Archivo etiqueta «JJOO»

By Jonathan Glancey, the Guardian’s architecture critic (THE GUARDIAN, 13/12/06):

No one really knows how much the London Olympics will cost – not Sir Roy McNulty, head of the grimly named Olympic Delivery Authority, nor Tessa Jowell, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, nor even the mayor of London. Common sense tells us to assume several billion more than the current figure. Onwards and domewards.To a national chorus of low-level grumbling, this lumbering, bullying, ill-tempered and overpoliticised roadshow will gasp towards completion, with a final hugely expensive sprint, run by relays of cheap imported labour. The games … Seguir leyendo

By Hugh Muir (THE GUARDIAN, 29/11/06):

In the hours after the UK won the right to host the Olympics, Jacques Rogge turned to Ken Livingstone and Tessa Jowell and reflected on the positive headlines. “Enjoy it,” the president of the International Olympic Committee told them. “That’s probably the last positive coverage you’ll have between now and 2012.” Isn’t it depressing that just 16 months have passed and yet all who feared the Olympic bid might get bogged down in a quagmire of whingeing have been proven right?

Here’s a summary of the issues thus far. The financing of the games … Seguir leyendo

By Simon Jenkins (THE GUARDIAN, 24/11/06):

King Thibaw, the last monarch of Burma, adored his white elephant to distraction. The beast was so rare that its capture caused national rejoicing and it never left the royal palace. Its tusks were studded with gems, and sprays of diamonds covered its forehead. A gold plaque listing noble titles hung round its neck. Gold umbrellas protected it from the sun, and over its gilded trough rose a great mirror to reflect its majestic beauty. No riches were too precious for the elephant, for on its prosperity rested the good fortune of the king.… Seguir leyendo

By Alice Miles (THE TIMES, 22/11/06):

I am passionate about this! cried Tessa Jowell as she gave evidence on the London Olympics to MPs yesterday. And I thought, oh no, give me politicians who are not passionate; give me politicians who can add up.

Like the Chancellor. I bet Gordon Brown is worried and furious about these Games. The extent to which the Treasury trusts the Olympic planners is clear from the fact that they have demanded a contingency fund of 60 per cent of the budget for cost-overruns, compared with a normal construction contract which would require just 20 … Seguir leyendo