London 2012 Olympics: budget for ceremonies doubled to over £80m

[Jazzy]

The budget for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic opening and closing ceremonies has been doubled to over £80 million.



The Government will now contribute £41 million to stage the ceremonies adding to the £40m previously set aside by the Games organisers.



This money will not be spent on fireworks, it will not be money going up in smoke, it will be an important investment in the economic future of the country, promised the Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson.



Robertson said a meeting of the Prime Minister, the Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and himself had decided that they needed to maximise and promote London to the four billion television viewers after being presented with a range of ceremonial components across the ceremonies.



Robertson acknowledged the current economic conditions but said the potential benefits that could flow through enhanced tourism numbers justified the increase.



This is a great national moment and it is about seizing this great ceremonial and economic moment to benefit the economy and the public and tourism in the long run, Robertson said.



The Government has chosen to make this investment because they believe there will be a substantial return to tourism and business legacy and we will continue to work hard to deliver four brilliant ceremonies which showcase the UK to the world in the best possible way.



Full article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ol...udget-for-ceremonies-doubled-to-over-80m.html



Question: How do you feel about all this money being spent?

 

[The Dragon Master]

Whatever we do, it's not going to beat China

 

[Jazzy]

Robertson acknowledged the current economic conditions but said the potential benefits that could flow through enhanced tourism numbers justified the increase.

IMO, London is going to benefit not all of the UK. With the economic conditions the way they are, I hope spending £80 million on games is justified when all is said and over. That money certainly could be used for more important matters other than stupid olympic ceremonies.

 

[Jazzy]

They should justify spending £80 million on games to the unemployed, homeless and starving families. This just so disgusts me that I feel like screaming!