Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2012/07/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Interesting discussion, in that I 've just been to Barcelona Olympic venues with Ted and chatted on the effects on Barcelona with tour drivers, various locals and of course Lluis. I also spent maybe half an hour with Mariela on-line helping locate the old media village (now local apartments). That meant researching on a number of websites on the subject including the socio-economic significance for Barcelona residents. I guess no-one on the LUG who knows Ted would be surprised to hear that he has very fond memories from '92 and enjoyd his return visit. The main stadium and the swimming centre particularly are alive, vibrant and very popular with locals and visitors alike. I'd add that it was a real pleasure to be there with him naturally and some photos will follow. >From my very unscientific straw poll, the venues, the redevelopment and new roads particularly continue to benefit the local economy. I was told several times that the Games did really raise the city's profile and persuade some locals that the new influx of visitors proved to be no bad thing. I saw the Munich '72 site a few days earlier (next to the BMW facilities!). Thet are still poular with visitors but I ran out of time before geting inside them. The particular area is most remarkable for being on artificial hills which were actually built on the discarded rubble from the substantially destroyed city. Sydney in 2000 I think by any measure was very successful. Part of that may have been supported by a national enthusiasm for sport. That last in contrast to some largely empty venues in Athens for example. Anecdotally Atlanta was not well regarded here. London seems as convenient a place as any to kick British and US butts in some events. my 2 EURO cents on the topic anyway. On 13 July 2012 22:51, Nathan Wajsman <photo at frozenlight.eu> wrote: > I have never understood why first-class cities like London or Paris bother > with the Olympics. There is no case of Olympics delivering any kind of > lasting benefit. Mostly, they result in huge debts which the taxpayers end > up paying. > > Some justification can be made for second-rate cities like Atlanta or > Barcelona that hope the Olympics will "put them on the map". That > certainly happened to Barcelona after 1992, but the question is whether it > would not have happened anyway as Spain was entering its period of > economic boom following accession to the EU in 1986. > > If I lived in London I would look for an opportunity to leave town during > the Olympics, and I would not dream of visiting the city during the games. > > Cheers, > Nathan > > Op Vr, 13 juli, 2012 12:41, schreef Gerry Walden: > > This should rile Ted up: > > > > > http://www.bjp-online.com/british-journal-of-photography/news/2191402/london-2012-olympic-games-organisers-refuse-to-clarify-photography-rules-in-advance > > > > We have already had cafe owners threatened with prosecution if they have > > an 'Olympic Breakfast' on their menu, and a florist threatened for making > > the Olympic rings out of flowers for her shop window (both because of > > copyright!) In addition it is taking 3+ hours to get through Customs at > > the airport, and they are siting surface to air missiles on some > apartment > > blocks. I think the majority of the British public will be pleased when > > this is all over as it is suffering from severe overkill. > > > > Gerry > > > > Gerry Walden > > +44 (0)23 8046 3076 or > > +44 (0)797 287 7932 > > www.gwpics.com > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Leica Users Group. > > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > > > > > -- > Nathan Wajsman > photo at frozenlight.eu > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >