HOSTING THE Olympics is akin to throwing the most expensive party in the world with no guarantee that the celebration will go off successfully or that the guests will go home with memories to treasure. Over the next 16 days London will find out whether the city ends up with the costliest hangover in history, or a reputation for staging one of the greatest games in the history of the modern Olympics.
The challenge that is thrown down to each host city for the summer Olympics is staggering. Staging the games is now such a gigantic exercise that it is only really suitable for major world cities that have much of the required infrastructure in place – transport, security and accommodation – and the financial clout to build the facilities where all the events will take place.
The final bill for London could reach €14.5 billion, a figure that is three times the initial estimate put forward by the city in its bid document in 2005. Spending such a vast sum on hosting a two-week sporting extravaganza seems almost obscene when set against the type of cuts ordinary British citizens are enduring in the current economic climate.
However, the allure of the Olympics is unique and the economic dividend may yet vindicate the decision taken in 2005 to use the Olympics to regenerate part of east London as well as promoting Britain on a scale never seen before.
Tonight’s spectacular opening ceremony is almost certain to deliver in that regard and allay any doubts that London can’t match, or even surpass, some of the best Olympics of recent times in Barcelona and Sydney. However, the watching world will quickly move on to the sports events themselves, and it’s in the magnificent new arenas the defining moments of the London Games will be played out over the next two weeks.
High achievement needs to match high finance for the International Olympic Committee to leave London with the reputation of the movement enhanced. The well-being of the Olympics lies with the superstars of world sports who will be on view, great feats of athleticism, and confidence that what the world is watching can be trusted.
While the IOC can play its part in ensuring that the games are as drug-free as possible, ultimately the responsibility lies with the competitors themselves. It is still a great achievement and privilege to compete at the Olympics. Most athletes recognise that and compete fairly. They may not come close to Olympic immortality, but these athletes have as critical a role in safeguarding the future of the games as any of the stars who will be remembered for winning gold, silver or bronze.
For Ireland, this will be as close as the country will ever come to the Olympics. The tens of thousands who have been lucky enough to get their hands on tickets for events in London are in for a rare treat. Like the millions watching at home, they will be hoping that when Katie Taylor leads the Irish team into the Olympic Stadium tonight, it will be the start of a memorable sporting journey.