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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

olympic waste of money?

60 replies

TallDarkAndHandsome · 02/08/2012 19:39

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.

OP posts:

GlassofRose · 03/08/2012 01:17

I lost my job last year (in Newham, the host borough) due to a cut in funding for education.

As much as I'm enjoying watching the games, I do think the price on the national fun is a steep one for us Londoners to be paying for.

wherearemysocks · 03/08/2012 01:17

didn't actually answer your question, no don't think they are a waste of money, it is a great atmosphere around generally

Bedtime1 · 03/08/2012 01:47

Oh we are all paying for it not just Londoners.
I am enjoying the games, it's quite exciting. Today has been brilliant winning all those Golds, it makes you proud to be British. I really do think it can have a good impact on children, give them dreams and aspirations. It can also have an impact on adults, it might make you see you can do anything with your life if you try.

mayaswell · 03/08/2012 08:45

LOCOG is privately funded, not by taxpayers.

I know one persons experience isn't representative of a whole city but I watched a performance in a full theatre yesterday and had lunch on the Southbank which was as busy and fabulously entertaining as ever.

The predicted travel chaos hasn't happened so I guess this is going to be the headline.

laracroft2001 · 03/08/2012 08:48

I live next to the excel centre and this whole area has been totally rejuvenated. And it is very very busy every day. Local
Cafes and businesses are doing well....

Long term it will have a very positive effect on the economy. I believe a lot of shops central are quieter as the majority of middle east customers who normally visit at this time, and spend a lot of money, have gone to Paris this year to avoid the crowds

ajandjjmum · 03/08/2012 08:54

Also, isn't it Ramadan, so lots of the high spending customers won't be.

yellowraincoat · 03/08/2012 08:54

People might not be in the centre of London but there are plenty in east London spending cash.

There's nothing Pollyanna-ish about just wanting to enjoy something for once without going "oh woe, the money, the money."

I live in London and the atmosphere is great, people chat to each other in the parks watching the games, there's even more to do than usual, a lot of it free.

I am only working part time instead of full time because the summer school I work for doesn't have enough students - people were put off coming during the games because of the expense/crowds, I expect. But even though I'm out of pocket, I'm still having fun.

Maybe it will have long term positive impact, maybe negative. We just can't know.

Sallyingforth · 03/08/2012 11:19

LOCOG is privately funded, not by taxpayers.

Bollocks! Everyone living in London has been paying a surcharge on their Council Tax for the Olympics.

London taxpayers are contributing £1 billion to the £9.3 billion budget through a precept levied by the Greater London Authority.

maybenow · 03/08/2012 11:23

YABU because your thread title is not what you go on to say in your OP.

NO the Olympics are NOT a 'waste of money'.
No they are NOT an economic panacea.

There are more important things in life than the nation's GDP. Inequality is a huge issue in this country right now but as a whole country we have enough to cover our basic needs (if we wanted to distribute it differently).

TheReturnoftheSmartArse · 03/08/2012 11:31

Waswondering - Thistle hotels were advertising rooms in all their London hotels for £69 during the Olympics this morning. Does that help with your dream at all??

OTheHugeHammerThrower · 03/08/2012 11:34

Every single host country predicts the Olympic Games will bring in zillions. Every single time this turns out not to be the case. The Olympics are still brilliant.

In strictly utilitarian terms yes, it's a waste of money, but so are most nice things. Utilitarians are miserable gits

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 03/08/2012 12:40

From what I have seen this Olympics is doing a great job so far of leaving a legacy. The Cultural Olympiad projects that I have knowledge of are all brilliant, and they wouldn't exist if we didn't have the Olympics in London this year.

yellowraincoat · 03/08/2012 16:53

Sallyingforth, yeah we are paying extra (I read about 38p week per household) but we are also getting benefits. Brand new sports stadiums, better transport, all the cultural stuff that's going on, the big screens set up in the park...you may not be particularly interested, but then I'm not particularly interested in schools since I don't have kids or roads since I don't drive, but I still understand why I pay my tax.

4LoathesomeBrats · 03/08/2012 16:55

lol @ kinkyfuckery.

MarysBeard · 03/08/2012 17:02

Yes, it's a big hole in the ground to pour money into.

But I wouldn't have wanted them to go to Paris for all the money in the world.

Sallyingforth · 03/08/2012 18:09

Raincoat, yes I know that some areas have benefitted from 'legacy', and if you live in or visit them you are fortunate.
Of course many areas haven't, and a number of would-be lottery recipients have lost out.
My comment was simply to correct the erroneous statement that taxpayers hadn't paid.

yellowraincoat · 03/08/2012 18:11

But Sallyingforth, you can't seriously expect everyone to benefit from everything? And besides, everyone benefits from a more efficient transport network which we now have, plus all the free cultural stuff. Most going on in the centre, which is accessible to the majority in London.

Sallyingforth · 03/08/2012 19:18

No raincoat I don't expect everyone to benefit from everything.
It's inevitable that there will be winners and losers.

"My comment was simply to correct the erroneous statement that taxpayers hadn't paid."

yellowraincoat · 03/08/2012 19:19

Paying 38p per week isn't really too much of a strain though.

galletti · 03/08/2012 19:25

The streets of London are NOT empty! Bit quiet Monday and Tuesday, but getting much busier, and Oxford Street was heaving this evening, in a nice buzzy way with lots of tourists - maybe it just took a little time for people to settle down and then realise there is more to London that E20. I took a walk through some streets on Wednesday on my way to dinner, and the atmosphere was lovely, lots of people eating/drinking outside. I did wonder at the time what time did the photographers take the 'deserted streets' photos. Having said that, I do feel sorry for those street traders down in the East End who haven't had much business, but hopefully there will now be more publicity - lots of announcements on the tube today about 'Enjoy the rest of London etc'

yellowraincoat · 03/08/2012 19:27

They've closed down Stratford Westfield to everyone but ticket holders this weekend too, so that should get people westwards.

ajandjjmum · 06/08/2012 08:27

laracroft
You must be a neighbour of my DD!
Hasn't the Royal Docks area come alive - it's wonderful. Last night we all went for a meal, strolling along the Docks to the restaurant. It felt like we were on holiday.
I'm loving it. Ok there is the occasionally packed DLR or tube, but time your journeys, and it's absolutely fine. I had the quickest ever journey to Euston last week, due to the extra trains.

Bossybritches22 · 06/08/2012 08:46

Oh do fuck OFF all you whinging handwringers!

We've all had a bloody awful time recently & I for one am massively enjoying the brilliant atmosphere & seeing how well all Team GB are doing.

Some areas of London are quieter as many sensible folk have taken leave or are working from home, which helps make it much easier for the rest & visitors. I predict once the games are over there will be many many tourists who stay & enjoy not just London but all sorts of places in the UK that they may not have thought of visiting previously. I know of several families turning there Olympic visit into a mini- break & seeing the sights whilst there.

The organisation of the events ( a breath taking bit of logistics ) the facilities for the athletes etc have been wonderful-I know someone who's daughter has been involved as a competitor & says its as great behind the scenes as in front. The atmosphere & home crowd is so supportive for them & that HAS to have impacted on the successes.

We have at last some positive role models for our children, the atheletes have been modestly jubilant in victory and gracious in defeat. Yes some emotion but no histrionics just a quiet determination to do better next time & enjoyment of the opportunity to attend the event. They are people from all walks of life and their enthusiasm and dedication is touching and I am SO greatful for that alone.

There are downsides to every big event & yes they've cocked up on some bits, but have tried to rectify those swiftly and overall they've done a FAB job, so lets appreciate and enjoy the rest of the show and stop with the negativity for a short time eh?

Bossybritches22 · 06/08/2012 08:49

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 06/08/2012 08:55

No they are not a waste of money.

A huge proportion of the cash for the Games has come from private investment, so it isn't like the same amount of money would have been available to spend on other projects.

The investment in transport was badly needed and will help the economy, plus all the jobs that were needed to build the Olympic Park and the other venues.

The biggest hope has to be that our children will be encouraged to go out and participate in sport and be fit and healthy for their whole lives, thereby saving the NHS billions over the coming decades.

Also, how bloody fabulous has it all been to watch?!

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