I was one of those voting against. We have excellent sporting and already built sporting facilities in Sheffield and Manchester, plus a proven record in successfully running both the World Student Games and the Commonwealth Games.

But apparently this isn't good enough, only London would be considered.

So if the rest of the country is rejected for the Olympics, it is hardly surprising that the rest of the country will simply reject the Olympics...
David Wildgoose | Mon, 4 Jul, 2005 - 08:02 | #

I hope London gets it; curiously enough I lived in Paris during the time of one of their previous bids - I'm sure they'd do an excellent job, too.

As for why it's only London in the UK that seems to be 'acceptable', well it's a fact of life (regrettable) that the south-east dominates economic and political life in this country, unlike in Spain (for example) where power is much more dispersed around the country - they had a very successful Olympics at Barcelona not so long ago. If we moved our capital to somewhere like Manchester (or a new city between Manchester and Birmingham, for example) it would have a huge effect on many aspects of how this country is governed and the whole economic and political balance. France has the same problem as the UK in this respect - can you really imagine the Olympics being held at Bordeaux, or Lyon?

In my view the choice of a venue in a given country is about recognising the realities of that country.
Bill (Scotland) | Homepage | Mon, 4 Jul, 2005 - 10:21 | #

I thought when I responded that there might have been a subtle hint in the question as to the desired answer but I couldn't quite put my finger on it...
Will | Homepage | Mon, 4 Jul, 2005 - 16:06 | #

Hi Stuart,
Can you come over and take a look at Online Parliamentarian my application for weblog accreditation to Holyrood got rejected last Thursday. I don't know if it interests you or not, but I'm sure many other blogs over the next few years will be applying...
Tom
Tom Findlay | Homepage | Mon, 4 Jul, 2005 - 19:47 | #

It is quite possible for non-capital cities to get the Olympics. Sydney, for example, is not the capital of Oztralia. My own view on the Olympics is that it should be shared around - London has already held the Olympics twice before. No city has held it three times and there is no reason why London should. Paris has held it before. I vote for Madrid as then it would be on at sensible times to watch on the tv!
Alastair | Tue, 5 Jul, 2005 - 09:58 | #

Apparently both Machester and Birmingham have made bids in the past.

This time round I would support the Madrid - the 'car free' Olympics. Their plan looks good and the city have never hosted the Olympics before.
Simon Holledge | Homepage | Tue, 5 Jul, 2005 - 21:29 | #

The sooner scotland gets 'independence' the better, your coming masters in Brussels await!.
Mick | Sun, 11 Sep, 2005 - 19:29 | #