobs for our 16-24 year olds .
Has anyone read George Orwell's Animal Farm or 1984 - I think we are living it at present.

[Andrew Riddell]

Re: Olympic Torch (might offend)

Does anyone know if the park can be visited without watching an event?

Yes it can. For the Olympics you have to select a morning, afternoon or evening session, but for the Paralympics you can buy a day ticket. Seniors rates are available (not sure if relevant, Sapper!). The Orbit tower is an extra £15.

The snag is that you have to pay with a Visa card. I can't even find a way of paying cash or cheque, and I'm not inclined to go through the hassle of getting a Visa card just for this!.

Andrew

[sapper]

Re: Olympic Torch (might offend)

Yes it can. For the Olympics you have to select a morning, afternoon or evening session, but for the Paralympics you can buy a day ticket. Seniors rates are available (not sure if relevant, Sapper!). The Orbit tower is an extra £15.

The snag is that you have to pay with a Visa card. I can't even find a way of paying cash or cheque, and I'm not inclined to go through the hassle of getting a Visa card just for this!.

Andrew

Thanks for this Andrew, and Simon.
I did try to book tickets earlier on but no matter what combination of date/time, I got a message saying no tickets available.
I will try again, could be the site wasn't working correctly.