The Golden Ticket

Well, it would not be an Olympics without some kind of problem in the build-up. Back in 1996, Atlanta was overly commercialized, its opening ceremony deemed far too garish and vulgar. Security was questioned, and the Olympic village was overcrowded. Salt Lakes 2002 Winter Games where a great success. However, whilst there was sympathy for the US post-9/11, there was round criticism that the opening ceremony was overly patriotic, and veering away from the Olympic ideal to push for a community of nations. Also, there was a massive outcry after it was discovered that Salt Lake had won the bid by bribing many of the voters.

Athens in 2004 saw a return to the Olympics birthplace. The games themselves where an amazing success. New technologies. lots of improvements for the city, BUT the games themselves where not without problems. Venues where rushed to completion after falling behind in construction, beautification projects where subsequently unfinished, then the legacy of the games saw many of the venues fall into disrepair and abandonment.

With the Turin Winter games, the games themselves where well planned, and executed. Even with weather problems. Attendances where lower than expected, but the main problem was with the cities new Metro line. Which was late in construction, so was shorter than anticipated, did not reach any of the venues, and shut down at 6pm, making it useless for later events. It was finally finished well after the games.

The 2008 games in Beijing where well-planned, organised, and executed. Which was not a surprise, given how desperate the Chinese where to put on a show. And the massive unofficial budget used to throw at it. The games themselves saw protests around the world against China for its policies on human rights, Tibet, and many other issues. There was also media criticism that the Chinese government reneged on a pledge to open properly to allow real access for the media. Also, unlike other Games, the Olympic village was usually a venue for festivities and fun. Because of The Chinese governments paranoia and fear of protest and other action seen as an attack on the state, the village became heavily ringed in security, and overly sanitized.

Vancouver was ultimately a successful winter games. However, in the build up, Vancouver quietly took over large swathes of financing to pay for the Olympic Village, which led to the cancellation of some of the plans to use the village post-games for low cost housing.

Also, during the games, the choice of Cypress mountain was not a popular choice given how frequently the mountain suffered from a lack of snowfall due to El Nino. Also, the fact that people could not get close to the Olympic cauldron to view it was also heavily criticized.

So. What problems with London?

Over budget? No

Behind schedule? No

Transportation issues? None that I am aware of right now

So, with construction apace, venues being completed ahead of time, and either on or under budget, what have been the problems with the games. Well, the birth of the logo has been less than sparkling, with the design being heavily attacked for its simplicity, and all round ridiculousness. Also, with the introductory video, there where reports of those suffering epilepsy enduring seizures because of sequences in the video.

So, Salt Lake had its vote buying, Athens had its massive delays and overruns, Beijing had the huge protests, and London has a slightly iffy badge.

Anything else?

Well, ticketing for the games has proven to be an issue. With ballots being run to win tickets to events. Some events being heavily over subscribed, leaving many disappointed. Also, the lack of information ab out which ticket you won was not revealed until AFTER money had been withdrawn. Still, with there only being so many seats, and far more people wanting to go, then any system was going to leave many annoyed and angry.

Also, the games have come under criticism for failing to hit its eco-target of 20% energy coming from renewables. Originally the idea was to use hydroelectric power from the river, and wind power. Many of these plans where abandoned on safety grounds. Since then, other, smaller steps have been taken.

These all seem far smaller than issues afflicting other cities. However, a new one has arisen. With Libya being granted several hundred tickets. Whilst these tickets have not gone to Libya's government, but to the NOC, Gadaffi has the right to claim one as head of state, and his son Muhammad al-Gadaffi also, as head of the Libyan National Olympic Committee. 

Now, this is a pickle. Both men do have the right to claim tickets. However, Britain (along with France) is in a lead role in bombing Libya in support of the UN backed NATO mission against Gadaffi's forces to stop them indiscriminately attacking civilians.

So, it would be politically embarrassing to have the top two from Libya, one the ruler and leader of its armed forces who are attacking its own, as well as his son, who is the head of the NOC, Libya's main telecoms company, and also supposed to head up the Revolutionary Guard.

The IOC has a stated a-political aim, which does limit the host city in its ability to govern itself truly. London will still have to welcome the likes of Robert Mugabe to the party (or at least, extend an invitation). However, to allow some wiggle-room, the Libyan NOC will have an allocation of tickets, and then, they will present a list to London to pass on the Foreign Office. The FO will then vet the list, and strike off people from the list deemed a security risk.

With both Gadaffi's being under travel bans, this automatically means that they will not gain entry to the UK. They are, of course, a "security risk" since Britain is pounding their forces from the air! Anyone deemed not a risk, will have their names left on the list, and then the list goes back to LOCOG who will print off the tickets.

I have a feeling that the list will end up quite short, and mostly lacking in governmental figures.

But still, it is an embarrassing moment for London. One not of their making. 

I'm a firestarter!

Well, back to London 2012! And this time, a much more positive story. Nothing about racism, or anything like that. More a simple "well done." London 2012 has unveiled its torch relay route, taking in large swathes of the country, bringing the flame within an hour of 95% of the population. Also, they have unveiled the torch that will be carried by the 8,000 runners who will carry the flame round the nation.

A fantastic golden thing, which I like. A triangular shaped simple torch. Made of gold coloured aluminium featuring 8,000 holes drilled into its double skin. The 8,000 holes help the torch retain strength, whilst being very light. Also, there is 1 hole for each runner! 

It is a very simple design, just being the gold, and with the holes. It features a simple, small London 2012 logo in gold. Very understated. Also, the torch is triangular in shape. This is to represent the 3 times the games have been in London, in 1908, 1948, and now in 2012. Also, they represent the 3 words used in the Olympic motto "Faster, Higher, Stronger."

Also, the design is supposed to be slightly mechanical, not like a trophy. Something a sportsman would use. 

It has, however, been compared to a cheese grater (I can see that), wastepaper bin, or a cigarette holder. This is just sour grapes, since the torch is not to their liking. I like this. Mainly because I can see PAST what it is like now. 

One thing about the torch is that the holes make it transparent. You can see through it. You can see all the gubbins inside. This takes it far from something arty and trophy-like. Also, the holes will allow you to see the flame in its entirety, not just the bit that pokes out of the top. I think it is going to look fantastic, being able to see through the torch to the flame inside!

Overall, I am pleased with what they have done with the torch It is nice. Still does not make up for the stupid jigsaw logo. However, I will be there, watching to see the thing lit, and will be most happy to see it once it lands at Lands End, and begins to make its way round the UK for the last 70 days before the Games.

Between a rock, and a hard place

I almost feel sorry for the Iranian womens football team. Almost.

We are in the throes of the qualifying competitions round the world for entry into the Football competition at the Olympics in London, in 2012. Britain is already there (mostly made up by England players), and we are now looking for the rest of the competitors to join them.

Of course, in the mens side, you look at the likes of Japan from Asia, the US, France, and etc. 

In the ladies side, Japan, Germany, and US will be three teams to look for. However, Iran also wanted to qualify. 

But cant. 

Problem is that they fell foul of a FIFA ruling in 2007, which banned the hijab. The head covering that many Muslim women use to cover their heads. Unfortunately, FIFA has strict rules on religious representation and uniforms. They have made concessions on this, with ladies teams from Islamic nations being allowed to use tracksuits to keep their bodies covered, rather than the standard shirt and shorts.

FIFA banned the hijab on safety grounds. Not on any kind of anti-muslim basis (though I am sure that allegation will be flung at them) so this is ONE time I will agree with FIFA. FIFA banned it because there was the possibility that a lady wearing a hijab would end up choking. The hijab as designed as a loose cover over the head, and neck. In a footy game, it would be so easy to accidentally catch it, and drag a girl back, whilst throttling her.

Indeed, because of FIFA's stance on things around the neck, you cant wear a necklace (no crucifixes for Christians then!) and you are not allowed to wear a Snood. Something I really, really hate.

And it is not as though there is a substitution. Back in 2010, at the youth Olympics in Singapore, the Iranian team wore a specifically designed cap which covered a lot of the head, but there was not possibility of choking.

The Iranians refused to let their girls play in the cap, instead preferring to make them wear in the hijab. FIFA, not surprisingly, FIFA awarded the game to Jordan. Following, Iran had to forfeit the games against Vietnam and Thailand. And it looks likely they will have to forfeit the final game, too. Which means that there is no hope of the Iranian girls going to London.

Iran has said they will complain to FIFA about this, but they frankly, have no hope in hell (bit like all their other complaints about London!) Before all this, FIFA restated their position on the hijab. Iran knew this. There IS a suitable alternative. But they still insisted. And fell foul.

I am with FIFA on this. The Olympics is all about sport. Not religion. Religion is a personal belief. Personal to me, to you, to anyone. The Olympics is about coming together in peace, harmony, and SPORT. Not in a church, mosque, temple or shrine. I know in Islam women should be covered. FIFA has a responsibility to players of the game from ALL religions. So we cant really have one rule for one, and another for everyone else. Also, FIFA has to keep players safe. Its why jewellry is not allowed. If you have a cut, you have to get off, etc. If there is a safety issue, real or percieved, FIFA has to look at it.

I feel for the Iranian ladies for not getting the opportunity to shine, but unfortunately, they are stuck between the rock (FIFA) and the hard place. And the rock won.

Promotion! Stage 1

OK, so English football has finally ended with the wrapping up of the various promotion campaigns with the playoff finals for teams seeking to make the step up. However, first of all, I will cast my eye over the various champions and second-placed teams, and my view on their prospects for the following season. Not surprisingly, lets start all the way at the bottom of the (professional) tree, with League 2.

Champions: Chesterfield FC

Runners up: Bury FC

Third: Wycombe Wanderers FC

Champions: Chesterfield FC

The Spirites are the 4th oldest club in England, but have spent most of their time in the lower echelons of English football. However, 2010-2011 was something of a breakout year, after many years of financial issues, the good ship Chesterfield was stabilized, the club moved at the start of the season to their new home at the B2net stadium, and launched a new club logo.

The B2net Stadium. The new home.

Chesterfield entertained Barnet as the opening league game, and took all the points in a 2-1 victory, and then promptly lost in the Carling Cup to Championship team Middlesborough. However, they did not disgrace themselves, limiting the team 2 levels higher to a single goal victory margin.

Chesterfield enjoyed excellent home form, which saw them drop very few points, and by Christmas, saw them sitting pretty at the top of the league. February however, saw Chesterfield fail to win a home game, but away results, and the results of others combined to keep Chesterfield top.

At the start of April, victories against Macclesfield and Port Vale left Chesterfield on the verge of promotion, and when Wycombe failed to beat Torquay, promotion was secured to League 1. Now, it was about the title.

Clinching the title was not going to be so simple. Chesterfield dropped crucial points, and Bury went on a tear, winning 6 games on the bounce, and closed right up on Chesterfield after defeating the Spireites at their new home.

Clinching the title boiled down to the final games of the season. Chesterfield drew with Torquay, which handed the initiative to Bury, who then lost to Wycombe, so NOW, all Chesterfield had to do was avoid defeat against Gillingham to claim the trophy, which they did, with a 3 - 1 victory. Chesterfield are promoted to League 1 as Champions.

Hopes for next season? Chesterfield played really well this year, and will be difficult opposition for anyone going to the B2net. However, with the likes of Sheffield United and Preston dropping down, and "big" clubs like Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield all gunning for promotion, Chesterfields goal this year is consolidation. A top half finish will be good. If they get into the playoffs then that would be an amazing finish to the season!

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Runners up: Bury FC

Bury had spent many years slowly slipping down the leagues. Having been a solid second tier club, they then slowly slipped down and down, and then spent several years crashing round in the basement. The 2010-2011  saw the culmination of Alan Knills steady building process and saw Bury make a very, very serious push for promotion.

Through the whole season Bury kept up the pace, and kept a fingertip on Chesterfield at the top. However, getting to the gritty end of the season, Alan Knill was tempted away to take charge at Scunthorpe to try to keep them up . However, Bury neednt have worried, as they promptly went on a tear, and won 6 on the bounce. This brought them right up against Chesterfield.

Alan Knill. Legend for building Bury to this day. Enemy number 1 for jumping ship.

A victory against Chesterfield saw them close the gap to 2, meaning that as long as Bury kept winning, and Chesterfield slipped up, the title would be theirs! Unfortunately, Chesterfield didnt slip, and Bury did wobble. This allowed Wycombe to close to just a point by the seasons end. Still, finishing second means Bury are back up to League 1!

And this does make for an interesting season, with Alan Knill failing to keep Scunthorpe up, meaning that Bury fans will have the dates of THOSE clashes pencilled in already!

Next season? Well, it all hinges on the summer. Richie Barker took charge with just a few games to go, but impressed enough to get the job full time. If he can keep the squad together, then Bury have a good chance of making a fist of it. However, Bury could get raided, with Knill already saying he may very well head back and raid Bury for its top stars.

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Third: Wycombe Wanderers

Wycombe started the season with a victory, but then slipped rapidly down the table with a run of 7 draws and 1 defeat. However, once Wanderers broke into a decent run of form which saw them climb back up the table. By half way through the season, Wycombe climbed back up the league, and got into a 3 way tussle with Shrewsbury and Bury.

Shrewsbury had been there or thereabouts at top of the league pretty much from the start of the season. Only to see Wycombe join them round the half way mark of the season. 

Wycombe spent large parts of the season in second place, occasionally surrendering their spot to Bury, only to claim it back. However, Wycombe finished the season in third When right at the pointy end of the season, Wcombe had a run of 4 draws which allowed Bury to climb into second. 

Wycombe went on a mini run to the end of the season, winning the final three games to finish the season guaranteed promotion in third, and 1 point behind Bury. 

Next season? Will be tough. Did push Bury hard, so they have a chance. But are stepping into a league with a number of supposed "big" clubs who will enjoy bigger budgets. It means that the number of games where Wycombe will realistically be targeting points will be smaller. 

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Champions: Brighton and Hove Albion FC

Second: Southampton FC

Champions: Brighton and Hove Albion FC

Way back in 1997, Brighton where teetering on the edge. Inept ownership (including vague suggestions of corruption and pocket-lining) had driven the club to the wall, and led to the sale of their old Goldstone Ground. The club did not see any of the money. For the next 2 years, they ground-shared with Gillingham which drove up club debts, and eventually they moved back to the area after "upgrading" the Withdean Stadium. A stadium built for local athletics. The club had been looking to build a new home, and finally, ground broke on the new Falmer Stadium. Ecologically ahead of similar buildings, and stunning to boot. Now all Brighton had to do was to celebrate the new home, with the opening game in the Championship.

Gus Poyet took control of the team, and led the team to the title. Brighton where, quite simply, the best side in the league. At the start, Brighton slipped to 11th within 3 games. But with it being only 3 games in, it is not such an important mark. You need at least a month to see how the league table shakes out. 

Lo and behold, after about a month and a half, Brighton took top spot. And for the rest of the season, they refused to relinquish it. Brighton did have a couple of wobbles, in the run up to Christmas, the Gulls had a spell of 5 games which saw 2 defeats, and 3 draws. However, towards the end of the season, Brighton managed a run of 11 wins split by a draw. 

However, the last 4 games did see Brighton kind of stumble of the line, with the last 4 games being a run of defeat, draw, defeat, and a final draw. This left them 3 points clear of second placed Southampton.

Still, being Champion means that they have climbed to the Championship, 1 step from the Premier League, and will open the season in their shiny new home. It is, quite frankly, Premier League standard, a little small at 22,000, but capable of being expanded easily to over 30,000.

Next season? I think Brighton will do well. The new home will boost the club financially with the greater ticket revenues, and a rise in sponsorship, and in Gus Poyet the club has a young ambitious manager who knows his onions. I think Brighton will finish safely mid-table.

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Second: Southampton FC

Southampton is a club that has not enjoyed a lot of success recently. For 27 years they toughed it out in the top flight. Most of which spent in the small but intimidating confines of "The Dell." A venue that saw some impressive nights, including the victory against United with the infamous grey shirts preventing the United players from seeing each other!

Unfortunately, even with the construction of the new St Mary's stadium which allowed for bigger ticket revenues, Southampton lost Premiership status and entered the Championship with severe financial problems. After a bout of further financial problems, the club had a torrid 2008-09 season. It saw them almost guaranteed to be relegated after investigations into the clubs finances saw the club docked 10 points. The club in the end did not do enough to avoid relegation in regular league play finishing bottom of the heap.

However, the2009-10 season saw Southampton with new owners getting a handle on the finances, and in 2010, the club finally got its first silverware with the Football League Trophy (competed for by the bottom 2 tiers of the Football League pyramid).

Whilst the Saints did not gain promotion (they finished 7 points off the playoff spots), they spent the summer re-working the backroom team, and the September introduction of Nigel Adkins and it had a positive impact. The club went into the playoff places by November, and climbed to second by the new year. A position they would not relinquish for the rest of the season.

On the 2nd of May, against Plymouth, Southampton effectively gained promotion, which was confirmed with a victory over Walsall on the 7th.

The season was full of highs, with Southampton also claiming the scalp of Blackpool in the FA Cup!

As for next season, well, Southampton spent the most on new players, and are financially strong. With St Mary's filling again, the club stands to have a positive season. They have the fans, the club, and the ownership to fit in with the Championship. Next, it will be a push for promotion back to the "Promised land!"

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Champions: Queens Park Rangers

Second: Norwich City

Champions: Queens Park Rangers

Queens Park Rangers (More commonly known by the acronym, QPR) where, briefly, the richest club in England after being taken over by a consortium led by F1 supremo's Bernie Ecclestone, and Flavio Briatore. Also part of the consortium, the 8th richest man in the world, Lakshmi Mittal. However, this does not mean that the club is swimming in money. They still have to live within their means.

However, this new ownership team brought in new sponsorship, and has seen the club solidify its position, then begin to make serious inroads in the promotion race. With the signing of Neil Warnok in the summer of 2010, QPR picked up an experienced promotion specialist and a grizzled veteran of all levels of league football.

2010-2011 proved to be THE year for QPR. The club started at the top of the tree, and only relinquished it twice for a week at a time, to Cardiff. Apart from that, they spent the whole season at the top. For the 2010-2011 season, the club only lost 6 times, and managed to hold games to a draw where others would lose. For the season, the club had the tightest defence and strongest attack in the league. 

A 2-0 win over Watford saw Promotion guaranteed. However, the club was embroiled in controversy. The club signed Alejandro Faurlin. Unfortunately, his ownership was not clear, and the club fell foul of 3rd party ownership rules. This led to 7 charges being laid at QPR's door.

A subsequent FA investigation which finally announced its results pretty much AT the seasons deaths door, found QPR guilty of 2 charges. The club got fined £875,000, but was not docked points. The final game of the season saw QPR nervous. The game was either a dead rubber as QPR was already Champions. Or a vital game to keep the club in the playoff hunt. A 10 point deduction would have seen the club lose top spot, and flirt dangerously with the bottom end of the playoff places.

As it was, the FA only levelled a fine, and this saw the club party for a second time.

As for next season, well, the club has the ownership, and in Neil Warnock, one hell of a manager. Will they stay up? I would be comfortable putting money on it. Will they do well? That one is far tougher to predict. There are plenty of other clubs in the Premier League all fighting for survival, and will fight tooth and nail to save their OWN skins. For QPR, mid table would be great! But 17th will be good enough!

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Second: Norwich City

Norwich. A club that people just dont hate. A nice club. Famous for having Delia Smith on the board. It is also the club that just does not have the finances of some of its bigger rivals. And where also residents of League 1 for the 2009-10 season.

However, the signing of Paul Lambert as manager saw a massive turnaround, gaining promotion back to The Championship at his first time of asking as Champions.

Lambert set about keeping Norwich back in the Championship as their main goal, but ended up having a season managers could only dream about. Norwich did not lose back to back games all season, and where in amongst the thick of it pretty much from the start of the season.

Second place, and with it, guaranteed promotion, had been held by Cardiff for half the season, only to see them fade away. Second had been held by 3 other clubs, Nottingham and Leeds, briefly, and Swansea. Only for Norwich to climb into second right when it counted. The pointy end of the season.

The 2010 season has been a dream for Norwich. Back to back promotions back to the Premier League. Some impressive runs. And doing the double over their Anglian rivals, big time, being one of the major highlights.

for next season? Well, I expect QPR to make a decent fist of it, but for Norwich are going to find it far tougher. They dont have the money like QPR, but in Lambert, they have a shrewd manager who can wheel and deal. Norwich have already moved to strengthen, with the capture of Everton's Vaughan, and Millwall's 40 goal in 2 seasons hero, Morison. 

It is going to be tough for Norwich. Unfortunately, I expect them to go straight back down. But they will have a damn good go, and will run through walls to try to stay up.

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So, well done to all for achieving promotion! Those gaining promotion from League 2 to 1, and from 1 to the Championship, you are all that one step closer to the promised land of the Premier League. To Norwich and QPR, my congratulations! You made it! Enjoy the financial bonanza! But good luck! It is cutthroat! Getting there is one thing. 

Staying is another.

Next up. The playoffs! Then I will commiserate with those who saw their clubs relegated!