[AdamFenton]

As with many things, I do not have an opinion on this, I am looking forward to the Olympics in fact. However, some think that the whole celebration factor is a bit over board. This is the thread to express your ideas on this! So, express away!

[Manitude]

It might never return to the UK in my lifetime, so I think it's justified to go 'over the top' on celebrating such a massive event.

[Juichiro]

The Olympics as we know them today are one of the world's most expensive (and money-making) events probably only behind wars.

[Peel]

Agreed with the above. Besides, I think it's quite nice the nation wants to come together like this!

[petzneo]

(Original post by Manitude)
It might never return to the UK in my lifetime, so I think it's justified to go 'over the top' on celebrating such a massive event.

Agree with this!

[Drewski]

(Original post by AdamFenton)
As with many things, I do not have an opinion on this

Christ, how boring must you be?

It's something that hasn't happened since 1948 and almost definitely won't happen again in our lifetimes. It's something that a lot of people deeply enjoy and are passionate about, who is any cynic to say whether or not those people enjoying it are doing it wrong or right?

[timeofflight]

I am very excited! I cannot see how we could go over the top with this to be honest. It is a once in a lifetime experience and I am going to enjoy every second of it.

[ForensicShoe]

Once in a lifetime (most probably).
One opportunity to celebrate it.

[Studentus-anonymous]

Political propaganda and grandstanding, but for what?

To celebrate a group of people (Olympic athletes) who by and large seem to be singularly driven by an obsession to 'win' beyond other considerations which makes them appear aloof, greedy, selfish and obsessed with nothing else but their own success.

Not a bank of character traits I think we should particularly be praising and showing off to the youth of the country tbh. I'd say they are great ambassadors for fitness but then rampant substance abuse isn't really worth it.

Then there is the preparations for the Olympics in a time of economic hardship, like the 'zil' lanes for Olympic officials and athletes, lol. Soviet Union lives on.

And all those Olympic venues and construction jobs that will fall into disuse after the event. Rampant commercialization of the event (obviously), and high expenditure at the public's expense. Still, good for tourism in London... Until the Olympics are finished and we're left to pick up the tab and clean-up.


Sorry, maybe this is one area where I become a curmudgeonly old man but I think a mature reasonable country shouldn't really be chasing after Olympic glory as if it is somehow any way a measure of national value.


Every Olympic event just reminds me of the Berlin Games back in 1936 (where the torch tradition started btw), less about anything really noble in the human spirit and celebration and more as a stage for propaganda. Not overtly political but it's always there.

Plus if countries like The People's Republic of China can host the event then like the Bahrain Grand Prix it basically condones immoral government.

[gladders]

As somebody who enjoyed the Jubilee, I'd be a massive hypocrite if I grumbled about the Olympics. As it happens I am looking forward to it, although I detest the enormous commercialism.

[No Man]

No.
It gives a rare opportunity for a city/nation to show the world what it's all about (putting the sports events aside).

[Myotherone]

When our country is struggling it is amazing how we can spend money that we don't have on an event we didn't need to have

[AdamFenton]

(Original post by Myotherone)
When our country is struggling it is amazing how we can spend money that we don't have on an event we didn't need to have

When I said I didn't have an opinion, this is exactly what I meant.

[moonkatt]

OP, I'm really glad you put the word discussion in caps next to the thread title, otherwise I wouldn't have known it was a discussion you were trying to start here on this discussion board.

As for the Olympics, well, I was sick of hearing about them this time last year, the metro was one of the worst for going on about it so much.

[Ano1]

(Original post by Studentus-anonymous)
Political propaganda and grandstanding, but for what?

To celebrate a group of people (Olympic athletes) who by and large seem to be singularly driven by an obsession to 'win' beyond other considerations which makes them appear aloof, greedy, selfish and obsessed with nothing else but their own success.

Not a bank of character traits I think we should particularly be praising and showing off to the youth of the country tbh. I'd say they are great ambassadors for fitness but then rampant substance abuse isn't really worth it.

Then there is the preparations for the Olympics in a time of economic hardship, like the 'zil' lanes for Olympic officials and athletes, lol. Soviet Union lives on.

And all those Olympic venues and construction jobs that will fall into disuse after the event. Rampant commercialization of the event (obviously), and high expenditure at the public's expense. Still, good for tourism in London... Until the Olympics are finished and we're left to pick up the tab and clean-up.


Sorry, maybe this is one area where I become a curmudgeonly old man but I think a mature reasonable country shouldn't really be chasing after Olympic glory as if it is somehow any way a measure of national value.


Every Olympic event just reminds me of the Berlin Games back in 1936 (where the torch tradition started btw), less about anything really noble in the human spirit and celebration and more as a stage for propaganda. Not overtly political but it's always there.

Plus if countries like The People's Republic of China can host the event then like the Bahrain Grand Prix it basically condones immoral government.

I stopped reading after this.

[chrisawhitmore]

(Original post by No Man)
No.
It gives a rare opportunity for a city/nation to show the world what it's all about (putting the sports events aside).

So London in particular and the UK in general are about wasting billions on celebrating the ability to run fast or throw things a great distance while research with the potential to save thousands of lives or help stop climate change goes without funding.

It might not be best to show the world that. Might come across as a bit short-sighted and cruel.

[AdamFenton]

I'm looking forward to the events themselves, don't misjudge me on that front. Its the idillic country propaganda that may be involved coupled with the intense obsession to carry a flaming torch. 1000's flocking to a single spot in the country and for what? A celebrity that few have ever heard of carry a stick on fire. Forgive me, but the Olympic celebrations in regards to that, in my opinion seem a little over rated.

[AdamFenton]

[QUOTE=moonkatt;38516910]OP, I'm really glad you put the word discussion in caps next to the thread title, otherwise I wouldn't have known it was a discussion you were trying to start here on this discussion board.

Okay, no need to be sarcastic. I was just asking people's opinions.

[AdamFenton]

Still on the subject of the Olympics but to move away from people being targeted from their views, what do you guys think of the missiles on the roofs for the olympics ? This is an extract from the BBC article:

"Residents have lost their High Court battle to prevent surface-to-air missiles being stationed on the roof of their tower block during the Olympics.

They had said having them on Fred Wigg Tower in Leytonstone, east London, would make them a terrorist target."

Here's the rest of it :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18778723

[chickenonsteroids]

No not really. I don't see how it's too much or maybe I'm not seeing enough near me to understand what you're talking about.