London - what are your thoughts?

[kdm]

What are your thoughts about London and in particular the hosting of the 2012 Olympics?

Do you think that it is a positive or negative thing to happen and what do you hope for the future of London as a result of hosting the Olympics?

[flip_flop]

I think it is an obscene amount of money to spend - The budget has already increased more than four fold to 9 Billion since we were awarded the event just two years ago.

Nine Thousand Million pounds!!!!

The event isn't for another five years yet - so christ knows what the final cost will be.

I just feel there are more worthwhile things to spend that amount of money on - I mean, do we really need a velodrome in the East End?

[Loosehead]

I think it's a magnificent achievement by Seb and co to get the Olympics to London. It'll cost a few quid up front but we'll get it back in spades later. Most modern Olympics turn a pofit but I'm not bothered if it does cost a few quid. I'd rather spend it on sport than pi55 it away on the EU. The NHS has at least double the budget it actually needs and what we spend on the Olympics would keep the NHS going for about 7 weeks even if we got none of it back. So to all the doubters whinners and naysayers, for Christ sake stop bloody moaning and enjoy!

[flip_flop]

Plus to be honest, I can't say I've ever really been that interested in watching a few middle/long distance Africans running round in a circle (that is not racist Ruby, it just happens that the Africans appear to be the best middle/long distance runners).

Perhaps I'd have a different opinion if I found the events interesting - Boxing and football aside (football even though GB doesn't have a team - or possibly despite GB not having a team), I just find it all a little bit boring!!!

[NJOK]

I'm all for it.

Life is (or should be) all about the pursuit of glory. I'm not bothered if it costs money.

[jno]

the fact that the Americans run the Olympics at a profit doesn't (regrettably) mean the British will do the same. I suspect we'll have a few surplus stadiums sitting round at the end. Even Australians, who are sports-mad, haven't found a use for all the infrastructure they built in Sydney, I believe. But it's high time Britain did something high-profile like this; it will draw world attention to the country.... er, that's if it's not pouring with rain for the whole fortnight. And domestically it should encourage younger people to play sport, which may in the longer run improve their health and take away a bit of the burden on the NHS.

And, generally, it's likely to cheer people up a bit.

[kdm]

Can I just add another question to my initial train of thought.... Even if you are agains the idea of the Olympics being held in Lonodn do you think there are any positives that can come out of it? What about the re-generation of the East End - what positive things would you like to see come out of the Olympics??

[jno]

not sure how well the East End will do, but better transport links around the capital will almost certainly be a result, and one which will benefit most people there.

I'm also none too sure how non-Londoners are going to come out of this, though.

[whippetycros]

suppose it has to be London. Bit not fair cos they get everything.
Really really looking forward to it.

[heathfield]

I suppose it's a good thing in a way. Since I'll be totally uninterested in watching any TV for the duration of the games, it'll get me out and about more.

[oxfordrocks]

Why do we need the Olympic games to regenerate the East end of London?

It's a disgraceful waste of money and resourses.

[NikkiB]

I believe it's a huge piddle against the wall. But hey! Take consolation in the fact that no-one, no government in British history, wastes hard-earned money like this government does. So all that loot is in the hands of experts. What do you expect? Do you think that the money should be given to the electorate to dispense? We'd only spend it on the NHS and social care for war veterans.

[Reverandfunk]

Does anyone not find it slightly worrying that the Olympics is 5 years away and has building work started on the stadium yet???

Given the absolute joke with wembley