As predicted, on this site before the Athens Olympics even started, the cost of hosting the Athens Olympics has topped $12BN.
The Greek Finance Minister, Giorgos Alogoskoufis, revealed the staggering cost of history's most expensive Games yesterday.
The original budget was around $3BN.
The $12BN cost does not include the cost of infrastructure, these costs have not been published.
Saturday, November 13, 2004
Friday, November 12, 2004
Olympic Histrionics
The histrionic threat by Valentino Castellani, organiser of the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics, to resign yesterday (as reported on this site) has been withdrawn; how surprising!
Following a meeting with the IOC president, Jacques Rogge, and Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi; Castellani's ego was duly mollified.
The division of powers between himself and Mario Pescante, the government appointed games supervisor, had been clarified to his satisfaction.
Castellani, a former mayor of Turin, said:
"..a page had been turned.." and he would remain head of organising committee through the games in February 2006.
What a relief!
Following a meeting with the IOC president, Jacques Rogge, and Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi; Castellani's ego was duly mollified.
The division of powers between himself and Mario Pescante, the government appointed games supervisor, had been clarified to his satisfaction.
Castellani, a former mayor of Turin, said:
"..a page had been turned.." and he would remain head of organising committee through the games in February 2006.
What a relief!
Thursday, November 11, 2004
What are The Odds?
The London Olympic bid book, for the 2012 Olympics, will be delivered to the IOC next week.
However, the smart money on which city will win the bidding is on Paris at 4/7; according to William Hill the UK bookmakers.
Whilst London comes second at 2/1, the level of betting from British punters is low. This does not augur well for London's chances.
The other odds are 13/2 Madrid, 12/1 New York, 33/1 Moscow.
However, the smart money on which city will win the bidding is on Paris at 4/7; according to William Hill the UK bookmakers.
Whilst London comes second at 2/1, the level of betting from British punters is low. This does not augur well for London's chances.
The other odds are 13/2 Madrid, 12/1 New York, 33/1 Moscow.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Music For Olympians
Sandeep Chowta, the renowned Indian musician, is part of the international team that will put together the theme music for the summer Olympics being held in Beijing 2008.
Chowta is currently scouting for talent:
"We are looking for youngsters, between four and seven, to record for the theme song.."
Chowta, part of the AO band (which has worked with Sheryl Crowe, The Eagles and Celine Dion), will compose the theme song and track for the Beijing Olympics.
He wants to to create a combination of sounds from around the world, language is no barrier.
Chowta is currently scouting for talent:
"We are looking for youngsters, between four and seven, to record for the theme song.."
Chowta, part of the AO band (which has worked with Sheryl Crowe, The Eagles and Celine Dion), will compose the theme song and track for the Beijing Olympics.
He wants to to create a combination of sounds from around the world, language is no barrier.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Memorial
The Israeli Foreign Minister, Silvan Shalom, has asked the organisers of the 2008 Beijing Olympics to commemorate the Israeli athletes murdered during the 1972 Munich Games.
Eleven members of the Israeli team were murdered in Munich in 1972 by terrorists.
Shalom made the request, to the Beijing Vice Mayor Liu Jingmin, on the basis of the $250M worth of construction work being done by Israeli companies for the 2008 Games.
Shalom has asked that the murders be mentioned and commemorated at the 2008 Games, for the first time.
Eleven members of the Israeli team were murdered in Munich in 1972 by terrorists.
Shalom made the request, to the Beijing Vice Mayor Liu Jingmin, on the basis of the $250M worth of construction work being done by Israeli companies for the 2008 Games.
Shalom has asked that the murders be mentioned and commemorated at the 2008 Games, for the first time.
Monday, November 08, 2004
Who Pays? You Do of Course!
It seems that the arrogance of Tessa Jowell, the British Minister in charge of Britain's bid to host the 2012 Olympics, knows no bounds.
When asked about the possibility of budget overruns, in the highly unlikely event that Britain gets to host the Games, she said that there would not be any.
Needless to say the idea of an Olympic budget, being managed by politicians, not being breached is of course pure fantasy.
When pressed on this rather obvious point, she tartly admitted that if it did go over budget then the overrun would be made up by increasing taxes.
I wonder when she will have the courtesy to ask the voters if they are happy with this arrangement?
When asked about the possibility of budget overruns, in the highly unlikely event that Britain gets to host the Games, she said that there would not be any.
Needless to say the idea of an Olympic budget, being managed by politicians, not being breached is of course pure fantasy.
When pressed on this rather obvious point, she tartly admitted that if it did go over budget then the overrun would be made up by increasing taxes.
I wonder when she will have the courtesy to ask the voters if they are happy with this arrangement?
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