Saturday, June 10, 2006
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Cutbacks
It seems that the expected cost overruns of the 2012 London Olympics have spurred the organisers to try to cut back on some of their plans.
The revised blueprint for the Games include changes made to reduce the risk of the budget spiralling out of control, and to ensure that the local community benefits from facilities after the Games are over.
The plan for the Stratford site, is now based on a smaller area than originally envisaged with less ambitious landscaping.
Lord Coe said:
"We have a compact and exciting site which crucially works for the community after the games have gone."
Given the money shortage, more space has been allocated to corporate sponsors in the central part of the Olympic park They will be asked to cough up more sponsorship money for the Games.
The Olympic Delivery Authority claim that the changes were not primarily money motivated.
Well of course they are!
The revised blueprint for the Games include changes made to reduce the risk of the budget spiralling out of control, and to ensure that the local community benefits from facilities after the Games are over.
The plan for the Stratford site, is now based on a smaller area than originally envisaged with less ambitious landscaping.
Lord Coe said:
"We have a compact and exciting site which crucially works for the community after the games have gone."
Given the money shortage, more space has been allocated to corporate sponsors in the central part of the Olympic park They will be asked to cough up more sponsorship money for the Games.
The Olympic Delivery Authority claim that the changes were not primarily money motivated.
Well of course they are!
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
China Sows The Seeds of The Olympics
As part of its preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China has turned its eyes towards the weather; it is very concerned that Beijing is enduring a 7 year drought and has been plagued by dust storms.
In order to fight back against the forces of nature, China will "seed" the clouds with rockets and chemical pellets to try to make it rain.
Not only will this, if it works, alleviate the drought, it will also clear the pollution.
It is in fact the tradition in Beijing to seed the clouds before public holidays.
As to whether it will work or not, only time will tell.
In order to fight back against the forces of nature, China will "seed" the clouds with rockets and chemical pellets to try to make it rain.
Not only will this, if it works, alleviate the drought, it will also clear the pollution.
It is in fact the tradition in Beijing to seed the clouds before public holidays.
As to whether it will work or not, only time will tell.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Beijing Cleans Up
As Beijing prepares to host the 2008 Olympic Games, it is making plans to clean up the city. Specifically it will try to eliminate drugs, prostitution and under-aged drinking in city bars and dance halls.
Venues will be rated A, B, or C following joint inspections carried out by city police, commerce and cultural authorities.
Vice police chief He Angang said:
"By the 2008 Olympic Games, the city's entertainment spots will be drug free, that is our goal."
If the Chinese manage this feat, they should tell the secret of their success to the rest of the world.
Oddly, the new rules will not affect bath houses and massage parlors.
Venues will be rated A, B, or C following joint inspections carried out by city police, commerce and cultural authorities.
Vice police chief He Angang said:
"By the 2008 Olympic Games, the city's entertainment spots will be drug free, that is our goal."
If the Chinese manage this feat, they should tell the secret of their success to the rest of the world.
Oddly, the new rules will not affect bath houses and massage parlors.
Monday, June 05, 2006
The Duke of Edinburgh Vents His Spleen
The Duke of Edinburgh vented his spleen the other day, on the subject of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics.
He described the opening and closing ceremonies as "bloody nuisances", and called for them to be banned.
Warming to his theme, he said that the opening and closing ceremonies destroy the spirit of the games; it is about competition and not extravaganza.
Quote:
"They ought to be banned. They are a pain in the neck."
He also said that he hoped to do "as little as possible" during the 2012 Olympics in London, by which time he will be 91 years old.
I fully agree with the Duke, in fact I would go one stage further; ban the Games entirely, they are a complete waste of time and money and are most certainly nothing to do with good sportsmanship.
He described the opening and closing ceremonies as "bloody nuisances", and called for them to be banned.
Warming to his theme, he said that the opening and closing ceremonies destroy the spirit of the games; it is about competition and not extravaganza.
Quote:
"They ought to be banned. They are a pain in the neck."
He also said that he hoped to do "as little as possible" during the 2012 Olympics in London, by which time he will be 91 years old.
I fully agree with the Duke, in fact I would go one stage further; ban the Games entirely, they are a complete waste of time and money and are most certainly nothing to do with good sportsmanship.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Distribution Deal Announced
ProLogis, a US provider of distribution facilities and services, has announced that an industrial park it is developing in China will be used as the main logistics and distribution centre for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
ProLogis Park Beijing Airport has been designated as the official distribution site for Olympics-related equipment and material by the Beijing Olympics Organising Committee.
The 100,332 square metre site will also be used for warehousing, light assembly and administration of logistics operations.
ProLogis Park Beijing Airport has been designated as the official distribution site for Olympics-related equipment and material by the Beijing Olympics Organising Committee.
The 100,332 square metre site will also be used for warehousing, light assembly and administration of logistics operations.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Beijing Drought
Beijing is currently suffering its worst drought in 50 years, and is likely to continue to face this problem when it hosts the 2008 Olympic Games.
Beijing is the driest major city in the world, with average water resources per person one-thirtieth of the world's , and faces a water shortage of 1.1 billion cubic metres in 2008.
Ma Weifang, a state environmental official, said that conservation could help ensure that the situation does not become critical.
One other headache for the authorities is a report that appeared on Tuesday in the state media, that said that the Yangtze river, which may well supply Beijing with emergency water during the Games, was "cancerous" with pollution and could die within five years.
The old adage, when abroad don't drink the water, springs to mind!
Beijing is the driest major city in the world, with average water resources per person one-thirtieth of the world's , and faces a water shortage of 1.1 billion cubic metres in 2008.
Ma Weifang, a state environmental official, said that conservation could help ensure that the situation does not become critical.
One other headache for the authorities is a report that appeared on Tuesday in the state media, that said that the Yangtze river, which may well supply Beijing with emergency water during the Games, was "cancerous" with pollution and could die within five years.
The old adage, when abroad don't drink the water, springs to mind!
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
China Bans Smoking
It seems that the anti smoking movement has even managed to score a success with one of the world's heaviest smoking nations, China.
It has been announced that for the duration of the Olympics, smoking will be banned; in the Olympic areas at least.
Beijing will ban smoking on public transport and indoor workplaces.
The Health Ministry said:
"Let a smokeless games provide healthy competition, a healthy environment and a healthy lifestyle."
The ministry said that facilities serving children would be the first to get a no-smoking ban.
Quite how they manage to enforce this in a nation of 350 smokers, will be anyone's guess!
It has been announced that for the duration of the Olympics, smoking will be banned; in the Olympic areas at least.
Beijing will ban smoking on public transport and indoor workplaces.
The Health Ministry said:
"Let a smokeless games provide healthy competition, a healthy environment and a healthy lifestyle."
The ministry said that facilities serving children would be the first to get a no-smoking ban.
Quite how they manage to enforce this in a nation of 350 smokers, will be anyone's guess!
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Annan Visits Olympic Stadium
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and his wife accompanied by Liu Qi, president of the Beijing Organising Committee for the 2008 Olympics visited the main stadium for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing yesterday.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Smog
Beijing is in the process of drawing up contingency plans to lessen its traffic and smog during the 2008 Olympics.
Jiang Xiaoyu, a vice president of the Beijing Olympic organising committee, said that the plans were needed to augment long-term strategies to improve road and air conditions and ensure that the Games were a success.
Lanes on some city roads will be designated for Olympic vehicles only, and cars will also be banned.
Jiang said:
"We're striving to achieve better air quality by the 2008 Games to welcome the athletes and the Olympic family."
Beijing's roads are often clogged with traffic, and a brown haze hangs in the air.
Ironically during the IOC inspectors' visit this week, there was a heavy sandstorm and the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau recorded severely polluted air in the capital.
Hein Verbruggen, the head of the IOC's coordination committee, ignored the pollution and (refering to the venue construction) said:
"You can't think of any other word than stunning."
Jiang Xiaoyu, a vice president of the Beijing Olympic organising committee, said that the plans were needed to augment long-term strategies to improve road and air conditions and ensure that the Games were a success.
Lanes on some city roads will be designated for Olympic vehicles only, and cars will also be banned.
Jiang said:
"We're striving to achieve better air quality by the 2008 Games to welcome the athletes and the Olympic family."
Beijing's roads are often clogged with traffic, and a brown haze hangs in the air.
Ironically during the IOC inspectors' visit this week, there was a heavy sandstorm and the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau recorded severely polluted air in the capital.
Hein Verbruggen, the head of the IOC's coordination committee, ignored the pollution and (refering to the venue construction) said:
"You can't think of any other word than stunning."
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Pathetic!
There is one constant associated with the Olympics, that can always be guaranteed, namely that the costs originally budgeted will always be overshot.
It seems that the politicians and construction companies, that get their greedy little snouts into the Olympic trough, are simply not capable of telling the truth when it comes to budgets.
It should therefore come as no surprise to learn that the costs of the London 2012 Olympics are already spiraling out of control.
The British government admitted yesterday that the cost of staging the 2012 Olympics in London will be £500M more than stated in the original bid.
Pathetic!
The cost is now estimated to be around £2BN.
Seemingly the financial "wizards" who put together the budget forgot to allow for inflation from 2004 to 2102.
Again, pathetic!
Liberal Democrat spokesman, Vince Cable, said that it showed "total chaos" at the heart of the project.
Quote:
"How they got into such a complete muddle about an important part of the costing of the Games, why they got this so wrong, is a mystery."
Seemingly the London Olympic Organizing Committee (LOCOG), which is responsible for putting on the Games, were always aware that the costs would go up.
I wonder why they didn't mention it to anyone?
Needless to say, the organisers and politicians who saddled us with this unecessary waste of money are claiming that the extra costs will be covered by ticket sales and marketing rights.
Well they would say that, wouldn't they?
As sure as eggs are eggs, the eventual costs of these games will massively exceed the current estimate of £2BN.
It seems that the politicians and construction companies, that get their greedy little snouts into the Olympic trough, are simply not capable of telling the truth when it comes to budgets.
It should therefore come as no surprise to learn that the costs of the London 2012 Olympics are already spiraling out of control.
The British government admitted yesterday that the cost of staging the 2012 Olympics in London will be £500M more than stated in the original bid.
Pathetic!
The cost is now estimated to be around £2BN.
Seemingly the financial "wizards" who put together the budget forgot to allow for inflation from 2004 to 2102.
Again, pathetic!
Liberal Democrat spokesman, Vince Cable, said that it showed "total chaos" at the heart of the project.
Quote:
"How they got into such a complete muddle about an important part of the costing of the Games, why they got this so wrong, is a mystery."
Seemingly the London Olympic Organizing Committee (LOCOG), which is responsible for putting on the Games, were always aware that the costs would go up.
I wonder why they didn't mention it to anyone?
Needless to say, the organisers and politicians who saddled us with this unecessary waste of money are claiming that the extra costs will be covered by ticket sales and marketing rights.
Well they would say that, wouldn't they?
As sure as eggs are eggs, the eventual costs of these games will massively exceed the current estimate of £2BN.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Olympic War Breaks Out
Politicians are never shy when trying to claim credit for something, and attach their names to what they perceive will be a success; in truth they are seeking a monument to their personal and political ambitions.
The London Olympics in 2012 offers such a monument, and both the Tory and Labour Parties have been working hard to ensure that their names are associated with this event.
The Labour Party, under the guidance of Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, exploited the Olympics repeatedly in its local election campaign. She cited the Games in a campaign email, a speech and a party election broadcast.
Needless to say, the voting public were not so easily swayed, after all the Games are costing a small fortune in increased council taxes; Labour received a total "drubbing" in the polls.
Now the Tories are making vociferous complaints about the "betrayal" of the cross-party consensus on the Games, and the use by Labour of the Games for its own ends.
A cynic might observe that is now exactly what the Tories are doing, by making such vociferous complaints.
The London Olympics in 2012 offers such a monument, and both the Tory and Labour Parties have been working hard to ensure that their names are associated with this event.
The Labour Party, under the guidance of Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, exploited the Olympics repeatedly in its local election campaign. She cited the Games in a campaign email, a speech and a party election broadcast.
Needless to say, the voting public were not so easily swayed, after all the Games are costing a small fortune in increased council taxes; Labour received a total "drubbing" in the polls.
Now the Tories are making vociferous complaints about the "betrayal" of the cross-party consensus on the Games, and the use by Labour of the Games for its own ends.
A cynic might observe that is now exactly what the Tories are doing, by making such vociferous complaints.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Tight Olympic Timetable
The timetable for the preparations for the London 2012 Olympics is "extremely tight", according to submissions made to the public inquiry into the compulsory purchase orders for land in Stratfod (the London site of the Games).
David Higgins, chief executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), said that no building work could begin on the East London Olympic Park until all the land needed is in public control.
Many firms and residents are fighting eviction from the Lower Lea Valley. They fear that they are being ripped off, in the push to acquire the land.
Higgins said:
"There is a considerable amount of work to carry out, let alone work commencing on the major facilities.
The timetable is extremely tight, and for the facilities to be completed for commissioning and test events from mid-2011, the land must be in the control of the LDA (London Development Agency) and the ODA by the summer of 2007 at the latest."
Gareth Blacker, the director of development for the London Development Agency which must get hold of the land, told the inquiry:
"We are still negotiating with the other landowners in the Olympic zone and continuing to try and make agreements with them."
The inquiry will make a recommendation to the trade and industry secretary, who will make a decision on the compulsory purchase orders.
If they are confirmed, the LDA will serve notice on all owners, leaseholders, tenants and occupiers.
I think it fair to say that the political pressure, behind the scenes, will ensure that the Olympic juggernaut rides roughshod over the rights of the individuals who are currently objecting to the purchase orders.
David Higgins, chief executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), said that no building work could begin on the East London Olympic Park until all the land needed is in public control.
Many firms and residents are fighting eviction from the Lower Lea Valley. They fear that they are being ripped off, in the push to acquire the land.
Higgins said:
"There is a considerable amount of work to carry out, let alone work commencing on the major facilities.
The timetable is extremely tight, and for the facilities to be completed for commissioning and test events from mid-2011, the land must be in the control of the LDA (London Development Agency) and the ODA by the summer of 2007 at the latest."
Gareth Blacker, the director of development for the London Development Agency which must get hold of the land, told the inquiry:
"We are still negotiating with the other landowners in the Olympic zone and continuing to try and make agreements with them."
The inquiry will make a recommendation to the trade and industry secretary, who will make a decision on the compulsory purchase orders.
If they are confirmed, the LDA will serve notice on all owners, leaseholders, tenants and occupiers.
I think it fair to say that the political pressure, behind the scenes, will ensure that the Olympic juggernaut rides roughshod over the rights of the individuals who are currently objecting to the purchase orders.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
The Sewage Olympics
New York has managed to host the Olympics, not the Olympic Games but the Sewage Treatment Olympics.
Four teams competed to win the 19th Annual Sewage Olympics. They performed simulated drills that included; retrieving someone from a manhole, testing air quality in a makeshift sewer, fixing a broken sewer pipe and repairing a waste treatment pump.
The event was sponsored by the New York Water Environment Association and the Department of Environmental Protection.
The winners this year were the Bowery Bay Boys.
It is good to see an Olympic event that actually adds value.
Four teams competed to win the 19th Annual Sewage Olympics. They performed simulated drills that included; retrieving someone from a manhole, testing air quality in a makeshift sewer, fixing a broken sewer pipe and repairing a waste treatment pump.
The event was sponsored by the New York Water Environment Association and the Department of Environmental Protection.
The winners this year were the Bowery Bay Boys.
It is good to see an Olympic event that actually adds value.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
The Green Olympics
The authorities in Beijing are working hard to ensure that the 2008 Olympics will be seen to be green.
In July and August Beijing suffers from very high temperatures, and is short of flowers. That is not deterring the Beijing Municipal Gardening and Forestation Bureau, who are aiming to transform Beijing into a city "shrouded in green and wreathed with flowers".
The Bureau claim that they have developed ways to enable thousands of flowers, such as chrysanthemums, Chinese roses and other homegrown flowers, to prolong their fluorescence throughout summer.
They are also studying ways of transplanting green trees from forests in the suburbs to the downtown venues for the Olympic Games, including spraying powder to protect their roots and planting them in special containers.
The bureau is also taking to concept of green quite literally, by carrying out a "green roof" project; which involves planting green plants on the top of buildings, less than 12 storeys high, along the main roads of Beijing and beside the Olympic venues.
It is expected that 80,000 to 100,000 square metres of roofs will have plants by the end of this year; by 2008, it will be 300,000 square metres
In July and August Beijing suffers from very high temperatures, and is short of flowers. That is not deterring the Beijing Municipal Gardening and Forestation Bureau, who are aiming to transform Beijing into a city "shrouded in green and wreathed with flowers".
The Bureau claim that they have developed ways to enable thousands of flowers, such as chrysanthemums, Chinese roses and other homegrown flowers, to prolong their fluorescence throughout summer.
They are also studying ways of transplanting green trees from forests in the suburbs to the downtown venues for the Olympic Games, including spraying powder to protect their roots and planting them in special containers.
The bureau is also taking to concept of green quite literally, by carrying out a "green roof" project; which involves planting green plants on the top of buildings, less than 12 storeys high, along the main roads of Beijing and beside the Olympic venues.
It is expected that 80,000 to 100,000 square metres of roofs will have plants by the end of this year; by 2008, it will be 300,000 square metres
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