The report claims much more than that.

It's a detailed report by Oxford Economics. It claims, amongst other things that there is "£4 billion of construction related GDP generated by legacy projects, including
new housing and infrastructure-related developments"

Of course, you can easily dismiss it as Boallax. However, I suspect Oxford Economics put a bit more research into their findings than you did into your rebuttals.

To preempt Billy Rhino, the report doesn't contain any predictions on how many jobs will be solely for you and your white supremacist mates.

A bit weak Gareth, even for you.

[urlhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jun/30/olympic-village-mcdonalds-karaoke-pub[/url

The one good thing that comes from all of this, at a huge cost of course, is that the accommodation blocks will eventually become social housing, something that simply wouldn't have happened in those quantities had the sites been handed over to the private sector, even with planning covenants inserted - social housing being something of a filthy phrase among successive governments.

To achieve the same ultimate goal of course we could have spent the same amount of money on social housing projects across the country and probably created a lot more limited period construction jobs, and put many already fully qualified trades people back into work (thats one hilarious bit about that report you linked to, the idea that the employees had to be specially trained before building blocks of flats), but of course that sort of expenditure wouldn't have got us seventeen days worth of publicity.

The security bill would have been much cheaper though.

Genuine question, anyone who was negative pre-Olympics had a change of heart?

I don't mind admitting I was wrong.....very much now regret we made no attempt to get any tickets. Last night was a superb culmination of ever increasing interest over the week (that women's triatholon was incredible to watch yesterday morning) ....after that stupendous opening ceremony.

I didn't even bother tuning into the Leeds match this afternoon....

It'd made no difference mate - I applied for a boat load of tickets, along with the missus and may others I know.

I know of NO-ONE that got ANY tickets.

The missus was really keen to see the equestrian eventing - she was proper p[size=100i[/sizessed off when we watched it on tv and half the stand was empty!

Lord Percy and couple of others people I know got tickets. They've seen lots of different events, including Archery, Handball, fencing and volleyball and managed to get tickets for last Friday night at the Athletics. They are down there now, for their last day they watched some of the women's water polo.

That's why I didn't get any tickets... because Lord Percy got them all.

Most of my work colleagues got tickets, suppose some will always be disappointed and the stands since the first couple of days have been packed! I've also got tickets for the Paralympics, youll see real feats of sporting triumph there.

The clue is probably in his title



Actually one of my brothers-in-law got tickets for tonight's 100 metres final



However, I do agree to see so many empty seats has been a travesty and a damn shame.

We got athletics yesterday morning

That only happened in the first couple of days all the stands have been packed out since, the games have been a major triumph even away from the medal table.

I won't disagree....



I'm glad to have been proven wrong.

Fair play admitting that.

Got to say we are loving it and seeing so many great Athletes from every sport give their all is a brilliant spectacle.
Also great to see the other countries competitors get the respect they deserve.
Team GB have done us very proud imo and we also get the bonus of seeing legends like Bolt ,Phelps ,Hoy etc etc and the new generation like the young Chinese swimmers and the young American that beat Addlington.

I really hope the paralympics are well supported too, I'm looking forward to going down.

They should be there's some absolute quality all across the board in those games too mate

....not forgetting that similarly 15 year old Lithuanian swimmer.

You've just got to feel for the athletes: such high emotions good and bad. As I previously stated, I was so damn impressed with the women competing that triatholon. After all that effort it was scintillating to see a race resulting in a photo finish. I still think both should have been given gold.

My wife and I are going to do our damndest to combine a good holiday in four years time with a successful application for Rio tickets

....Brazil has always been on our to do visit list anyway.

Brazil is great as long as you don't go a couple of streets off the tourist areas!!

In fairness I guess that applies to a lot of places.....but thanks for the advice. I take it you have actually been to Rio ? I'll be coming to you for recommendations on places to stay, visit, dine etc

Just re-read my post and I think I kinda coma across negative about the Olympics - Nothing could be farther from the truth. We've literally had nothing else on the box since the opening ceremony.

I've found myself watching some real odd-ball sports, not really understanding them but enjoying them never the less.

Men's foil fencing - absolutely no idea what was going on but sat and watched an hour of it anyway.

Can reflect your position exactly. Bizarre isn't it ? Sports that I wouldn't normally give the time of day to are proving captivating (even the confusing sailing events).....the cycling is fast becoming my second fav sport to RL.

Just watched the women's 400 metres final

I have a new found enthusiasm for the women's beach volleyball and the women's heptathlon. Not sure why...

Bolt in 9.63 - wow

I have and been to the Estádio João Havelange which will host the Athletics and the Maracanã where the opening ceremony will take place.

Get in touch, I can tell you loads if you need it.

I've been enjoying the Handball. From the size and skills of them, looks like the men from Eastern Europe and Scandanavia who would in other circumstances play Rugby instead play handball. In contrast, the GB team are clearly those who can't play anything else, and are terrible.

Struck me that if we had a Handball team, given half-an-hour's coaching, of Hall, Tomkins, Watkins, Atkins, BJB, Lauititi (naturalized), Westwood (gk) then we'd have more of a chance.