2012 Olympic Games

Tuesday, 28th July 2009 And the digging begins!

Last week I was in Greenwich Park and came across 3 holes being dug in the ground. The sign says that they are digging the holes in order to do an Environmental Study for the 2012 Olympic Equestrian events. Since Greenwich Park was sited to be the Equestrian venue many people have been campaigning to have the event relocated in order to preserve the heritage and sensitive ecology of the park.
Having used and enjoyed the park for over 20 years I cannot believe this venue was picked. With over 24,000 spectators and participants expected for cross country, dressage and jumping events I cannot see how structural and ecological damage to the park can be avoided.

Friday, 31st October 2008 Free day trip to the site!

Yes that’s right today I went on a free trip to the main site in Stratford. Organised by London 2012 and Tower Hamlets, the tour started at the Stratford bus depot. Having not been to Stratford for some year I could see that there have been many changes and as the mini bus set off I soon found myself disorientated by all the changes.

The tour was great, we went all over the site seeing the where the Olympic Stadium would be, the Aquatics Centre, VeloPark and construction of the Main Press Centre. The site is huge and so much has already been started. The tour is well worth doing as you really get a feel for what they are doing in Stratford.

Sunday, 6th April 2008 Day out to see the torch!

So this morning I woke up and said to the wife "do you fancy a nice lunch in town and to see the touch"? It was snowing so she was not best pleased, but she was swayed by the nice lunch! So we head off to St Paul's, where I had heard there would be a band, entertainment and a ceremony for the touch. We had a lovely lunch and watched the crowd's mill around before we took up a spot at the front of the barriers. We waited and waited and waited, did I say it was snowing, the wife we not best pleased again! But at least the band was playing and keeping us occupied! A rumour stared, the touch was coming! It was coming, here it is and there it goes! No it did not stop, no there was no ceremony and no we did not see it!

Come on I said to the wife, we'll catch it at the Dockland. So off we went and again we got a really good spot. We'll get a really nice photo here, I said. Again here comes the touch, get the camera ready. Well you can see the best photo I got on the left! The touch was surrounded by people on bikes, people on foot, a bus, a coach and yet more people!

Now I know that they where worried about the protesters and something untoward going on, but please! It was ridicules! Weeks of organising and planning and the whole day turns out like a farce! If this is anything to go by I have little hope for the London Olympics. Anyone up for a 3 week holiday somewhere sunny starting July 2012?!

On Wednesday, 6 July, 2005 London won the bid to host the 2012 Olympic games.

Having lived in the East End all my life, learning that London had won was amazing, just down the road Stratford will be host to the aquatic centre, the velodrome and the Olympic village. This website will bring together information about the 2010 Olympics and offer a local perspective on it all.

If you also live locally I would love to hear your thoughts and views about the Olympics, good or bad, and I'll try to represent them here.

Credits: Red Arrow London fly past photo by mrlerone