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2012 London Olympics

djbhammer

By djbhammer,
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SaintM

SaintM

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The press must be having a field day with that MOD chap.

"Is there a risk of say..... clowns with ebola virus filled custard pies attacking athletes in the Olympic Village?"

"Yes. It's a very real risk and we can do little to prevent it."

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zxcvbnm

zxcvbnm

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I'm fucking sick of the Olympics, before it's even started. So I had to pay extra council tax, despite having a Kent postcode, to pay for it and then get no priority for tickets. Now they're putting missiles all over the fucking place, the roads will be fucked up, public transport can't cope already - it's going to be a big, big royal tits up.

Here's what you can see when you take your dog for a walk in Oxleas Wood at the moment:

7148148723_674f6c69a4.jpg

Ground based air defence, Rapier System. by Tim Walton Photography, on Flickr

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SeanR

SeanR

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Which signs?

This city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions. What he means is Old Testament, real wrath of God type stuff. Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling! Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes... The dead rising from the grave Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!

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JohnC

JohnC

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I'm fucking sick of the Olympics, before it's even started. So I had to pay extra council tax, despite having a Kent postcode, to pay for it and then get no priority for tickets. Now they're putting missiles all over the fucking place, the roads will be fucked up, public transport can't cope already - it's going to be a big, big royal tits up.

Here's what you can see when you take your dog for a walk in Oxleas Wood at the moment:

7148148723_674f6c69a4.jpg

Ground based air defence, Rapier System. by Tim Walton Photography, on Flickr

If videogames have thought me anything, it's that a single shot to the jerry can will blow the whole thing sky high.

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Graham S

Graham S

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So I've been to a bunch of the test events and I went to the opening of the stadium last week, and had a wander around the park too.

I still think it's a bit weird that access is via the shopping mall. It is a very swanky mall though, and it's been a big success. Bluewater is practically empty nowadays and Westfield is permanently rammed. One of the pole vaulters had to carry her pole through it. It feels like the developers of the mall, who had billions to invest, had the planners over a barrel, otherwise I'd imagine some better town planning for the future. Also it's not too nice getting to the mall / Olympics via a long tunnel with quite a low ceiling from the tube station. I'm sure this was to do with the limitations of the site, but doesn't feel very grand.

The park feels a bit bleak. It's not summer yet, there is still lots of planting to be done, but it definitely felt like you were on an industrial estate in East London with a few modern buildings and lots of temporary seating everywhere. And a new Macdonalds. Some kid was asking if there would be jugglers and circus acts wandering around in the summer, and it could definitely do with something. I guess the Dow Chemical wrap on the stadium might improve matters.

The Kapoor / Mittal/ Orbit tower. I don't know: the steps that lead you up to it, are they going to continue to be covered by grey mesh cage? I think it must be temporary building safety stuff, because I'm pretty sure it was lit with temporary fluorescent lighting tubes. I heard it was originally going to be left open, but then was gradually sealed off sure to safety concerns, and eventually there couldn't even be gaps between the steps big enough for coins to drop through. But then, I think the opening of the tower was this week? I certainly hope the grey bits aren't part of the finished structure, as they look bad.

The stadium is good. No roof, so hopefully it's not a washout. Even a bit of rain on Saturday dampened the mood a lot. I had great seats, and the leg room was fine. Don't think I'd want my football team to play there, but should be great for the Olympics.

The first half of the opening was the finals of the University athletics meet + some UKA events. I was quite interested to watch some good runners, watch the athletes prepare etc. It's not hugely entertaining though, and I hope in the summer there is some commentary to give the audience focus and explain what's going on, it's quite hard to keep track of the field events especially.

Then the second half, the actual opening, was an embarrassing disaster. The "Military Wives" (some choir that has had a hit single) had a nightmare with the National Anthem. One of those situations that they can't have been able to hear themselves thanks to monitors not being loud enough, and it was all over the place, in many different keys, out of tune, incredibly cringe-making. And that set the tone really. "Fun" dreamed up by beauracrats. Minor celebrities in Zorb balls, on exercise bikes, and in tug of wars. And sponsored to a desperate extent. If your team wins your part of the stadium might win a Cadbury®'s chocolate lolly! Or a VISA® card pre-loaded with £20.12! Oh man, it can't be like this in the summer, can it?

I left before the opening. An audience member was supposed to do the official opening. I'd had a lengthy day dream where I was selected and shouted "MCA Rest in Peace!" into the mic, and then did a Black Power salute and called for a moment of silence. But that didn't happen. Instead some kid did it and I went home early, with everyone else who was leaving in droves.

Of all the events I've seen, the cycling was easily the most entertaining. You really got the impression these guys are the best in the world. The venue is amazing. The events were exciting. There was plenty of interesting stuff to look at, as they prepare in the middle of the track.

Some of the other stuff was a bit underwhelming. I'm used to football players being absurdly lauded, overpaid, their every tweet or grunt inspected for its significance. But athletes, divers,etc. it seems quite a lonely life. Such sacrifice and commitment and achievement, but they're basically ignored and the events feel like glorified school sports days. I suppose if you have talent you should work so you can express it at the highest level, but it doesn't it look all that great an existence.

I'm still looking forward to the summer. It seems like the basic logistics have all been done competently. Even the scandals (sponsor censorship, missiles) have been a bit weak, compared to mismanagement of previous games (buildings being unfinished etc). I think we might pull this off. It's been quite interesting to watch, and its been good to see things given a facelift round here, even if there were probably cheaper ways to do it.

Hope my sofa and telly arrives in time. I'm sure Seb Coe would be proud that he inspired such a purchase.

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Graham S

Graham S

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Oh, I have a secret source with information about the Opening Ceremony. They are sworn to secrecy, but you won't tell anyone will you? It all sounds a bit embarrassing, although this person discusses it terms like "they're doing the best they can with the budget". Anyway, one section is a celebration of the NHS, in dance! Can't wait!

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88h88

88h88

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Anish Kapoor's sculpture tower of junk will cost only £15 to go up! But you'll get your quids worth, as they've got wacky mirrors up there.

£15!

It look like a collapsed roller coaster & perfectly represents the UK's olympics as a train wreck shower of shit & waste of money.

Oh wow I didn't even know this was being made, what a fucking monstrosity. :blink:

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Dudley

Dudley

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Two weeks notice? Isn't that illegal?

Very. Even if they gave you the 2 months (which pretty much takes you to the olympics) if you REALLY want to fuck with them just don't leave, they won't get you out until well after the olympics finish anyway.

For double lulz, find who they've short term rented the flat to for that time and offer to share with them for half what they were going to pay the landlord.

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ryodi

ryodi

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More new weapons tech at the Olympics

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/may/12/british-military-sonic-weapon-olympics

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that a device that can be used as a "sonic weapon" will be deployed in London during the Olympics.

The American-built long-range acoustic device (LRAD), which has been used by the US army to control crowds in Iraq, can emit an ear-piercing beam of sound.

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bcass

bcass

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Oh wow I didn't even know this was being made, what a fucking monstrosity. :blink:

Cost £20 million to build it too. Seriously, can the country that gave the world Newton, Shakespeare and Darwin really not do better than that? Tragic. Utterly tragic.

Everything about these games reeks of mediocrity. Even the rampant paranoia is laughable. The unadulterated commercialism emanating from the event is beyond vile. McDonalds as a sponser to the olympics?

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Quest

Quest

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They let Kapoor put mirrors in that thing? He designed a mirror in Nottingham that caused the theatre that owns it to put the following disclaimer on their website:

Contrary to media speculation, Sky Mirror does not pose any danger to the public or pigeons in the form of a barbecue ray.

Here's hoping he got it working this time around.

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dayte

dayte

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Everything about these games reeks of mediocrity. Even the rampant paranoia is laughable. The unadulterated commercialism emanating from the event is beyond vile. McDonalds as a sponser to the olympics?

C'mon, now you're just being negative for the sake of it. This will be the best Olympics since the Beijing Olympics, so chin up and take pride!

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Yiggy

Yiggy

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Yeah well this morning was an extension of the annoying experience that I had before.

To be fair the problem is that for anything other than the football I think there are mainly single tickets left. Especially for the bigger events that remain.

I had tickets in my basket for the Hockey Final, Hockey preliminaries, various athletics even at extorionate prices, all of which were listed as 'available' but none of which were available in my ticket configuration which was 3 seats.

I finally ended up with Beach Volleyball on the opening weekend (Mens and Womens 4 Matches) which seems like it could be fun. 4 tickets in altogether for £66 each.

That will do and along with tickets we already have to the Wheelchair Tennis at the Paralympics (which I believe is in the olympic park) should cover my olympic experience.

There were still tickets for the Olympic Football GBR game at Wembley against the UAE along with final tickets. I still think they are going to have trouble shifting all the football ones. All that seems to be left now is Football, Hockey, Beach Volleyball, Greco Roman Wrestling, Wrestling and Athletics.

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El Pibe

El Pibe

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Cost £20 million to build it too. Seriously, can the country that gave the world Newton, Shakespeare and Darwin really not do better than that? Tragic. Utterly tragic.

Everything about these games reeks of mediocrity. Even the rampant paranoia is laughable. The unadulterated commercialism emanating from the event is beyond vile. McDonalds as a sponser to the olympics?

McDonald's sponsor most sports events and I'm not sure what people expect?

It doesnt mean anyone has to eat that shit!

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Yiggy

Yiggy

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I mean you would rather there were sponsors than we have to pay even more right?

Of course I agree that shouldn't be what it's all about but it's an unavoidable side effect these days for ANY Major sporting event.

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