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Not a fan of the Olympics?
Maybe you should be...
y Allison Ealey
ports Editor
Almost every sports fan in the world
has an experience of the Olympics,
it may be a brief and fleeting one, or
it may be a long-held admiration.
Some of us spent time growing up
watching the games with family, admiring
the beauty of opening and
closing ceremonies, witnessing history
in the making. Some athletes
train and dream of a day when they
might be capable of competing, finally
achieving the attention their
sport deserves in the world-wide
arena, and for some, it is a chance
for a nation to be recognized, to
have their moment in the sun. In a
world where news reporting is often
tied up in terrorism, politics, and
military action, the Olympic games
offer an opportunity for countrymen
to stand shoulder to shoulder
in competition, and for the world to
compete, not in arms and strength of
foreign policy, but in the games we
all played growing up. For this period
of time, all athletes are on equal
ground, and compete in a manner
bringing glory to themselves, their
countries, and their sports.
Perhaps this emotionally charged
account of the Olympics isn’t quite
what you identify with. I still hold
that there is something for everyone.
Being in England, especially living
so close to London, the Olympics are
quickly having a more direct impact
on each of our lives. As the bid was
announced and London secured the
2012 Olympic Games over the bids
of Paris, Madrid, Moscow, and New
Holden Point, location of the Olympic Park, East London
York, the door of opportunity began
opening for the city of London, and
for Londoners. Although money is
required to construct the necessary
venues for the Games, there are several
benefits for London. The Wharton
school explains: “It will derive
significant economic benefits. Tourism
and construction are the sectors
that will benefit the most from the
event, which will improve the city
with millions of dollars in infrastructure
investments while reviving
the image of the country”.
The beauty of London will once
again be unveiled for all the world
to see. However, the beauty of the
games will last much longer among
Londoners. Although construction
and tourism will increase, there
are also numerous benefits for hotel
owners, restaurants, nightclubs,
travel agencies, airlines, and almost
any other industry. While the
memories of the London games
fade away in the minds of some,
the amount of money fueled back
into the London economy will linger
for some time. Visit-Britain, the
UK tourism authority, estimates
that the Games could bring some 2
billion pounds to the nation’s tourism
industry. Additionally, the 2012
games are becoming widely known
as the ‘Greenest’ games to date.
Garnering support from the Mayor
of London website, it is explained
“These fast-tracked changes would
make London better for residents,
businesses and visitors alike, and
include strengthening the transport
infrastructure, enhancing the physical
environment, developing many
new homes and creating worldclass
sports facilities”. While the
world-class sports facilities are the
highly discussed forms of improvement
discussed when a city achieves
the goal of an Olympic hosting gig,
yet that improvement may be seen
to pertain to a limited population.
Strengthening of transportation,
however, favor all Londoners for
years to come. Perhaps one day, post
Computerised image: proposed Triathlon route
2012, Holloway graduates will sit
and commute on the underground
cars which are unmarked by graffiti,
are very clean, and safe, and as they
do so, perhaps they will remember
the Olympics, and all they brought
to London. London itself is of particular
interest for Olympic fans, as
it will provide a stunning and historic
backdrop for the games, which
have appeared rather modern in the
recent past. Part of the appeal of a
London games is the beautiful scenery
and the monumental buildings
around town, which will be incorporated
into the games, which is
something to be witnessed by those
of us who may pass the streets of
London on a regular basis.
If there is anyone out there still
not convinced that a London Olympics
is a positive opportunity for
the city, perhaps when the games
arrive, their minds will be transformed.
In just six short years, the
streets of London will be bustling
with sports fans from around the
world, the torch lit high in the sky,
flags waving, countrymen uniting
outside of familiar borders. Those
of us around England will have the
opportunity to purchase tickets, see
events in person, and witness the
finest athletes in the world. Camaraderie,
athleticism, and excitement
will be in the air for months following
the events. Children around the
world will sit in front of television
screens, staying up past their bedtimes
to watch the next athlete to
change the world of sport, dreaming
Olympic dreams. The hopes and aspirations
of athletes will either come
to fruition, or fall apart in front of
the world’s eyes, in one of the greatest
displays of sports the world will
ever see. All the while, Londoners
will be laughing… all the way to the
bank.