Further pr discussions with the lone gunman now in charge!

[jeffgoldblum]

im hoping that @Atlusvuewill not mind me continuing her work, I have a feeling that there is more to discuss and come!

Yes I thought that was interesting !

I'm not sure why the 'one year to go' is a Thing?

Are there similar events for other games?

Perhaps it would be better if he just sent the Royals a "Save the Date" card.

Since Harry has security already I assume Meghan will be over in the Summer!

Well, exactly!

After all, how could any IG start without the Duchess of Sussex marching in the lead in a romper suit?!

The Times take on it all https://archive.is/9iQGs

Apparently the King will be hosting a state visit of the Nigerian President in March, possibly because the Sussex trip 'nudged British diplomacy into action'.

Nothing to do with the King's private meeting with the President at Buckingham Palace in September 2024, of course.

Are you serious? I think the Invictus games are a worthy cause but I can’t imagine why council taxpayers money should be spent ‘luring’ it.

🙄

and the Sussexes were not with the President ...it was about touting for Invictus.

I'll be amazed if she's not, MrsLF ... why miss out on wheelchairs to manhandle and someone with an interesting story to ignore, and that's without the issue that she doesn't appear to have much else to do and needs the profile

And I'm unsure why you'd want to know where the £26 million went if the games don't go ahead, @CathyorClaire? Personally I'd rather like to know anyway, especially if that was taxpayers' money, but I very much doubt there'll ever be an answer

I'm sure there will be a deep dive.

I find the vast amounts spent campaigning for expensive sporting events to be held here to be obscene whether it's Invictus, the Olympics or the World Cup.

Agreed! , the money would have been better spent on getting the bins emptied.

You're not alone, MrsLF, and while many doubtless enjoy the jollies they get out of it there seem many better uses for the money

Even more so where Birmingham's concerned ...

I do wonder how the people off Birmingham feel about it.

I think Invictus has had its day. I’m all for supporting injured veterans and I’m sure some have really benefited from it. But unfortunately they have let H&M take it over far too much, the low point being M in her shorts and flip flops leading the parade. H has campaigned to get other countries on board - Ukraine, Nigeria and Colombia I believe? It’s getting too big and politically unwieldy.

The para-olympics neatly tags onto the actual Olympics and benefits from all the infrastructure available. How can Birmingham provide for numerous competitors from around the world? Some presumably needing accessible accommodation and facilities plus family or maybe even carers?

I just don’t think the interest is there any more, let alone the money.

This is exactly what our veteran friends say . Invictus has become about H and M and M’s clothes .
It should be firmly focussed on the veterans .
One also said to us that when cameras aren’t on her , M looked bored.

Is Birmingham still having a rat problem?

the bin men have been on strike for a year so I can’t imagine how that is playing out

Unfortunately yes, BemusedAmerican, and with the mandates for bin strikes now extending into this year it's unlikely to end any time soon

I think I’m right in saying they have also had one of the biggest council tax hikes for 2025?

I think it's great that specific groups have organisations and events supporting them. But it needs to be proportionate.

Millions just to stage IG? And participants paying to go?

Surely better to spend more on grass roots support and activities? Think what could be done with £26 million in genuine, day to day support.

I do have the same question about all big name sporting events. There is a balance to be struck between supporting elite athletes and supporting grass roots sport.

Although at least the London Olympic venues do seem to have a genuine on going use, unlike some Olympic venues. And Stratford is thriving. So maybe the regeneration, community building and sports investment was worth it. It would be interesting to find out the actual and projected benefits.

The costs are mind blowing considering the athletes have to fund themselves.

Where is the money going ? How can the board justify it