Source: The Guardian

As London begins to plan for the Winter Olympics in 2012 what can chairman Seb Coe learn now from Vancouver’s Winter games set backs and upsets to prepare for his city’s opportunity to play host to the biggest sporting event on TV?

Some of the issues that have plagued the games’ organizers – such as the warm weather that led to convoys of lorries ferrying snow from higher ground and prompted refunds for 8,000 spectators – have been (largely) out of their hands. Others, such as the glitches that beset the opening ceremony, the home team’s brazen mission statement to “own the podium”, and the creaky transport system, have not. And then there is the furious debate surrounding the death in training of Georgian luger Nodar ­Kumaritashvili.

The repercussions for both Vancouver and the International Olympic Committee could be severe. Estimates put the cost of the games at CAN$6bn (£3.6bn), and the race to host the 2018 edition features just three bidders, the lowest number since 1988. The host broadcaster, NBC, stands to lose $200m on televising these games, so future sponsorship could suffer.

Skating By
These figures don’t entirely reflect the costs of any extra security that may or may not have to be employed, including hardware such as crowd control barricades, police forces, and part time security check personnel. The costs of putting on the Olympic games in winter is probably going to have the British crossing every “T” and dotting every “I” over the next couple of years, right down to the type of ice floor cover they use to protect their rinks leading up to the game.

The twin specters of the Montreal Olympics of 1976 and the 1996 Atlanta games hang over Vancouver. Montreal was left bankrupt, facing financial repercussions that lasted three decades. The Atlanta games, often cited as the worst in history, are remembered for a bomb attack, compounded by a host of other logistical problems.

Things are not quite that bad yet. But while London 2012 organizers insist they are planning for every eventuality, what they have seen in Vancouver will surely have made them redouble those efforts.

_______________________________________

My Take: Here’s my theory on what London should and shouldn’t be doing now to prepare for the 2012 games. First of all, they might want to think about ramping up their use of metal detection equipment in and around the site for obvious reasons. London is no Vancouver, and it is for all intents and purposes, one of the major hubs for international flights, including flights coming in and out of Pakistan, Turkey, Greece, and other portions of the Middle East. No metal detector alone is going to keep the games safe, but these games will need a lot of extra security protections in place before I’d be willing to attend. As much as I love the sexy costumes they wear in the skating competitions, and downhill skiing and snow boarding competitions, I’d be pretty nervous about flying in to London and this reporter here is on target when he says that the 2012 London games hosts and organizers have their hands full in rethinking not just how they will handle security issues, but all the other issues he mentioned.

Speaking of costumes, I’m thinking that we’re going to be seeing a lot of ware wolf Halloween costume picks this year given all the hoopla over the new Benicio Del Torro film “The Wolfman.” Nothing like a good monster to create a buzz, right? I’m betting a close contender will be characters from Percy Jackon’s “The Lighting Thief” as well. As a joke, Hades costumes could be a riot up against a gang of folks dressed up in fire resistant jackets. Not that flame resistant clothing would be fun to walk around in all night, but at least it would protect you from falling candles.

———————————————————–

Other Resources

Spring Cleaning

Halloween is a long way off, but spring is just around the corner.  If you’re searching for the best Arlington carpet cleaning Fairfax, or Virginia cleaning services Fairfax company, you should make sure to get references from workers before you bring them into your home.  Find out where they have worked before and for how long, and, most importantly, if they are trustworthy and reliable; the two most critical things you want in a cleaning service, right?