And the winner of the Olympic bid is..........................................

[MarsLady]

LONDON

do you really hate all sport, aloha?

even the gymnastics?

even the silly swim-dancing?

even the 5 a side cross country apple ducking?

I'm not devil's advocating, I really don't get it. But I have to go now, will come back later.

Apologies for p*ing on everyone's fireworks but thanks for an interersting discussion!

I am so glad I previewed before posting the long list I had typed - almost identical to Blu's post

NO WAY!!!!!!!!!

that's ok www... piss away!

Sadly there's no evidence either fro Barcelona or Sydney that hosting the games has a knock on effect in terms of fitness or participation in sport. But I have surprised myself in my own lack of cynicism about it all. I think it is a great opportunity - agree with Wilbur and Blu's posts particularly on this thread. I am looking forward to 7 years of carping from the media about what a pigs ear it's all turning into and collective navel gazing and self doubt about our ability to pull this off! All of which will vanish when we actually get to the opening ceremony when even the eyes of the doubters will be (grudgingly) moist.

I hate all sport too and I'm off to the moon with Aloha. If we're not all under 200 foot of water by then because of global warming

I don't see what liking sport has to do with it, tbh. I am not the slightest bit interested in the 100m or whatever, but still think this is worth jumping up and down in glee about.

Do it, Aloha - for the amount you could rent your house out for, you could afford it!

Hotel, B&B, private rental rates went through the roof for the duration of games in Athens.

I'm going to rent a room in our house at LOW rates for the relatives of athletes who can't afford commercial rates and would therefore miss their loved-ones performance.

The cycling running marathon will deffo be free

I don't know about the football

Ok so you can't afford to take them swimming but what about running

Could they join a running club?

Am sure that some clubs for sports would be free or very very little money

If one of your children turned out to be the next Kelly Holmes you would be in favour then wouldn't you?

She was just an ordinary girl from Kent with a deffo brill talent

If it was held in Birmingham would that make any difference?

Oh, I know, shouldn't get my knickers in a twist about a MN thread!

Just once in my life, I would like to be unashamedly proud of my country, to have the world's eyes upon us for something positive and for my children and I to experience a once in a lifetime event on our doorstep. If it inspires our children to get off the sofa, that can only be a good thing, surely?

The attitudes I find astounding are those who think the project is doomed before the ink is dry on the contract.

i'm really not sophable. i despise sport generally but do not beleive watching people running about on tv will make anyone thinner - football supporters provide ample evidence of that methinks and it will cost billions.
we may be transformed to wonder nation, but doubt it

And oh shit, shit, shit for your friend Snafu, she must be CROSS!

But kids ALWAYS want to be gymnasts once they have seen it in the olympics, and join clubs. Not us adults, i agree!

but your ds will still be v excited tho............and dd........

I really am going now! But I will be back later, I am genuinely bewildered and fascinated to read the views on this!

No it wouldn't make a diff if it were in brum honestly.

I agree dd's love the gymnastics and will watch that, but they would of where ever it was.

www, she loves the east end and wanted the Games, bad timing more than the money thing...

Well this has certainly got MNetters busy!!

I'm delighted that we've won the Olympics. My DS will be 16 and my DD will be 11 - and they will benefit from all the extra input into sports, etc that will happen at school and in the communities.

Feel sad for Paris - but we WON!! Yippee!!!!!

but what if you won tickets to take them to see it for real in london all expenses paid

They would love it wouldn't they?

as it is happening of course I hope it does do some good. Still v concerned about where the money is coming from though...

Hmm... wonder how much ticket to moon costs theese days...
And if anyone wants our house, we are off to St Lucia for three weeks- whoopee!
aloha thinks of one possible advantage....

I have just had my photograph taken by a load of Japanese tourists in a pub because I was jumping up and down with excitement

Undoubtedly there is a long road to go and I expect national cynicism will have a field day before we get there, but I for one intend to resist cynicism as hard as possible.

Because I believe that it is important in life to have some things that are beyond the basic day to day needs, be they art, sport or stamp collecting. It's what makes us human. The state recognises this by funding activities in these areas; why shouldn't we nationally aspire to take our investment beyond a basic state provision and host something that is widely recognised as the absolute pinnacle of many people's achievements?

God, poor dyspraxic ds... more 'sport is god' stuff is just what he doesn't need IMO.
As for dd, if she's into sport I'm disowning her !

'Silly swim dancing' ehumm, dd does 6 hours training a week for this! Think you mean Syncronised swimming

She also will be 16 in 2012 (goes off into day- dream of her making Olympic team......)

Well at least we may be able to get some tickets anyway to watch some world class Syncro