Stop bashing the Olympics
Sonia, 21, is an aspiring Journalist who loves blogging in her spare time. She's currently on a gap year exploring a range of different media and also volunteers for TheSite Leaders programme.
Londons calling! An event thats taken years in the making is now only days away. Sonia is excited about the Olympics and thinks you should be too
It's about time people cut the Olympics some slack. As a resident of the hosting city, I believe we should be rooting for Team GB with our Union Jack flags and celebratory bunting. Yet, instead of being delighted that our country is hosting such a massive event, too many people are against it. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and all we can do is moan about it. But I'm an Olympics champion and think you should all be too!
Read any online news article about the Olympics and you'll see a tidal wave of negative comments underneath it. Apparently it'll be a waste of money. Apparently it's going to be a national embarrassment. Apparently our whole capital city will grind to a halt...Is it too much to ask for just a bit of positivity please? None of these bad things have happened yet.
People delight in Olympic-bashing but refuse to see all the good the event will bring. My friends are more than happy to bitch about the games, but then go apply for jobs under the 2012 brand. This major event isn't just trending on Twitter; it's really happening on our home turf and is set to be amazing. And, not only that, it's giving young people employment and volunteering opportunities in the middle of a recession.
Let's look a bit closer at the economic impact. Yes, we are in the middle of a huge economic crisis and the Olympics may seem like an unnecessary luxury. But some financial eggheads are saying the event could actually bring us out of recession. Think about it - the entire globe will be affixed to London once the games start. How is that bad for business? The problem is we won't know anything for sure until the Olympics actually start! So can't we just wait and see until we assume it's a waste of money? And why is everyone ignoring the legacy of all those newly built sporting facilities, all over the country, which will be there for generations to come?
Away from money, the Olympics help bring us all together. If you haven't noticed the huge turnout to watch the Olympic torch relay then where have you been? All over the UK, millions have turned up to catch a glimpse and celebrate the people in their community nominated to carry it. Maybe it's time the media stop vox-popping those with an "it's costing us too much money" attitude, and start interviewing those of us who think it's great. Like it or not, the Olympics is going to make a sporting legacy. Stop saying it's going to be a disaster before it's happened and enjoy. And if it all goes wrong, I'm blaming you.
Updated: 20/07/2012
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