£81m

[Maydup]

£81million for the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Olympics. The government have just doubled the budget for something that will last for just a few minutes.

I despair............for everyone out of work or waiting for medical treatment, I despair.

[yogi-bear]

LOL...JJ

Do you think Maid-up will notice my goof, sweetheart? :0) x

I think i got away with it......:)

[rowanwitch]

I think it would be better if all participating countries paid a sum into a central pot to have a permanent olympic venue in Greece would help support their economy and at least we'd get something from it and it stops all the fighting and fussing every few years.

[Frank97]

I like the Olympics, fair shout to them, it's just the whole thing seems a bit like holding a party on the top decks while the engine room floods shortly before the ship goes down.

[Maydup]

I saw you Yogi - but excuse you all the same!

I still think its a great opportunity for us to attend the games by hosting it and the area in London has benefited in part from the development. Its the £81m on the ceremonies that I find astounding. £80m of that £81m is likely to go up in a puff of fireworks with the proceeds going back to China from whom we bought them.

[Zeuhl]

Can't we just CGI the whole thing.

Thousands of extras moving as one - hey it works in the movies.

The guy who made 'Monsters' could produce the whole thing in a weekend in his spare bedroom for a fraction of the cost.

[ichkeria]

What a bunch of moaners.

[EDDIE51]

I am still ''on the list of possibles'' as a volunteer in Press Operations for London 2012. No definate idea yet but I got an email last week saying I was still in the running. (not literally)

[joggerjayne]

This thread is still going strong.

Well ... still going.

[DTCwordfan]

Ironing athlete's shorts perhaps, Eddie? ^

[joggerjayne]

DTC ... that sheep is really off putting.

When are you going to change your avatar?

[askyourgran]

Great idea Rowan, they need the money and they already have a venue, at least they should have finished their arena by then.
Not running with the torch then Eddie.

[seadogg]

I remember The Festival of Britain was regarded as an extravagance in a time of austerity by some. As things turned out it was wonderful, not least because the RFH which a group of us haunted for years. Ditto the London Olympics post war. This one will be the white elephant we shall all regret.

[boxtops]

.. and meanwhile, Dover welcomes the Torch with Woolly Bunting http://www.dadonline.eu/node/351