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More hurdles to cross before London 2012 Olympics
Just like one African vulture that wouldn't find a home until it’s rainy, the January stormy wind, at last, whipped me into searching for an alternative job to my binman position at a Hertfordshire shopping centre.
Resolute by circumstance! So I looked into the recruitment section of a national newspaper. And whew, I bumped into a catchy advert placed by the London 2012 Organising Committee, seeking a Cultural Manager. Just follow-on to read the smooth diction of a probable copywriter whose attached message reads:
“The principal measure for London 2012’s success will be the most ambitious, inclusive and impactful cultural Olympiad ever. And an Olympiad in which culture and sports are integrated to create a uniquely powerful Games”
How so easy we can fall for the charm of such sweet sounding words, which is easier said than done. The successful hosting of the 27th Summer Olympics everyone is looking forward to witness is quite far off. For there are many problems to deal with in view of current developments – one of which Mayor Ken Livingstone had previously denied to no avail.
Just a day after London had won the bid came the first challenge of terrorism – in the name of 7th July bombings. Since then the budget for security has sought an increment of £550million in addition to the original £213million budgeted for, according to a report released last month. I hope MP's would not disagree with this cost as has been in the case where there is an on-going dispute as to which source the government should finance the added £900million bill for building the Olympic park.
Good luck to Tessa Jowell, Olympics minister and the various committees. As we pray that they get over with the debate on finding the £900million between council tax, National Lottery, and central government fund, let’s also consider the difficulties the London Development Agency (LDA) face in relocating the businesses and residents at the Olympic building sites.
I've observed that relocation and payouts to the affected businesses and individuals, as ruled by the Compulsory Purchase Order, has been the focus of the LDA in practice. Yet they admit that 'about 70 businesses may have trouble moving and some jobs may be lost as a result.'
If jobs may be lost in an East End area with an unemployment rate of 40%, then would the LDA consider training and recruitment of the affected people for the eleven thousand Olympic jobs to be created in their community? In the face of my question, it would be interesting to know that London won the bid partly because one of their key proposals was a promise of 'skills legacy' – designed to provide economic benefits for Londoners local to the Olympic region.
However the competition would be keen between Londoners and others – since EU law states that every public sector contract worth more than £100,000 has to be advertised in all 15member states. Leaving it open for firms that operate with cheap labour from Eastern Europe. I leave it to the London Chamber of Commerce to fix the puzzle.
When the money, land and job problems are solved; and all is set to lit the Olympic flame, host Great Britain would be expecting nothing but a good number of medals. This time, if words can quickly turn to action, I would embrace the convictions of Simon Clegg, the Chief Executive of the British Olympic Association (BOA). In the middle of last year, I heard Clegg at a launch saying, “BOA is committed to maximising the success of Team GB at the 2012Olympic Games.”
It is also encouraging to listen to David Brailford, the Performance Director of British Cycling. I was awed when he charged, “I spend 99.9% of my waking hours thinking about how we can win medals, and I have left no stone unturned.” Likewise the rest involved, like Kelly Holmes (with the Youth Sports Trust), are working hard to get us more than the 30 medals we had in Athens. More grease to their elbow.
I think the shadow of the 2012 dream is when Team GB won 13 gold, 20 silver and 14 bronze medals during a 4-day Australian Youth Olympic Festival in January. The UK School Games has been worthwhile. If you had no interest backing the bid, there’s a second chance to back, this time, the dream for a successful event. See you in the stands, cheering. Bye.
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