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So the carnival begins
http://x404.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=16401		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  HeatherKay [ Thu May 10, 2012 10:01 am ]
Post subject:  So the carnival begins
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18002760

Apparently, they've had to relight the flame once already. I hope it survives the dousing it'll get once it arrives here in Blighty.

Quote:
Lord Coe told assembled Greek and Olympic dignitaries and a crowd gathered on the slopes of the stadium: "We are reminded this morning of sport's enduring and universal appeal, and the timeless Olympic values that transcend history and geography; values which, I believe, in these challenging times are more relevant than at any time before and particularly to young people the world over.

"In 1948, shortly after the Second World War, my predecessor stood where I am today and made the first tentative steps in turning the world from war to sport.

"We find ourselves in challenging times again and turn to sport once more to connect the world in a global celebration of achievement and inspiration."


In other words, eat plenty of Maccy Ds and drink plenty of Cola, because our sponsors want you to spend your money and make them even richer.

The whole Lympic thing has become an expensive charade, in my opinion. The whole flame relay thing was introduced by the Nazis in the 1936 games, and the idea of a "pure flame" only started in the modern games in Amsterdam 1928. Hardly ancient traditions either of them. :roll:
Author:  Zippy [ Thu May 10, 2012 10:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: So the carnival begins
How are they going to carry a lit torch on a plane from Greece? Have they chartered a flight which isn't subject to the usual rules and checks? are they carrying it in a smll paper bag? Is it going on a commercial airliner and does it need it's own seat? :?:
Author:  HeatherKay [ Thu May 10, 2012 10:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: So the carnival begins
I think they probably have a special container, like the miner's Davey lamp in reverse.

Either that or it's carried internally by a LOCOG official...
Author:  paulzolo [ Thu May 10, 2012 11:00 am ]
Post subject:  So the carnival begins
There's football too this year. Another marketing event with some sport going on in the background.
Author:  HeatherKay [ Thu May 10, 2012 11:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: So the carnival begins
paulzolo wrote:
There's football too this year. Another marketing event with some sport going on in the background.


^^ This.

All of this shenanigans has so little to do with actual sport any more it's become a joke.

I believe the main entrance to the Lympic park is through one of the biggest retail outlets in Europe. Two of the biggest sponsors of the event are MacDonalds and Coca Cola - both paens to healthy living.

It's an expensive farce.
Author:  JJW009 [ Thu May 10, 2012 12:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: So the carnival begins
HeatherKay wrote:
I think they probably have a special container, like the miner's Davey lamp in reverse.

I think you over-thought that. Exactly like a Davey Lamp, nothing reverse about it! I rather like the idea and I hope it's true :lol:
Author:  HeatherKay [ Thu May 10, 2012 12:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: So the carnival begins
JJW009 wrote:
HeatherKay wrote:
I think they probably have a special container, like the miner's Davey lamp in reverse.

I think you over-thought that. Exactly like a Davey Lamp, nothing reverse about it! I rather like the idea and I hope it's true :lol:


You knew what I meant, though.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7327079.stm

I thought the torch burned some mystical essence of virgins or elite athletes. Apparently, it's just a propane burner. :cry:
Author:  oceanicitl [ Thu May 10, 2012 1:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: So the carnival begins
Heather you seem to be having a 'rant about Olympics day' :)
Author:  jonbwfc [ Thu May 10, 2012 2:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: So the carnival begins
paulzolo wrote:
There's football too this year. Another marketing event with some sport going on in the background.

Actually, in this particular case I would somewhat disagree. The football world cup does indeed vie with the Olympics for the title of 'worldwide sporting event that exists mainly to further fill the purses of global corporations and unelected (in any real sense) fat cats' but the European championships are much less so. There will be sponsors but it's much less up front and UEFA aren't quite as scurrilous a body as FIFA or the IOC. Mainly because they have the UEFA champions league as a massive cash cow, so don't feel the need to rapaciously commercialise their summer tournament rather than through any commitment to a sporting ideal, but nevertheless it's so. The European (football) championships are actually much more about 'the sport' than the Olympics or the world cup.

Not that it'll be any better for someone who does't care for them of course - it's still four hours a day of stuff you don't really care about clogging up the telly. But then, I could say the same about soap operas....

Jon
Author:  paulzolo [ Thu May 10, 2012 2:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: So the carnival begins
HeatherKay wrote:
paulzolo wrote:
There's football too this year. Another marketing event with some sport going on in the background.


^^ This.

All of this shenanigans has so little to do with actual sport any more it's become a joke.

I believe the main entrance to the Lympic park is through one of the biggest retail outlets in Europe.


Yes it is - Westfield in Stratford. I went there (other half’s school were taking visitors there en route to the Globe Theatre) a few weeks back. It’s a massive shopping centre full of clothes shops, and the usual suspects.
Author:  oceanicitl [ Thu May 10, 2012 3:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: So the carnival begins
And they're trying to make it sound posh

STRATFORD CITY!!!

It all horlicks if you ask me but I can't complain as my train line is on the Stratford line so they've done up my station. And the Stansted trains are rather nice now.
Author:  HeatherKay [ Thu May 10, 2012 3:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: So the carnival begins
oceanicitl wrote:
Heather you seem to be having a 'rant about Olympics day' :)


I've been ranting on and off since London had the misfortune to be awarded the games in 2005. Anyone with eyes could see it was going to be expensive and leave no legacy worth the name.

The running, jumping and standing still bits are very much a sideshow to the rampant capitalism as far as I can see, never mind the ramped up "security" supposedly to protect us from "terrorists".

I'm ranting again. I'll go and lie down. :lol:
Author:  oceanicitl [ Thu May 10, 2012 3:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: So the carnival begins
HeatherKay wrote:

I'm ranting again. I'll go and lie down. :lol:


Want a cup of tea?
Author:  HeatherKay [ Thu May 10, 2012 3:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: So the carnival begins
oceanicitl wrote:
Want a cup of tea?


Ooh, please. Milk, no sugar, ta. Any bourbons? :D
Author:  ProfessorF [ Thu May 10, 2012 5:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: So the carnival begins
I was staying in Stratford last week.
What a hole.
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