July 28, 2012

London's Ambitious Olympics

The Economist, The Economist

AP Photo

WHEN London unexpectedly beat Paris in the competition to hold the 2012 Olympic games, crowds cheered, the stock market soared and politicians congratulated themselves. But Britain is a nation of self-deprecating cynics. Even on the day of the successful bid in 2005, some commentators were carping about the cost of the games and the likelihood of disruption and transport problems. A rather good BBC sitcom, “Twenty Twelve”, pokes fun at bureaucratic absurdities and snafus: in the final episode, aired on July 24th, the Olympic Deliverance Commission realises that the opening ceremony’s fireworks will trigger the surface-to-air missiles that guard the site. The solution? Virtual fireworks.

Read Full Article ››

TAGGED: London, UK, 2012 Summer Olympics

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

July 23, 2012
Protecting Israel at the Olympic Games
Jerusalem Post
The 30th Olympic Games of the modern era kick off in London on Friday and the Israeli delegation of 37 athletes competing in eight sports has already arrived. Unfortunately, the excitement in Israel surrounding the Games has... more ››
July 27, 2012
Cameron, Not Romney, Offends
Daniel W. Drezner
American commentators want to focus on what Romney said, but it strikes me as pretty anodyne.... Cameron's comments, on the other hand, strike me as pretty offensive. more ››
July 27, 2012
What Will the World Make of Boris?
Rosa Prince, Daily Telegraph
It's four years since Boris Johnson first came to the world’s attention at the closing ceremony for the Beijing Games. Since then he’s become a national treasure – and a global superstar. more ››
July 28, 2012
Grimy, Chaotic - London at Its Finest
Charles Moore, Daily Telegraph
Exactly 350 years before yesterday’s Olympic opening ceremony, on July 27 1662, Samuel Pepys took his wife by water from the City to Westminster. From there, she went off to say goodbye to her father, “and I to walk... more ››