olympic waste of money?

[TallDarkAndHandsome]

Am I the only one who suspects that the Olympic games are a huge waste of money? Data is now emerging to suggest that the streets of London are empty. The seats at the games are empty.the whole thing was supposed to bring in 18 billions...seriously?

Why don't we just say lets have fun and enjoy sport for what it is and stop pretending? I feel for all the good many charities which have seen their government support cut to zero because of the games.

Well the millennium stadium was packed last night so was the streets of Cardiff, 14 extra trains was put on and still that wasn't enough

Yes, you are the ONLY one to think that. No-one has EVER expressed that view before.

I doubt very much that the games are responsible for cuts in charities' funding.

The Olympics cost money? Why did I not hear of this?

I'm enjoying it. Most things are a waste of money, golf courses, iphones, alcohol, ipods, tennis courts you name it someone else will think it's a waste of money. Only food and water are exempt, and even then people will argue about which foods are a waste of money.

I think people looking the Olympics to deliver some kind of economic miracle to turn us around after the worst recession for 100 years are fooling themselves.

barrr humbug

Salad items are a waste of money you are full for 5 minutes then starving again lol

The seats at the games are empty

I think these are the allocated VIP seats, as far as I have seen the general public are filling their seats.

It's true. I saw a programme on Channel 4 saying how some charities were funded by the Big Lottery Fund prior to the Olympics. Well they have been left completely dry s the Olympics have "borrowed" that funding and it won't have to be repaid till 2020...Erm, like the charities are still going to be around then...

Well, the ones of who have not read the news should do so. Like I said we should enjoy the games and I am happy some of you are. But again, lets nit fool ourselves thinking that we are going to get a huge economy boost because if them. And yes, they cost money. And yes, because so mu honey has gone there a lot less has gone towards important charities.

Tbh I am sick to death of worrying over money, I am enjoying the Olympics it something I can do for free and the dc are enjoying watching the swimming and rowing ect I bet I am not the only one

Every time I complain about the huge cost of the Olympics someone tells me I'm wrong because it will bring in lots of trade. Yet the shops are empty. Where is all this profitable trade?

All the Pollyanna's bleating about let's enjoy it, it's here now there's nothing we can do, need to regain some perspective and say "Oi politicians, no, we are not happy with your spunking money on this sort of boswellox!"

WHY DID NO ONE TELL US! ahhhh!
but why should it make money? it is sport, I hear bleating about taxes wasted and on the other side the corporate profiteering, somewhere someone is making money, trust me, and if it is someone will have a job further down the pecking order, it might not show on a governmental bottom line.
Money has been spent, contractors paid, they pay their employees, they paid their mortgages, went on holiday, sent children to day care, went to lego land.
here is an amazing fact about the UK Olympics, one I can't believe hasn't been heralded, but it is a good story, so there for not interesting to the British press, this is the first Olympic park to be constructed without a death due to a workplace accident, well was of March this year.

haven't checked since March, not that there has been one since.

Economic benefit to hosting the games comes prior to the event (construction etc) and in the five year period afterwards (tourism).

The Times reported yesterday that hotels and restaurants have seen significantly reduced takings since the games began, as usual visitors and business people avoid the expected traffic chaos, but that bookings are significantly up for September (so people are delaying their visits rather than cancelling).

None of the pubs / restaurants / chip shops / traders / car park owners near the football stadiums seem to be complaining....

Oh I'm loving it and blow the expense is what I say!! Am worried really but as someone said up thread it is here now so we may as well make the most of it and cheer ourselves up. We can worry about the financial implications afterwards .

twitch

Moan about it later if you must bloody miseries
STFU while it's on. I love it!

I'm torn.

Always have been very wary of the promises surrounding the Olympics. I don't believe the area is going to benefit from this long term and it has caused some short term disruptions and inconveniences for locals.

The silly "get ahead of the games" campaigns have made London a ghost town - My father is a black cabbie and managed to take a grand total of £50 yesterday... would sound okay except that's just covering the cost of filling up his diesel tank and he has £250 a week cab rental.

On the other hand, I'm loving the games, wishing I had tickets going insane trying to get some off the website

I am loving it too. It is a brilliant showcase for London as the venues and views are amazing.

I was worried before the event that it would be a huge waste of money but now it is on I say hang the expense, the whole thing is magnificent.

The Olympics is fun and I am loving it. I couldn't care less what it costs, you can't put a price on National Fun.

Also, London is buzzing at the moment and so are the other host boroughs ime.

I run a pub and restaurant quite near one of the venues not in the Olympic park, we have been busier, not massively busier but noticeably so.

Though I have also noticed when taking dd to nursery in the morning there are definitely a lot less commuters/workers around, definitely a lot of people either took holidays or are working from home.

I popped up to Oxford St this afternoon too and that was probably about the same as it would normally be for mid-week, imo anyway.