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PRE-GAMES HOO-HA
WATER SPORTS FEST: Dorney Lake on the River Thames will host the rowing, paralympic rowing and canoeing events at the 2012 London Olympics. For those not watching the games, the river offers a variety of itineraries -- half day, one day, and short break. Photo by Daniel Allen
but events will take place across London and some (such as soccer and sailing) well beyond. Among the more striking venues, beach volleyball is hosted on Horse Guards Parade close to Downing Street, and archery at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. The marathon and road cycling races begin on The Mall, the avenue leading to Buckingham Palace that is usually the focus of royal celebrations. In all, over a million people are expected to travel to London during the Games, and 10 million tickets will be sold. Some 30 official Live Sites will also broadcast the Games to open-air venues across the country. However, this is just a fraction of the 4 billion strong audience expected to watch on television worldwide. So far, 154 nations have qualified at least one athlete for the Games, but over 200 nations are expected to participate, and over 17,000 athletes will attend. In addition, there are a staggering 380,000 officials, media workers, and volunteers involved in the Games. This time around, the Olympics feature 46 sports divided into 39 different disciplines; cycling, for example, is divided into mountain biking, BMX, road, and track events. Baseball and softball have been dropped, but women’s boxing features for the first time. In all, 771 victory ceremonies will unfold flags and play national anthems for the medalists. Even the sports showcase the best of the city, with
many historic venues being pressed into service. At Greenwich, the views are superb. This is the point from which the world measures its time and its longitude and has a noted maritime museum. During the Olympics it will be an impressive backdrop for eventing, a cross-country equestrian event featuring over 42 jumps and see riders and horses tackle water obstacles, slopes, and hills. Also on the banks of the Thames in the west of the city, Hampton Court Palace will provide a spectacular setting for the road cycling time trial. The palace already boasts a rich sporting history, being home to the oldest surviving real tennis court in England, and an 18-hole golf course. The palace was first built in the 16th century by Cardinal Wolsey, but was so grand it outshone the royal residences and incurred the envy of Henry VIII. Wolsey lost his job and his palace and Henry moved in, greatly extending it, and hurriedly changing the furnishings when he changed wives, which was six times in all. Who said drama is only confined to the Olympic arena? When the flame arrives, it will have passed through 1,000 communities throughout the UK and have been carried by 8,000 bearers. Nobody knows who will have the final honor of lighting the Olympic flame, or how. But one thing is sure: it won’t be the last of the dramas as the Games begin. n
(Not) Seeing Red Stiff upper lip, eh? Well, not when it involves the national flag, fondly called Union Jack by patriotic Brits. When celebrity fashion designer Stella McCartney unveiled the Team Great Britain’s 2012 Olympics uniforms, fans went on a ranting spree. The reason? The deconstructed Union Flag-inspired unis have practically erased the red color that is part of the original flag. It didn’t help that sports psychologists joined in the fray and said that “wearing the color red consistently increased athletes’ probability of victory.” Let’s wait for the final medal tally then, shall we?
Logo Loco? The 2012 Olympics logo hasn’t been spared from controversies. Here’s why: 1. An early design reportedly spelled out the word “Zion,” which the Iranian government interpreted as being pro-Israel. 2. The revised logo allegedly was too similar to the Nazi’s swastika symbol. 3. The logo reportedly show the famous cartoon character Lisa Simpson of “The Simpsons” caught in a compromising position.
BIG MAC McDonald’s biggest outlet will be at the Olympic Park, with a 32,000-square foot area and 1,500 seating capacity. About 50,000 Big Macs and 100,000 French fries will be served. 42 I Mabuhay Magazine I June 2012