Recently I heard a comedian on the TV say that they could save money on the Olympics by awarding gold-plated medals. Little did he know that the IOC thought of the same joke decades ago. The gold medals are gold-plated silver. It saves a lot of money and - well, it's a community, isn't it? Nobody is making money from the Games, surely?
I suppose (hope) everyone knows that the athletes are just part of the marketing, like volunteer supervisors on a commercial website. If it were possible to do away with them (think of the extra seating you could get in a velodrome, for instance, if you didn't have waste space on the cycle track) the IOC would have done it long ago.
A while ago I asked a couple of the 'supervisors' on answers.com why they were willing to work for nothing on a site with a turnover of $15M a year. The question was as welcome as (in the words of Billy Conolly) a fart in a spacesuit. They bristled with indignation and, I suspect, acute embarrassment. I posted a question (ask anything you like!) inquiring whether any supervisor had ever spoken to any of the site's employees, and was instantly banned for 'inappropriate behaviour'.
I'd like to know whether any athlete has ever met a member of the IOC, and whether any member of the IOC has ever watched a sporting event, but then they might forbid me from looking at the Olympic Torch (Am: Olympic Flashlight). Christ, what shallow idiots we are - is a fire on a stick really entertainment? Or just cheap TV? They've certainly let down the pyromaniac audience - you can't even see the flame.
Anyway, my plan to recover my good standing with the IOC is to suggest that they award painted wooden medals. Just think of the savings! They'll probably appoint me to the board.
scratch | July 7, 2012 - 11:16
All good points well made. Mugs? Yeah but not ones you drink from.
FTSE100 | July 7, 2012 - 11:27
I suppose the olympic torch is the grown-up equivalent of an advent calendar. The closer it gets to London, the nearer we are to Olympic Day! I never found advent calendars very interesting either...
Stan | July 7, 2012 - 14:56
I thought they were chocolate medallions. I thought Kraft/Cadbury was making them. Nestle tendered, but the IOC turned them down in support of the Baby Milk Action campaign.
Verdana | July 8, 2012 - 01:05
Go on FTSE, tell us how many places you've managed to get banned from???
FTSE100 | July 8, 2012 - 09:14
Everywhere except ABC, and I'm working on that right now!
Verdana | July 8, 2012 - 18:40
Well I'd give up on that FTSE cos you won't succeed with that. Pom, pom ... You're ingrained here!
Cavalcaderl | July 9, 2012 - 10:08
new FTSE100
I agree perfectly with Stan.
Cos bought a chocolate medal,caught
my eye,gave it too young son-in-law,as big issue
regular not there! Will like Oh! yes thrilled put the thing around his neck,and we photoed so proud!
It was a little extra for his birthday thought! but liked it,hope sun didn't melt it. Daughter and him drove off home,watch out for dog may eat it! Fab; idea in shops! just under £2. It is the thought,like you say.Stan not the cost,I have two plastic oscars!
Not gold who! cares all got day centre,all treated same,at cinema and celebs; hosts gave out,for writing,story poem. Acting,bringing in all old talents,even tea maker! Dance bit song,there faces homeless whoever,picture see. Mine! said ! urr it's only plastic. As he has things for snooker! too.
Who! cares where all the same,never the cost,thrill receiving. Like the 1st cherry! on AbcTales. aye!
julie x
albamac | July 12, 2012 - 15:53
I've a fair idea who the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is carrying a torch for.
Which dodgy company most deserves the Greenwash Gold medal in 2012? Who is covering up the most environmental destruction and devastating the most communities while pretending to be a good corporate citizen by sponsoring the Olympic games?
bonzo | July 14, 2012 - 11:40
I am the parent of an Olympic whore. After years of agreeing with me that firms like Coca Cola are blot on the landscape, my son (an out of work actor) has taken a job with them meeting/greeting/entertaining/pushing the corporate image to the crowds. I would weep except it means he might not need a financial bail out for a couple of months.