Re: The Olympic And Paralympics Thread (merged)

[bb1]

Seems a bit odd, LL, as he is just about the best-known UK footballer in the world, and one of the few who can be relied upon to behave.

[bb1]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18653453

London 2012: No Scotland or N Ireland in Olympic football squad


By Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland

There will be no Scottish or Northern Irish players in the men's British Olympic football squad when it is announced on Monday.
BBC Scotland has learned that manager Stuart Pearce will list 18 players from England and Wales.
Fifteen of the squad must be under 23, with Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards the three permitted overage players.
None of the England players at Euro 2012 were considered.
Four reserve players will also be put on stand-by, should anyone withdraw from the squad.
There were Scots, including Steven Fletcher and Barry Bannan, on Pearce's shortlist of 35 players.
The Scottish Football Association, along with their Northern Irish and Welsh counterparts, have taken no direct involvement with Team GB and have made it clear they do not want their players involved for fear of risking their countries' separate identities in world football.
But they cannot block players from participating.
The women's football squad was named earlier this week , with Scottish duo Ifeoma Dieke and Kim Little the only non-English players selected.
The men's Team GB were drawn in Group A at London 2012 alongside Senegal, Uruguay and United Arab Emirates.
They begin their Olympic campaign against Senegal at Old Trafford on 26 July before facing the United Arab Emirates at Wembley on 29 July, and Uruguay at the Millennium Stadium on 1 August.

[bb1]

http://news.sky.com/story/959028/call-for-answers-on-olympic-security-blunder

Call For Answers On Olympic Security Blunder

Security for the Games is under scrutiny after thousands more soldiers are drafted in to make up a shortfall left by contractors.

The Government is under pressure to explain how a security blunder has meant up to 3,500 extra soldiers are being drafted in to help with the Olympic Games.

Home Secretary Theresa May has been forced to ask the Ministry of Defence to provide thousands more troops after private contractors admitted they did not have enough guards.

Security providers G4S, which is being paid almost £300m to provide security at the Games, revealed it had "some issues in relation to workforce supply and scheduling".

The revelation, which comes just a fortnight before the opening ceremony, has put arrangements for the Games under fresh scrutiny and is a major embarrassment for organisers Locog.

It follows from the closure of the M4, a key Olympic route, due to a damaged flyover and amid ongoing questions about border staff levels at Heathrow Airport.

Labour has now put down an urgent question asking for an explanation from the Government. Mrs May is set to respond in the Commons at 11.30am.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond will also issue a statement this morning, announcing that the military force for the Olympics is being boosted to some 17,000 troops - almost a fifth of the entire Army.

Of these, 11,000 will be involved in the security of more than 30 sporting venues and 70 non-competition venues, including car parks and hotels.

Soldiers will also work in specialist support roles including air security, search teams, communications and logistics.

The demand for more to take part comes as the Army reels from the announcement that is will lose 17 major units, including five infantry battalions, in its biggest re-structuring in decades.

Shadow Olympics minister Tessa Jowell said the last-minute changes were a "serious problem" and has called on the Government to explain how it will affect other Army operations.

Keith Vaz, the Labour chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, said: "I am deeply concerned that G4S are now unable to deliver their £284m contract and that the Home Office have left contingency plans to the last moment."

Security consultant Christian Cullen told Sky News it was "completely insane" to be enhancing military numbers at this late stage – when the Games had been seven years in the planning.

He added: "It makes no sense in any form of security planning. A fortnight before the opening ceremony all of these extra military personnel suddenly allocated to the Games. What is going on here, what is the rationale?"

A G4S spokeswoman said: "This has been an unprecedented and very complex security recruitment, training and deployment exercise which has been carried out to a tight timescale.

"We have encountered some issues in relation to workforce supply and scheduling over the last couple of weeks but are resolving these every day and remain committed to providing a security workforce for the start of the London 2012 Games.

"Our planning with Locog and other security agencies allows for a variety of contingencies which have been reviewed in the build-up to the Games.

"We accept that the Government has decided to overlay additional resources. We remain committed to keep London 2012 safe and secure."

Home Office minister James Brokenshire told Sky News they Government only found out on Wednesday that extra support would be required.

"Our absolute robust focus is on ensuring that we have safety and security. This is not a decision based on any additional threat or risk," he said.

"It is the fact that G4S have said they are unable to guarantee the position at the Olympics. The right thing to do is to look to the military."

On Monday, Mrs May was forced to defend G4S in the Commons, saying she was "confident our partners will deliver a safe and secure Games".

All those involved have insisted that there was no extra threat to the Olympics.

The private security firm contract is worth £284m from a £553m security budget. A further £600m has been set aside for the police operation but the Home Office hopes to be able to deliver it for £475m.

London 2012 said in a statement: "Security for the Games is big and complex but we have the best brains in the security business working on this - Home Office, Metropolitan Police, Ministry of Defence and world's largest private security business.

"Delivering a safe and secure Games is everyone's number one priority. We do not anticipate an increase in the overall venue security numbers."
-------------------

Unbelievable.

Oh, and just to increase the misery, no-one attending them is going to be allowed to buy proper, British chips with any meal other than fish'n'chips.

Because McDonalds has such a huge stake in them.

Please bear in mind that this is not Afganistan; there is a warship parked in the THAMES; LONDON residents are going to be forced to have air defence batteries on top of their apartment blocks; all these troops are going to be guarding what is supposed to be the capital city of the dis-United Kingdom.

And I still hate the Olympic logo.

[lily]

What a joke...

[bb1]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2172194/Olympic-security-firm-G4S-told-ministers-WOULD-ready-provide-guards-extra-troops-drafted-in.html

A lot of the troops have just returned from Afganistan, and instead of being on leave as they are supposed to be, are being sent to this....farce.

Quote:

The number of service personnel who will be on duty at the Olympics has now risen to 17,000 – 7,000 more than are fighting in Afghanistan. They will be made up of 2,600 from the Navy, 11,800 from the Army, and 2,600 from the RAF.
The total security force stands at 23,700 in total, with the rest being made up of private security guards and 3,000 volunteers.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2172194/Olympic-security-firm-G4S-told-ministers-WOULD-ready-provide-guards-extra-troops-drafted-in.html#ixzz20S42RNs7

Just look at those pictures - a damn great warship in the Thames, on active duty, rocket launchers on apartment blocks, in woodlands, at reservoirs - I wouldn't go to London when the Olympics are on if you paid me.

[Sabot]

This is awful. Who are they going to shoot with the missiles? Will The Olympics always be like this from now on?

[bb1]

My money is on one of the missile-launching lot mistaking a Chinese lantern for a terrorist attack and shooting down an airliner over London, Sabot.

Why does it have to be like this, though, Sabot? London is no stranger to huge public events, that pass off successfully, without this hysteria. And the compulsory 'fun' that is annoying everyone so much.

[greenink211]

If G4S couldn't recruit AND TRAIN the necessary staff for duties as security personnel from the million or so unemployed over the years they have had to do so, I wonder how will these exhausted soldiers be trained in the next couple of weeks in the kind of security work which is not part of their normal work?

[lily]

I was reading that amongst other things they will be involved in tickets and baggage, GI.

[bb1]

The whole thing is a disgrace, Lily.

Just look at this:



Armed and ready: For the first time since WWII, London's green spaces host loaded anti-aircraft guns amid Olympic ring of steel


Soldiers in residential tower blocks and green open spaces were yesterday pictured installing surface-to-air missiles at six sites across London. With two weeks to go before the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games, it marks a dramatic development as part of the biggest peacetime security operation the country has ever seen. They began installing Rapier and high-velocity missile systems at sites in Leytonstone, Bow, Blackheath Common (left and right) and Oxleas Wood (centre), Enfield and Epping Forest.



It is a sight which many older generations thought they would never see in this country again.
Soldiers in residential tower blocks and green open spaces were yesterday pictured installing surface-to-air missiles at six sites across the capital, a show of strength not seen in this country since the Second World War.
With two weeks to go before the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games, it marks a dramatic development in the biggest peacetime security operation the country has ever seen.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2172909/Olympic-security-Londons-green-space-transformed-anti-aircraft-guns-Olympic-ring-steel.html#ixzz20UmS0Myl

I am appalled - and ashamed - by it. I feel heart-sorry for the millions of Londoners who are going to have to suffer this.

And have a read of this one:

Olympic la-la land! Neon signs that tell you to be happy, street names like Cheering Lane and the largest (and most joyless) canteen on the planet

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2172837/London-2012-Inside-Olympic-la-la-land-Village-Neon-signs-tell-happy.html#ixzz20UnBuqpV

You really would think it was North Korea.

As an aside, RBS is one of the corporate sponsors. At the time when their customers couldn't even get money from their branches for food, they had flaming cheerleaders and dancing girls in the coaches accompanying the torch.

Jumping up and down and demanding bystanders express their overwhelming joy at the sight of a giant cigarette lighter travelling through the rainswept streets.

[Sabot]

My money is on one of the missile-launching lot mistaking a Chinese lantern for a terrorist attack and shooting down an airliner over London, Sabot.

Why does it have to be like this, though, Sabot? London is no stranger to huge public events, that pass off successfully, without this hysteria. And the compulsory 'fun' that is annoying everyone so much.

I can hardly believe this, Bonny. It's horrible. This isn't what The Olympics are supposed to be all about. I wouldn't go to London or The Olympics under normal circumstances. I loathe London and I am not too keen on what The Olympics has stood for for a very long time, But heat seeking missiles takes the biscuit. Although I can't help wondering how Paris would have dealt with this.

[lily]

Bonny, I am shocked and appalled by this, like you.

What is Britain coming to? It's like some surrealistic novel nightmare.

[bb1]

Remember the Jubilee celebrations? Millions and millions of people on the streets, GENUINELY enjoying themselves. Good Lord, the flotilla went UNDER various bridges with HM below her subjects, protected by nothing more than some perspex -and that mainly because of the weather.

Yet we've got this for some sports? It's ridiculous. And the compulsory rejoicing is making matters worse.

[Lamplighter]

The problem is not so much the UK as the USA. Remember the hoohah from the USA regarding the lack of security for the Games? Also, remember in the minds of most terrorists the UK is arm in arm with the USA, therefore it is a legitimate target. No-one expected 9/11 or 7/7. The Games is always a very high profile target, as was shown at Munich. I think it may be OTT, but in the long run if it stops the kind of carnage we saw at Ground Zero then I,for one - if I was living in the UK/London - would grumble about the inconveniences that will be caused, but put up with it; after all it is only for a very short time. The present volatility in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Syria and parts of the Far East is very real; the bombing/blowing up of one of the major London venues would be a dream worth trying to realise for the jihadists, some of whom have vowed revenge for Bin Laden, the drones on Pakistan - the list is almost endless. LL

[bb1]

I think the problem is, LL, it has gone from inconvenience to disruption and intrusion. Not content with special 'Zil' road lanes for the high heid yins of the Olympics, any speed bumps in the Zil lanes have been removed lest the Celestial Ones should be distressed in any way.

The other thing is, to a large extent, the British public has always acted as eyes and ears at, say, these huge Royal events. Are they going to feel the same about something which has been foisted on them? I don't think so.

A great many ordinary people didn't actually want the Olympics in the first place, and it has got worse, and worse. Being ordered to rejoice by Dear Leader Boris isn't helping one bit.

[Sabot]

I understand all that, LL. Time to build a permanent Olympic Stadium and Village somewhere in the middle of a desert, surrounded by barbed wire and gun implacements, and let the athletes get on with it. But always there is someone trying to make money out of what should be pure Sport of excellence. And I am sick of it.

[lily]

But always there is someone trying to make money out of what should be pure Sport of excellence. And I am sick of it.

Nail on the head, Sabot. That is why I could care less about the Olympics and have done for a few years now.

[Lamplighter]

Well, lassie, I'm nae there, and ye are well away in the Blessed Land so let them get on with it!! I will breathe a deep sigh of relief that all has gone well, however, as soon as it is over. At least I will have had 2 Games in my lifetime. Didn't someone say the UK or rather London were bidding for one of the foottie thingies, World Cup, Euro Cup? LL

[bb1]

Time to build a permanent Olympic Stadium and Village

Build it in Greece and solve two problems at once - the employment, etc will drag Greece out of bankruptcy.

I loathe all this hype, Sabot, and the greedy corporate sponsors. Imagine dictating what kind of chips people can eat, what they can wear, etc. It's like nothing so much as the 1936 Olympics.

Don't know about footie things, LL, but the Commonwealth games are somewhere sensible in 2014

[Lamplighter]

Here's a laugh, the US is up in arms as it has leaked out that the US Olympic uniforms, designed by Ralph Lauren, have been made in CHINA! Oh, whoops!!!! LL

ETA A senator is demanding the outfits be burned and the athletes wear a singlet with USA hand painted on it.

[bb1]

Isn't EVERYTHING made in China now, LL? And it's a bit late in the day to notice....

Anyway, inspired by your post, I looked at the US uniforms - they look pretty smart to me.

Unlike the UK ones which are cringe-makingly awful...


I

I assume the girl in the middle is wearing the Official Olympic JimJams.

I certainly hope so....

ETA, sorry, it's just dawned on me, that's Stella MacCartney, creator of the uniforms

Which shows how much interest I've taken in it

[Sabot]

Time to build a permanent Olympic Stadium and Village

Build it in Greece and solve two problems at once - the employment, etc will drag Greece out of bankruptcy.

I loathe all this hype, Sabot, and the greedy corporate sponsors. Imagine dictating what kind of chips people can eat, what they can wear, etc. It's like nothing so much as the 1936 Olympics.

Don't know about footie things, LL, but the Commonwealth games are somewhere sensible in 2014

Actually it should be Greece, Bonny. This is where it all began. And this was the spirit of it all. But it should be done without all this money making hype that has gone beyond reason.
Obviously, people would need to be employed, but that can be organized to aid the unemployed, which Britain has singularly failed to do.
Not sure about spectators, but that usually only involves the rich and famous. Ordinary people watch it on television if they want to, mainly because ordinary people can't afford tickets. So I would probably do away with spectators.

Personally, I breathed a huge sigh of relief when France didn't get it. It's always a bloody mess anyway.

[bb1]

http://news.sky.com/story/959550/olympic-flight-controls-come-into-force

Quote:

Pilots of private aircraft face tough new restrictions on flying over much of southeast England from midnight as security measures are stepped up for the Olympic Games.

They will be banned completely from some parts of central London, and will need to liaise with the Royal Air Force (RAF) if they want to fly in controlled airspace, with military air traffic controllers watching their movements.

Group Captain Rich Jacob told Sky News: "We need to understand what is flying in the airspace above London.

"Therefore the pilots are going to be required to pass details of their flights in advance, have that flight approved, and then once they're airborne they need to remain in contact with air traffic control throughout their flight in the restricted airspace."

Failure to comply could result in RAF Typhoon jets or military helicopters being sent up to intercept them and guide them back on course. Unidentified aircraft which do not respond could be shot down as a last resort.

---------

You know what's going to happen, of course. Some hapless Piper Cherokee is going to wander off-course in yet another rainstorm, its radio won't work and it won't be able to see the Typhoons for the rain....

So, someone sitting on top of a tower block will get itchy fingers and shoot it down.

And it will land on Buck House.

[bb1]

That's a point, actually - they may well have all those ground-to-air missiles, but how do they propose to down anything without it landing on a heavily-populated area?

If they look back about 70 years, they may see that London had a similar problem with aerial intruders, and there is no guarantee that crashing planes are going to land in open space..........

[lily]

I wonder if they have thought about that, or if they care where they land?

The opposite side of that is that they might possibly know that it is not going to happen, no way, no how? Which would beg another question......as in why bother?

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