2008
31
Aug
No world tour for 2012 Olympic torch
No world tour for 2012 Olympic torch
The Olympic torch will be carried round Britain before the start of the 2012 Games — but there will be no repeat of China’s protest-scarred worldwide relay.
Tessa Jowell, the Olympics minister, said she had “a lot of enthusiasm” for the idea of the torch being taken round the “villages, towns and cities in the UK” which could apply to be part of the route.
Jowell, unveiling plans for four years of lead-up events, starting next month, said in an interview with The Sunday Times: “There would be no more powerful way of making them feel part of the Olympics, would there?”
Although welcoming the world will be one of the themes of the Cultural Olympiad that begins on the weekend of September 26, the torch relay is set to be restricted to Britain.
China’s decision to take the torch around the world turned into a global protest against its policies in Tibet, in which protesters scuffled with tracksuit-wearing security minders.
The plans for Britain’s Olympics, to be announced this week, show an attempt to create a more welcoming atmosphere than the impressive but gargantuan events at the bird’s nest stadium in Beijing.
A week ahead of the opening ceremony on July 27, 2012, two days of free performances will take place on five stages along the Thames representing the continents and Olympic rings.
The World River weekend will mark the culmination of the Cultural Olympiad which begins with the Open Weekend next month. Events include the illumination of Windsor Castle and other landmarks in the colours of London 2012.
Highlights over the coming four years will include festivals, free performances and the commissioning of a series of public works of art in each of the nine English regions, and one each in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These will become national focal points for the Olympic celebrations and new works could include sculptures on the scale of the 65ft-high Angel of the North.
Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst could be among those approached to help the Arts Council choose winners from ideas submitted.
Jowell also disclosed that organisers have shaved £1.5 billion off the cost of the Games by simplifying the design of the main stadium and aquatic centre, and reducing the size of the Olympic Park. She admitted more money than originally predicted would be needed, but insisted the total cost to taxpayers would not rise above the £9.3 billion budget.
“There’s no more money. None from the taxpayer, none from the lottery, none from the government,” she said.
Jowell, who has returned from three weeks in Beijing, said there were lessons to be learnt from China’s experience.
Although the 2008 Games were acclaimed as the most spectacular ever, there were empty seats at events, security was often overzealous, and the opening and closing shows were considered too long. Jowell believes there is a “good case” for staging shorter ceremonies and has staked her reputation on ensuring venues are packed.
“My ambition is to see seats filled, every Londoner having the opportunity to see some event, and people being able to come from around the country. It’s not simple, but we are determined to crack this,” she said.
Jowell promised investment in school sports, labelling the attitude of many teachers and councils that competition is bad for children as “complete idiocy”. The minister blamed the Conservatives and “ill- informed, politically correct Labour authorities” for eroding sport in state schools.
“It was a great injustice that was done in removing competition from schools and school sports. Kids learn an enormous amount from the brutality of competition,” said Jowell, adding that children benefited from learning how to be good losers as well as winners.
Boris Johnson, the London mayor, has indicated he will find a role for Jowell in planning for the Olympics if Labour loses the next election. She admitted the Conservatives’ huge poll lead meant the government was in a “very serious situation”, but insisted the situation was “utterly recoverable”, if Labour could demonstrate it was “still in the game”.
Cultural Olympiad
On the weekend of September 26-28, a four-year Cultural Olympiad will begin the countdown to London 2012. Highlights include:
— A total of 300 events, including the illumination of buildings such as Windsor Castle in Olympic colours.
— Each of Britain’s 12 regions will host a work of public art, such as a performance or sculpture, marking the Olympiad.
— A national singing day for Britain is intended to become a global event.
— July 2011: Construction finishes on main stadium.
— July 21-22, 2012: World River Festival welcomes the world to the Games. The event will feature five stages held along the Thames, inspired by the Olympic rings.
— July 27, 2012: Opening ceremony of the Games.
from: timesonline.co.uk