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On
Wednesday February 23, another of the excellent trips
arranged by Ron took place. There was so much interest
during the day, but I will stick to the 2012 Olympic facts
given to us by our well-informed guide, although she gave
us many historical titbits during the day.
Modern
Olympics began in 1896 hosted by Athens and, with the
exception of the war years, have taken place every 4 years
since, in various countries. By winning the bid, London
became the only one to host the Games 3 times. Paris would
have equalled this had they won. Ticket prices start at
£20.12 up to £2012, which includes local transport,
there being no cars allowed except for the Press and TV.
The
Olympics will be covered by the BBC and the Paralympics
by Channel 4. The opening ceremony will take place in
the main stadium on July 27 at 20.12hrs and the Queen
will officiate.
The
area on which the Olympic Park is situated was extremely
polluted, hence the soil had to be washed in the "soil
hospital" on site to remove any radioactive contaminants,
oil, etc. The many small waterways meandering through
the site were also very contaminated and were dredged
to enable them to be useful. Plenty of debris was removed
and these canals are being used to transport some of the
materials used in construction.
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The
flora and fauna were removed temporarily but will be returned
later when work has been completed. The whole project
is to be the "greenest" ever, with rainwater
collected and recycled, solar power, a woodchip-fuelled
boiler and plenty of landscaping with trees, plants and
wildlife being reintroduced around the site. Unfortunately,
the floodlights required for the TV cameras use a massive
amount of electricity! The small local firm called 3 Mills
TV will be responsible for covering the opening ceremony,
when the atheletes will march from an assembly point into
the stadium.
There
are 88,000 seats in the main stadium, which will be reduced
to 25,000 post-Games when West Ham Football Club takes
over. The stadium is built in a bowl, the volume of soil
removed being equal to 9 times the area of the Albert
Hall! Athletics will take place here, but the cycling
will be held in the smaller Velodrome, 6,000 seats, which
has already been completed, on time and within budget.
It has been dubbed "The Pringle" because of
its resemblance to that savoury snack!
Near
to this is a tent-like building for the basketball. This
will be relocated after the Olympics for other sporting
events. The aquatic centre, too, is well under way and
resembles "Stingray". All the swimming events
will be staged here. The equestrian events will be at
Greenwich, with the horses being stabled on Blackheath;
the shooting at Woolwich; the Marathon's 7 circuits in
central London; the beach volleyball on Horseguards Parade;
the gymnastics at the O2 Arena (no advertising, so it
will be renamed for the period of the Games!); the contact
sports at Wembley; the road cycling in Regents Park; the
Triathlon in Hyde Park; mountain biking at Hadleigh; and
the whitewater sports at Broxborne.
Although
Bisley would have been the best venue for the shooting,
because the Pentathlon events have to be staged close
together, Woolwich was selected to enable this to be practical.
The Pentathlon comprises running, fencing, riding, swimming
and shooting. Likewise, Windsor Great Park was a suitable
venue for the equestrian events but was too far from the
other sites, so Greenwich was agreed upon. An interesting
fact was that a horse ridden in the equestrian events
must be the same nationality as the rider, so if a horse
is injured, as was Zara Phillips' mount in a recent Games,
it means the rider has to withdraw.
There
is to be erected a huge iron construction called "The
Orbit", made in Luxembourg, Spain, France, then Bolton.
It will be 150m high, fashioned from recycled metal and
weighing 1,500 tons, a feat of technology, engineering
and art that will provide a lasting reminder of the Games.
It will have a spiral staircase, lift and viewing platform
and be open to the public, providing an excellent panorama
of the surrounding countryside. This has been paid for
by a Russian businessman.
There
are to be 11 blocks of flats accommodating the athletes,
comprising 2-bedded apartments but whout any kitchens.
All food will be provided, national diets catered for
and all ethnic needs met somehow for the competitors.
Following the Games, this accommodation will be converted
to provide kitchens in the 2,800 apartments and half the
properties then sold for social housing, the rest to other
purchasers. In the main Stadium Coca Cola has the franchise,
along with many fast food chains who are sponsoring the
Olympics. Local boroughs have responsibility for financing
the Games, including Newham, Hackney, Waltham Forest and
Tower Hamlets.
The
aim of this enormous, expensive project is to be a legacy
for London and its inhabitants. Hopefully, this will justify
the cost and provide lasting employment and facilities
for those financing it.
This
is a brief synopsis of our day observing the Olympic Park
site, a thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile trip. Many
other facts were given to us of the history of the area,
and we also had an excellent meal and plenty of time to
stretch our legs and see other local points of interest.
Thank
you Ron!
Sketch
by Ernie Crump
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