Three Towns Forum
Members' Lounge => Politics & Current Affairs => Topic started by: Fester on July 18, 2012, 01:24:43 am
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I keep watching incredulously as the Olympic security debacle unfolds.
The Olympics is meant to be a showpiece for the nation, but we are in danger of being 'shown up' instead.
To me, it is entirely symptomatic of the appalling mismanagement we see day-in, day-out in this country.
recently we have witnessed Barclays, Nat West and other major institutions in melt down mode.
When Ratner's jewellers shot themselves in the foot as badly as G4S have just done, they paid the price by their shares falling to ZERO, and going out of business completely.
G4S have entirely screwed up, but G4S shares have only fallen 20% in value thus far.
Maybe the government has a stake in them??
I was amazed to see an interview with the CEO of G4S on 27th June, in which he said that his company had ''over achieved'' in their quest to have 15,500 trained staff for the games, as they already had 18,000 full trained, and others nearing it.
Yet, only 4 days later, he admitted that G4S had only 5,800 staff ready, and could only reach 6,400 by the opening of the games.
Its crass incompetence, bordering on the criminal.... and has obviously not been monitored by the Olympic organisers.
But, to be fair, they only had SEVEN YEARS to get these plans delivered!!
Its a major embarrassment, but I for one, was not surprised in the least. &shake& &shake& &shake&
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A large number of those people involved and were due to take up the Olympic security roles were vetted, would have got their CRB checks and training over 6 months ago and asked to sit around with these new qualifications and wait for 3 weeks work in July and August. I wonder how many other security firms will have actually increased their staff numbers in the last six months and benefited from that vetting and training. I think it's likely that enough people were trained it's just possible that not enough people are still in a position to take up the roles they were trained for because they now have other jobs.
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Me thinks that we need a "Special" OLYMPIC thread as we could possibly fill it ten times over! How about it Admin? $walesflag$
Can we also have an Olympic Flag smiley or might we be sued by the Olympic organisation for infringement of their silly rules and regulations? :rage:
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The Olympic rings are a no go-- if we have a flag.
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I guess we could use the Olympic Rings but not joined together could be deemed alright and certainly more appropriate in current times.
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I think the whole thing is a total waste of money, an utter farce, what with the ticket sales fiasco and no matter what goes wrong Lord Coe comes on the telly saying it's all ok _))*. He should work for G4S! Looks like they will have to fill the football stadiums with a cardboard cutout crowd! :laugh:
I would laugh at it but we'll all be paying for it! :rage:
Should be under Olympics thread!
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I thought there was a certain irony during the Select Committee hearing when a politician asked the G4S man "Is that a Yes or a No?"
When was the last time you heard a politician answer Yes or No to a question?
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My reply earlier which somehow ended up under the National Pride thread?
I think the whole thing is a total waste of money, an utter farce, what with the ticket sales fiasco and no matter what goes wrong Lord Coe comes on the telly saying it's all ok _))* He should work for G4S! Looks like they will have to fill the football stadiums with a cardboard cutout crowd! :laugh:
I would laugh at it but we'll all be paying for it! :rage:
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I'm desperately trying to find a holiday so that I miss the whole dang show! :rage:
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3 weeks in Llandudno should do it! $walesflag$
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Another aspect to this fiasco is the ticketing availability.
What I'm getting at is, it was made VERY clear many months ago that tickets for all major events were completely over suribed, and impossible to obtain.
There was an outcry, remember? When people realised that this 'once in a lifetime event' was likely to bypass the common man, and be the plaything of the corporate entertainment brigade and foreign dignitaries. The rest of us could watch it on the telly.
Well, being resigned to this, I obviously planned my summer accordingly, (work mainly) and told Mrs Fester that we could not see the Olympics in the flesh, so to speak.
But now, I hear there are a further 200,000 tickets going sale... at incredibly short notice, including for the Opening Ceremony?? What the hell is going on?
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What the hell is going on?
The whole fiasco is being run by a load of Dunderheads & Co(e) Unlimited useless nincompoops! WWW
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_))*
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I am sick to death of hearing about the Olympics, I have been left with no interest whatsoever. I am tired of hearing how this event is going to bring in revenue for the country. It's absolute b*llocks as far as I'm concerned. Since we won the votes for the Olympics countless millions of tax payers money including my own have been ploughed into this utter farce. Hospitals, schools, libraries, Police, the elderly, our children's playgrounds and just about all other public services and amenities have been affected. They can blame the shortfall on whatever they like but to me it's obvious, we couldn't and still can't as a country afford this glorified world sports day. I tell you what if this event is going to amass millions of pounds in revenue for our nation then I suppose after the Olympics all the above services will be reinstated will they? Well I can say with absolute conviction that NO they won't be. I can also say that this is just another way of ensuring our money is channelled solely into the coffers of greedy business owners and individuals.
Ordinary people are being evicted from their homes so greedy landlords can cash in on visitors and so and quite rightly due to greed again people would rather stay in France...Mcdonalds and Coca effing Cola have monopolised on advertising so no other local businesses to London can cash in, Makes me sick it really does!!! >?>??
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I agree completely! Greece is still paying for it! I never saw the logic in each country paying a fortune building running tracks etc every 4 years? I think it shoud have stayed in Greece where it started, they have a purpose built set up, the money coming in would help them and the Euro too! As a bonus we would not have to have spent a penny on it, saving us millions and G4S would not look such a bunch of d1ckheads :D
I also hope that my programmes on the telly will not get cancelled as a result, it was bad enough with Eurobore ball kicking a few weeks ago! :rage:
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I agree completely! Greece is still paying for it! I never saw the logic in each country paying a fortune building running tracks etc every 4 years? I think it shoud have stayed in Greece where it started, etc. etc. (edited)
So you wont be watching the Beach Volleyball then???? _))*
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I won't be watching any of it, I prefer watching paint dry to sport! ;D
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Beach volleyball - Will it be on Llandudno beach????? (on the "large" pebbles) - maybe not - HSE wouldnt allow it.
I think Ill watch paint dry too!!!! ;D
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G4s - arent they the ones that "lost" some of their wards a few years ago???
Why are we sub-contracting our security out to private firms & not calling in all our army troops to take care of our security this like other countries do? They are more than able.
It would save the country loads of money, & also bring a lot of our troops back home where they would probably be safer than where they are currently posted. --------------------------------------------------- Or is this too heavy a subject to be posting???
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I won't be watching any of it, I prefer watching paint dry to sport! ;D
+1
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G4s - arent they the ones that "lost" some of their wards a few years ago???
Why are we sub-contracting our security out to private firms & not calling in all our army troops to take care of our security this like other countries do? (Part edited)
--------------------------------------------------- Or is this too heavy a subject to be posting???
Personally I would start looking for connections and wheels within wheels if you get the drift! ;)
Who built the first Motorway? Ah! I remember . . . . . . . ZXZ
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This might be a stupid question but was G4S once the same company as Group 4 Security? and is it right that it's a MP or similar that owns the company?
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G4S plc (formerly Group 4 Securicor) is a British multinational security services company headquartered in Crawley, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest security company measured by revenues and has operations in more than 125 countries. With over 657,000 employees, it is the world's third-largest private sector employer (after Wal-Mart Stores and Foxconn).
G4S has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. It has a secondary listing on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange.
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Thanks SDQ $good$
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http://www.g4s.com/~/media/Files/Annual%20Reports/g4s_annualreport_2011.ashx (http://www.g4s.com/~/media/Files/Annual%20Reports/g4s_annualreport_2011.ashx)
See Page 49
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Were you thinking of Lord Condon Pen?
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Other than the major sponsors (MacDonalds, Coca Cola etc) ... and of course G4S, I can't see any businesses benefiting from the Olympic games.
After a terrible year for weather, the economy needed a busy July and August to save many tourist businesses from closure.
Instead, many millions will stay at home in front of the telly.
I know how quiet my business was during the last World Cup, and the Euro Football tournament.
On the Saturday when Andy Murray played in the Wimbledon final, I might as well have not bothered opening.
Many other local traders agreed with me.
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Sorry Fester, the Wimbledon mens' final was on a Sunday, it was the Ladies' on the Saturday.
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Sorry Fester, the Wimbledon mens' final was on a Sunday, it was the Ladies' on the Saturday.
Not sure I would have bothered pulling anyone up about that Stan, but yes, I apologise, it was indeed the Sunday.
The detail was less relevant than the point I was trying to make.
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You've had your bell rung Fester, don't do it again! ;D
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Sorry Fester, I didn't mean to be "picky", honest!!
Won't do it again.
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Ha ha .... GOOD!
Don't make me climb up that bell-tower... not with my knees, it could take until Christmas for me to get there.
:laugh:
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It's like Train Station all over again! _))*
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Yesterday evening, I visited the website for Olympic tickets.
Amazingly, I found £50 tickets for two evenings of the athletics and also tickets for the Ladies Singles Tennis Final on Centre Court.
The system was encouraging me to purchase another event because I was allowed up to 4 events.
I ignored the invitation and instead went to purchase the tickets only to find that the tickets we no longer available.
Unlike Ticketmaster, where tickets are held for you to purchase for around 5 minutes, it seems Olympic tickets are only available until you actually buy them.
So beware if anybody else is thinking of buying tickets.
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What with the cost of transport to London, hotels (if you can get one), entry tickets, meals and the rest, it is probably cheaper to buy a thumping great television that takes up the whole living room wall, a comfy recliner, a dumb waiter with the drinks, and watch the whole circus on the telly.
$walesflag$ cummon Wales! Lets have a few Golds. ££$
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You make a valid point, Yorkie, although the price of overnight accommodation is beginning to reduce, but still well over £100 per night (room only).
The earliest train from Llandudno Junction with an Off-Peak return ticket is the 07.40 which arrives in London at 10.38 when many Olympic events start at 10am.
That costs £79.30.
The earlier Anytime return train ticket costs £276 return.
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Saw this on facebook earlier, it made me giggle.
Bring on the Darleks $good$
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Great, I've always loved Daleks! :>:> :>:>
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They need to be re-armed with something a little better than a sink plunger! L0L
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Sorry for going against the grain here and sounding positive about the Olympics (tut tut!), but I am watching the Ladies GB football team playing New Zealand at the moment and it is a real pleasure! Steph Houghton has just scored a brilliant goal to go 1 - 0 up - fantastic!. It is the opening event of the Games at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and I have to say if the rest of the games is at this standard it will be a joy to watch. I really enjoy watching ladies football - very different to the men's game but equally enthralling its own way...
*Ludo dons suit of armour to protect against the ensuing storm of derision from other forum members*
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And continuing the theme of being positive about the Games, we ringers at Holy Trinity Church will be joining others throughout the UK on Friday morning in ringing bells for 3 minutes at 8.12am to mark the first day of the Olympics.
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Great! I would love to hear it....
(still nil - nil)
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*Ludo dons suit of armour to protect against the ensuing storm of derision from other forum members*
_))* L0L each to their own Ludo......I don't have a problem with you watching the Olympics. I have a problem with those who have organised it all or not as it seems. have a great Day Ludo :-*
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I agree about the organisers - a load of corrupt, prejudiced, inept and sickening bigots the lot of them. I hate the logo too! and don't get me started about that dreadful BBC animated trailer...
BUT - the great news is The ladies have won!!! great result for team GB and a great start to the London Caerdydd Olympics! $walesflag$ <:<:<:<
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Great! I would love to hear it....
(still nil - nil)
))* I meant 'still one - nil'!
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Great! I would love to hear it....
There may well be bells being rung near you Ludo.
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There may well be bells being rung near you Ludo.
Thanks for the tip Bellringer - you may well be right there, I will listen out for them. Our railway station is bedecked with posters and banners advertising the London Olympics. I have to admit, it makes me quite proud really....
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Anyone who has an iPad, iPhone etc. can keep up to date with the results, what's on and what's happening with a FREE ap, London 2012.
For example the Ladies' Football has a list of the team members, match analysis and is full of information.
$walesflag$
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Just to bring us back to Earth for a moment, but the Ladies football match was played out in front of 25,000 spectators in a stadium which holds nearly 80,000.
The match played immediately after, involving the Cameroons team, on the same pitch took place in front of an almost empty stadium.
The mens football kicked off today also, and the North Korean team stormed off the pitch, as they were depicted against the flag of their sworn enemies, South Korea!!
It doesn't bode well. does it? &shake& &shake&
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Anyone who has an iPad, iPhone etc. can keep up to date with the results, what's on and what's happening with a FREE ap, London 2012.
For example the Ladies' Football has a list of the team members, match analysis and is full of information.
$walesflag$
Thanks for the tip Yorkie - I will get it tomorrow!
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Just to bring us back to Earth for a moment, but the Ladies football match was played out in front of 25,000 spectators in a stadium which holds nearly 80,000.
The match played immediately after, involving the Cameroons team, on the same pitch took place in front of an almost empty stadium.
The mens football kicked off today also, and the North Korean team stormed off the pitch, as they were depicted against the flag of their sworn enemies, South Korea!!
It doesn't bode well. does it?
I agree Fester. I think there is still a lot of negative attitude towards the women's game from the viewing public and FAs alike. A pity really, as it is a much more subtle and dare I say it, skillful game. There is a lot less serious aggression too.
The mistake over the NK flag was just crass - typical of the slap-dash approach from the organisers. Let's hope that was the last major gaffe.
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The mistake over the NK flag was just crass
If it was a mistake... $booboo$
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The mistake over the NK flag was just crass
If it was a mistake... $booboo$
Of course you are quite right Ian. We will almost certainly never know the real truth (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-18995657) of why this happened and that in itself is frustrating, annoying and another example of the arrogance and remoteness of LOCOG and the IOC in general. It could have been some thick yob tasked with the scoreboard computer, or some right wing quasi-political activist trying to make a point about North Korea's political intransigence and isolation from the world. I have to say though that applying Occam's razor gives the most likely scenario here - that it was an ignorant, unintelligent lazy yob tasked with the programming of the scoreboard computer who would not pass a primary school geography test.
The question is, why did someone like this get such a responsible job in the first place. Also from what I have seen, the 'security' force is staffed by many people who would score even less in the same sort of test. A very worrying idea which has clearly raised the fears of America's favourite (or not) mormon Mitt Romney as evinced by this article today on the BBC news website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18997912 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18997912)
Cameron's response is priceless - the classic example of a politician completely out of touch with the mood of the people. I love the line at the end where he says: "I think we'll show the whole world not just that we've come together as a United Kingdom, but also we're extremely good at welcoming people from across the world." More crass insensitivity given the fact that Scots nationalists are desperate to leave said kingdom, and we the Welsh have fought long and hard for control of our own destiny. I don't think there is anyone in any doubt about the Irish republican position on the issue. Furthermore, I think all politicians in the UK are unanimous in admitting now that we have been way 'too good' in welcoming people from all over the world. So good in fact, that this 'welcome all' open door policy is destroying the fabric of the nation they have all come to take a piece of in the first place.
Now that we have blown circa £25Bn (with all the hidden costs - which is about what it cost America to land a man on the moon in the 1960s) on a grandiose party we can ill afford, it seems to me that we have three choices. There is nothing we can do - we'll never get that money back so we can either:
1. Grumble and complain about the games with a black sarcasm and harbour a secret hope that something goes catastrophically wrong.
or
2. Sit back with a few beers (or whatever) and watch some incredibly inspiring and movingly human moments of sporting glory.
or
3. Ignore it completely.
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I've been trying option 3 but it's difficult when it's constantly rammed down our throats, which is now why I'm with option 1! WWW
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Yep I'm with you ME $walesflag$ It's an absolute blag........I would rather watch Songs of Praise back to back for 2 weeks solid than pretend I have anything but utter contempt for the whole fiasco. :rage:
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OK - at least now we know where some of us stand eh?.
The men's football has kicked off this evening and team GB are playing Senegal as I type. And guess what - the first goal scored by a GB team in the Olympic finals since 1960 has just been scored by.....
A Welshman!!!! $walesflag$
Craig Bellamy &well&
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Jeez guys. We moan about the grass not getting cut; we moan about flowerbeds not being planted; we moan about the Clarence/Tudno Castle/Pier Oavillion et al.
And then along comes the greatest event that will ever come to our shores in our lifetime and we bloody moan about that too!
I can imagine a few years into the future when all the eyesores have been renovated and this forum will be saying "I don't like what they did with that, they could have done a better job"
We are currently hosting the best in the World at everything. Even if you're not a sports fan could you not at least celebrate that fact?
Stop bloody moaning and BRING ON THE UK OLYMPICS,
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Sorry Paddy, obviously I'm not a sports fan but this Olympic lark is costing a fortune which we cannot afford, we've just had the tennis and football lark a few weeks ago too! I wouldn't object so much if it was all on a sports channel, but yet again you can't avoid it on the tv and we have to miss the programmes that we like :rage:
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Is it going to be on BBC 1 & 2?
The reason I ask is that there are 24 BBC Olympics channels on my Sky planner & my TV keeps telling me to re-tune the Freeview channels to get the Olympics as if they are going to have dedicated channels to cover it.
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Try watching Al Jazeera at least you find out what else is happening in the universe.
It is going to be a long 3 weeks. :laugh: :laugh:
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some of these athletes have been training for the last four years or more for the chance of tacking part in one of the greatest sport occasions ever thought up, their families have been waiting for the chance to see the outcome of all this toil and sweat, it is once in a life time for some to witness it in their own country ,(I,v been lucky enough to have seen the last one in this county, all though i can,t honestly say i can remember much of the last one) you can allways watch another channel so stop winging at start shouting for your G.B.Team, or do you not have any pride in your fellow man/woman. Come on Great Britain,( Not often we can shout that) ££$
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Looks like we will have to agree to disagree on this, if you like it then great, but it's not for me!
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what if they have a pigeon race?
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On the subject of the Olympics, I read today that one of the African competitors claimed asylum once he got on to British soil, our Starter For Ten as Bamber Gascoigne would have said. I wonder what the total will be by the closing ceremony & if the organisers/Government have planned for such an obvious eventuality.
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I don't mean to trash the Olympics..........I'm merely saying we as a country can't afford it. I would like a Volkswagon Golf but guess what I can't afford it.
I truly believe that our basic services etc etc etc are suffering because of the tax payers money that has been ploughed into the Games and that's what they are games. Sorry Paddy I know some people applaud such things but I think there are things in this world far far more important.
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I'm with Paddy and Snowcap.
I think even so far, it has been a fantastic spectacle. Team GB football today was basically a Welsh side with a few almost unknown others from the provinces in support!. Bellamy was fantastic - as was Giggsy and as a Welshman, I can tell you my scalp and spine were tingling with pride when Bellamy scored (but it could also have been the Dutch coffee that I drink far too much of).
I can understand if you have no interest in sport and a mistrust of the powers that be, that it must be nothing more than a irritating nuisance. But I would hope that no one here really wishes a catastrophe on the Olympic games - of the sort the missiles are placed there to protect us from. That would be a step further than simple curmudgeon I think.
Roll on the opening ceremony tomorrow night (friday). My mate was there for the rehearsal on Monday night and he said it was fantastic!.
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I don't mean to trash the Olympics..........I'm merely saying we as a country can't afford it. I would like a Volkswagon Golf but guess what I can't afford it.
I truly believe that our basic services etc etc etc are suffering because of the tax payers money that has been ploughed into the Games and that's what they are games. Sorry Paddy I know some people applaud such things but I think there are things in this world far far more important.
I actually quite agree with you Pen. What was it, 12 million spent on that dreadful logo? - scandalous. The whole thing has spiralled out of all monetary control and yes it is scandalous at such a time of austerity and cuts to essential services. But we were powerless to stop it (which is also alienating of course). Nevertheless, now it is here I for one am going to do my level best to get my money's worth and enjoy the fantastic sport and support team GB.
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No Ludo to be serious I don't want anything to happen to anyone in the Olympics. I certainly don't want anyone hurt. I just feel were being hoodwinked by the government into believing the state of the country at the moment lies squarely on the toes of bankers when the government themselves have wasted far more on the Olympics. Political ego boosting is how I would surmise the whole issue. I mean how many of these bankers will actually be brought to justice..........probably none.
I'm quite proud of Bellamy too................secretly of course :-X
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No Ludo to be serious I don't want anything to happen to anyone in the Olympics. I certainly don't want anyone hurt. I just feel were being hoodwinked by the government into believing the state of the country at the moment lies squarely on the toes of bankers when the government themselves have wasted far more on the Olympics. Political ego boosting is how I would surmise the whole issue. I mean how many of these bankers will actually be brought to justice..........probably none.
I'm quite proud of Bellamy too................secretly of course :-X
I totally agree that the w/bankers are getting away with daylight robbery and the government are definitely protecting/supporting them. When we (the people) bailed them out there were assurances that something would at least be done about those obscene bonuses. What happened to that?. It sickens me to think of the corruption and dishonesty that has come to light since the last round of bailouts - and that is for sure only the tip of a very large iceberg.
I hope those disgusting crooks from Murdoch's evil empire do time for what they have sanctioned against the family of Milly Dowler for example. But as personal friends of Cameron I very much doubt it will be anything but a farce if it ever comes to trial. Of course there is no such thing as a completely open and fair government, after all there have to be by necessity SOME secrets. But this elite club style of the present coalition is sleepwalking into a disaster for the country. The big society? - do me a favour!.
I suppose my point is that 'Hoodwinking' is the new name of the game. It used to be called 'spin' or as the greatest philosopher of the 20th century, Frank Carson used to say 'It's the way ya tell em!'. When surface is scratched we find a murky old boys club pulling strings, doing deals, arranging cover-ups and all manner of other dark deeds, and that can only serve to alienate sections of the community. LOCOG, the IOC, FIFA and the FA to name but a few sporting 'Old boys clubs' are a fine example of this - it really is sickening to hear of the goings - on sometimes. But I suppose we are stuck with it for the foreseeable future, and that is terrible feeling.
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Ooooh it makes me so angry......I hear peoples opinions everyday in the pub and they all agree with us on the w/bankers (I like that Ludo) I agree with you on about the "elite style club" they operate in every country but their ill gotten gains all go into the same pot "theirs." I could bang on about it for ages I really could.....but I won't bore you now (although I shall be back :D )
Anyway Ludo I do sincerely hope you enjoy the Olympics and I don't mean to put a downer on it all I truly I don't.
Bring on the Welympics D) $walesflag$
and no I don't want a key ring :laugh:
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Ooooh it makes me so angry......I hear peoples opinions everyday in the pub and they all agree with us on the w/bankers (I like that Ludo) I agree with you on about the "elite style club" they operate in every country but their ill gotten gains all go into the same pot "theirs." I could bang on about it for ages I really could.....but I won't bore you now (although I shall be back :D )
Anyway Ludo I do sincerely hope you enjoy the Olympics and I don't mean to put a downer on it all I truly I don't.
Bring on the Welympics D) $walesflag$
and no I don't want a key ring :laugh:
Thanks Pen, and I wish you success in avoiding as much of it as you can!
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:laugh: Ludo I have no chance of missing it as I work in a pub and my Husband (y'know the one that's had the sky remote welded to his palm :rage: )
well he thinks the Olympics is fantastic, he's gutted he can't be there :o I can literally feel my nose curling as he moiders on "this will never happen again in my life time blah blah" and I'm left thinking "well every cloud ay" Pffft I'll have the pleasure of enduring every bloody aspect of the Olympic piggin' games Ludo from mildly brain numbing javelin and table tennis to the totally brain dead spectacle of the 10,000 meter power walk?? if I wanted to watch people in leggings doing the 10,000 meter power walk I'd sit on a bench and watch mothers walking their kids to school and save myself well over £50....seriously c'mon that's not even a sport surely..... _))*
But no I said I wouldn't moan..................for now at least :-X
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what if they have a pigeon race?
I would watch that ;D
I obviously don't wish anything bad on these games, but when like me you can't stand sport then you don't want to see it! Seven years ago I was horrified to hear that it was coming here and billions would be spent on it and that was before the recession! It seems that all money has gone to London yet again! On the bright side it should all be over in a couple of weeks, but we will all be paying for years in one way or another! Good to hear it's only once in a lifetime! :twoface:
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what if they have a pigeon race?
:laugh:
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They'll be have a Ludo competition next! _))*
The problem with the Olympics is that over time each Country has made it bigger and bigger and the IOC have introduced sport (sic) after sport. They should have left it just as it was when the Ancient Greeks set it up as a little inter-community contest.
The sooner we get back to throwing a spear and lobbing a few rocks the better! ;D
Good luck to all those athletes who have trained and worked hard for the last few years irrespective of the Country they represent. ;) And may I wish them a speedy return to their native land. 8)
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They'll be have a Ludo competition next! _))*
?
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It now seems all the football programmes will have to be reprinted after Welshman Joe Allen was listed as being English.
The British Olympic Association was apparently responsible for a similar blunder last night with an e-mail reporting Great Britain women’s victory over New Zealand being titled “England women on their way.”
Let’s hope these will be the last of the problems.
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It now seems all the football programmes will have to be reprinted after Welshman Joe Allen was listed as being English.
The British Olympic Association was apparently responsible for a similar blunder last night with an e-mail reporting Great Britain women’s victory over New Zealand being titled “England women on their way.”
Let’s hope these will be the last of the problems.
Great post Bri! - it just goes to show how thin the pretence of it all is. Agreed, let's hope these are the last of the gaffes (I very much doubt it will be though).
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It now seems all the football programmes will have to be reprinted after Welshman Joe Allen was listed as being English.
The British Olympic Association was apparently responsible for a similar blunder last night with an e-mail reporting Great Britain women’s victory over New Zealand being titled “England women on their way.”
It is always the same - if the team wins it is English. If they lose it is British! $walesflag$
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They'll be have a Ludo competition next! _))*
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Or Snakes and Ladders if you prefer! $good$
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And this is the merry band of bell ringers who may have woken you up in Llandudno this morning.
Perhaps bell ringing could be an Olympic sport too!
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And this is the merry band of bell ringers who may have woken you up in Llandudno this morning.
Perhaps bell ringing could be an Olympic sport too!
I hope everything went well with the nationwide peal. I didn't hear a dickie bird over here except for our local cockerel! (who is still at it as I write). It is really a good feeling for me to have some sort of contact with Holy Trinity - it has always had a special place in my heart as I was christened there many, many moons ago...
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I heard the bells at Trinity this morning, well done to Stan and the gang. $good$
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Everyone all set for the opening ceremony then? ;D - I see things are warming up in Colwyn Bay at the moment - Sophie Evans is a sweet lady is she not: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-19022397 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-19022397)
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Well, I'm about to go and watch the opening ceremony with my mum on her TV and we've invited a friend to join us. We're all chipping in with food and drink and as none of this was planned it will be interesting to see what we end up with.
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Oh dear, its started!!!!
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We are watching the Snowdonia programme on BBC2 $walesflag$
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Sounds fantastic, in comparison to my tv viewing
I am being subjected to the opening ceremonies. Hence my pc being turned on.
Ive no interest whatsoever - - - - - although I watched the womens football & saw gb win (thanks to wales) :)
I have come to the conclusion that womens football is better to watch than the mens cos they play proper footy, without the iffy fouls/dives. :D
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Actually, Ive not watched tooooo much of the opening ceremony, but I have been surprised by the music choices - very good. Danny Boyle has done well!!! "Kind of a neighbour to me"
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Despite my fears..... thus far, the Opening Ceremony Extravaganza is utterly superb, and I take my hat off to the organisers, directors and choreographers.
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Team GB came out to the music: We could be heros - just for ONE day.
Hopefully not.
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FANTASTIC!!
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Agreed...... all involved should be very proud. +}}{-- _))++ &well&
Its just a shame that Paul McCartney long since forgot how to sing.....
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I managed to watch most of the Opening Ceremony and am surprised at my lack of knowledge and wished that I had paid more attention at UK History lessons when at school.
I must also do a bit of studying at the Geography of the World as half the Countries that are represented I have never heard of before. Such is life! :D
Why haven't we got an "Olympic" smilie? $walesflag$
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Brilliant show.
Was not looking forward to it but ended up enjoying it
Pity Paul McCartney tried to ruin it.
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Agreed...... all involved should be very proud. +}}{-- _))++ &well&
Its just a shame that Paul McCartney long since forgot how to sing.....
Hit the off switch and headed for bed when McCartney came on.
Apart from that it was not too bad.
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Pity Paul McCartney tried to ruin it.
Some of us 'older ones' don't know when to give up certain things! I didn't think he was very good at the Diamond Jubilee concert either.
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He wasn't, and neither was Cliff R...
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I liked the bit where James Bond turned up at the Palace to escort the Queen to the Opening Ceremony:
James Bond escorts The Queen to the London 2012 Olympic Games - BBC (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW5abat5NEU#ws)
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Watched it until the athletes parade and have recorded the rest.
The whole thing was excellent and the 'potted history lesson' was amazing .
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who said we can,t put on a show, it will take some beating in four years time , hope i,m still around for it. Come on G.B.
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We are watching the Snowdonia programme on BBC2 $walesflag$
Ludo again - banging on about the Olympics!
Except I'm not this time. ME, I saw that the A year in the wild - Snowdonia (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01l9z10/A_Year_in_the_Wild:_Snowdonia/) programme clashed with the opening ceremony, and was pleased to see there was such a good alternative for 3-towners who had no interest in the games. For myself, I resolved to watch the Snowdonia programme on BBC iPlayer when I had a chance (which turned out to be this afternoon) and I have just finished watching it.
What an amazingly moving experience it was too. For anyone who didn't see it - I would very highly recommend that you do!. The photography, atmosphere and contributions from the people involved were mesmerisingly beautiful. The choice of music was fantastic too - if there was an OST cd available would buy it. If television - especially HD television, was invented for anything, in my opinion this is it. I can quite honestly say without reservation, it is the best thing I have seen on broadcast television in the past year - yes, including the Olympics opening ceremony. The poetry, the insights of Gwyn the shepherd, Rhys the warden and Morris the poet have made a deep impact on me which I will never forget. The poem read at the end over the breathtaking views of the mountains left me dewey eyed - but Arglwydd mawr it has made me homesick....
A couple of screen shots:
(http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/5272/snowdoniascreenshot2012.jpg)
(http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/5272/snowdoniascreenshot2012.jpg)
(http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/2513/sowdoniascreenshot20120.jpg)
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Yes we thought the Snowdonia programme was amazing, beautifully filmed, breathtaking in fact! The New Forest next week.
On the other hand I saw the first couple of minutes of the Olympics and it reminded me of Teletubbie land on crack :o
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Teletubbie land on crack :o
LOL!
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We recorded the Snowdonia prog. and have just watched it. Ludo is quite right. It is mesmerising.
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Spot the Error.
.
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2102.slip of the fniger
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Brilliant show.
Was not looking forward to it but ended up enjoying it
Pity Paul McCartney tried to ruin it.
It appears Sir Paul McCartney was paid only £1 for his appearance at The Opening Ceremony.
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Ten pounds too much! WWW
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It appears Sir Paul McCartney was paid only £1 for his appearance at The Opening Ceremony.
And that was 19 shillings and sixpence too much! _))*
They just don't know when to give up, do they? :D
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Brilliant show.
Was not looking forward to it but ended up enjoying it
Pity Paul McCartney tried to ruin it.
It appears Sir Paul McCartney was paid only £1 for his appearance at The Opening Ceremony.
All of the performers were happy to perform for free but they had to be paid so that they could be bound to their contracts.
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just watching the G,B, ladies beating Brazil of all teams, what a team we have at last.COMON Great Britain
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well done ladies a one nil win to round off a perfect start, 3 wins out of 3, including beating one of the best teams in the world.
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A bizarre scene at the games tonight..(one of many so far)
The South Korean and Chinese Badminton teams DELIBERATELY trying to LOSE the match, so as to get an easier opponent in the next round. Both teams simply dollied every service into the net on purpose.
An unsportsmanlike disgrace.
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this is were the powers that be should step in and penalise them in some way, it would deter others from trying to do the same.
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show them with the wrong flags, that should wind them up _))*
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well done ladies a one nil win to round off a perfect start, 3 wins out of 3, including beating one of the best teams in the world.
Absolutely!. Again a great goal from Steph Houghton - sheer class worthy of the very best in football. Great goalkeeping too from Karen Bardsley. It's surely too early to be talking about gold, but this underrated team have the best chance so far of a gold medal in terms of skill, commitment and determination. All the other GB hopefuls seem to have been far too overhyped by the media and have disappointed themselves and the British people as a result. I would love it if the ladies won the football as it would be a real kick in the locogs for Sepp Blatter who said some dreadful things about the womens game some years ago.
It was a terrible show of bad sportsmanship in the Badminton I agree. Both teams should have been disqualified (there is a sanction available in the rules for unsporting behaviour) as a deterrant to others. But staying with China, I think the USA should stop with all the insulting speculation about Ye Shiwen. The only drugs reference you can use in the same breath as mentioning her name is that she swam like a heroine. She has been officially declared drugs free. The USA should accept that - they are beginning to look like bad losers for going on and on about it now.
I will be happy if the only gold we win is the ladies football but of course I am hoping for a few more!.
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this is were the powers that be should step in and penalise them in some way, it would deter others from trying to do the same.
All four pairs involved in this farce have been disqualified.
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All four pairs involved in this farce have been disqualified.
At last the powers that be have got something right. On a more positive note, team GB have their first gold medal today in the rowing - phew!.
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and a second gold now from Bradley Wiggins.
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What a year for Wiggo!! - great stuff...
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Sir Brad ??
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Sir Brad ??
Undoubtadley. And if you're thinking of phoning in to vote for someeone else for sports personality of the year. Save your money.
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there is a justice after all, now perhaps it will deter the cheats. we also got a silver tonight in swimming, only beat by a world record breaker. G.B.won again 1-0 good day
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What is it with penalties????
Why can we here in the British Isles NEVER win a penalty shoot out at the highest level?
I knew team GB were going to lose as soon as we knew it was penalties....
But what about Jess Ennis!!! - fantastic Olympian, wonderful personality, and a true heroine - we have another great athlete in the mold of Denise Lewis and Fatima Whitbread, - Great stuff!!. The most successful day in British Olympic history for 104 years! - am really proud to be British tonight....
Come on Andy Murray!
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Indeed, I thought I was going to wake up from that dream at some stage.
Ennis was superb, but immediately after, Greg Rutherford picked up GOLD in the long jump.
Then.... Mo Farah ran the race of his life to hold off the best 10,000 metre men in the world to scoop another fantastic GOLD.
It was truly a historic night for British sport. $uk $uk $uk
That medal table position will never be beaten for the rest of time.
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Indeed, I thought I was going to wake up from that dream at some stage.
Ennis was superb, but immediately after, Greg Rutherford picked up GOLD in the long jump.
Then.... Mo Farah ran the race of his life to hold off the best 10,000 metre men in the world to scoop another fantastic GOLD.
It was truly a historic night for British sport. $uk $uk $uk
That medal table position will never be beaten for the rest of time.
Mo Farah was magnificent!. His reading of the last 100 meters was amazing - the way he was watching the pack and waiting - keeping his cool and waiting for the moment to give it everything he had - truly spectacular!. The emotion Mo showed at the end said it all - he is a truly great Briton, and anyone who loves Great Britain will be truly proud of him and his fantastic achievement today as the first British athlete to win the 10000 meters...
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I actually think that tonight's achievements eclipse the Bradley Wiggins achievement quite easily. :cyclist40:
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What an unbelievably great situation to be in though to be able to even talk about other achievements eclipsing Wiggo's great achievements....
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Cool picture.
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Similar.
.
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That medal table position will never be beaten for the rest of time.
Indeed; we're rather unlikely to beat either China or the US anytime soon.
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This is truly amazing even by DaveR's standards:
http://www.nbcolympics.com/gigapans/opening-ceremony.html (http://www.nbcolympics.com/gigapans/opening-ceremony.html)
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Supercalifragalisticexpialidotious!!! :o
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Despite my rather lukewarm interest in the Olympics, my Daughter is having a great time there. She is a driver for a Horse Transport Company and has the job of ferrying one of the overseas Olympic Equestrian Teams to and from the Games. She says that she feels very proud to just be a small part of what is happening. I'll have to give her her own Gold Medal as a reward for her effort. (She is, of course, being paid by her employer!)
Photo courtesy LRT
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On a similar vein, my Brother in Law has been drafted in to the Olympis as security, as he is a mounted policeman.
He texted me this picture of him and a colleague outside the Olympic Stadium. Hope it comes out OK.
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And the London 2012 Paralympics event starts in a couple of weeks. This looks like being highly successful too.
For details of the Flame see www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19265010 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19265010)