Olympic Games in London - Essay Example

Olympic Games in London Executive Summary Olympic Games are the most dominant sporting event in the world after the FIFA World Cup. The games take place for 17 days after every four years with the summer and winter Olympic Games alternating after two years since 1994. French, English and the language of the host nation apply in all Olympic Games. The Olympic Torch and the Olympic Flag are the symbols of the Olympic Games. The five rings on the flag symbolize unity of the continents during the Games and the call for the peace of the whole planet. The host city parades the flag during the opening ceremony. The flag passes from the host city mayor to the next city host mayor of the Olympic Games (Olympic, 2012, p.1). The flame symbolizes the purity of the Olympic youth philosophy. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) transports a new Olympic Torch to the host nation before the event, burns it throughout the games, and puts it off during the closing ceremony. All Olympic Games disciplines are under the governing of an International Federation recognised by the IOC. The Olympic Charter: Chapter 5, Rule 43, dictates the disciplinary measures of doping in the Olympic Games. An athlete participates in the Olympic Games after qualifying from the trails organized by International Federation (IF) responsible for their sport (Olympic, 2012, p.1). There are Youth Olympic Games for participants’ aged14-18 years and Olympic Games for participants above 18 years and Paralympics. Winners during the games win gold, silver, bronze medals and certificates. The IOC chooses the host city of the Olympic Games seven years to the event after a detailed evaluation of the forwarded hosting bids. Broadcasting rights, national sponsorship, entrance charges, ticketing and licensing provide revenue to the IOC. While hosting the games is very expensive, the games create an economic boost through tourism, employment, and infrastructure in the host city (Bailey, 2008, p.1). The organisation of an Olympic Games event includes transport logistics and other significant aspects like accommodation, security, and communication. Information technology support and improve transportation systems before, during, and after the Olympic Games. The next Olympic Games will take place in London in the year 2012. This paper will observe, discuss, analyze, and evaluate the Transport for London (TFL) for the London 2012 Olympic Games (Olympic, 2012, p.1). Introduction The history of the Olympic Games goes back to 776 BC in Greece. The origin of the Olympic Games is a mystery though its foundation lies on the neutral Mount Olympia in Greece. Although many legends associate themselves with the origin, the link between the celebration of Zeusis victory over Cronus and the Olympic Games holds some ground. Indeed, the Olympia became a shrine to Zeus in 1000BC with more men watching the Games and engaging in religious ceremonies. The opening of the games features the lighting of the flame at the altar of Zeus. The ancient Olympic Games participation and spectatorship were restricted to men only until in the 1900 Paris Olympic Games where 19 women participated. They featured the Greeks only, took a long participation time with naked participants and trainers. The Ancient Olympic Games were subject to influence by religion. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) came to being in 1890. The first modern Olympic Games under IOC took place in April 1896 in Athens (Graham, 2012, p.1). In 1913, Baron Pierre de Coubertin introduced the Olympic Rings representing five continents. Additionally, IOC introduced the Olympic Torch in 1934. The Olympic Games of 1916 scheduled in Berlin did not take place because of the World War. The Olympic Games featured for the first time on home television during the 1948 London Olympic Games. Boycotts by U.S, East African and some other countries also form the history of the Olympic Games. Political interference, bans, unfair competition, performance enhancing drugs, and corruption in the bidding process are some of the Olympics’ demerits. The Munich Massacre of 1972, the US gymnastics win of 1996, the success of Jim Thorpe and Jesse Owens in 1936 is some of the memorable moments in the history of the Olympic Games. Superstars like Muhammad Ali, Michael Phelps, Jim Thorpe, Michael Johnson, Kerri Strug, and Jesse Owens are some of the icons of the Olympic Games (ORACLE, 2012, p.1). Findings and Analysis It is expensive to host an Olympic Games event. The huge stadia capability requirements, high-class transport, communication, and accommodation infrastructure costs a lot on the economy. However, the IOC argues that host cities benefit a lot from media coverage, the ‘feel good effect’, tourism, and economic boost on the entire nation. Previous Olympic Games have proved both arguments. During the ancient Olympic Games, participants used to walk to Greece for the event. The many participants and officials from across the globe, spectators, tourists, and VIPs gracing the event warrant a sound transport system. The transport system is significant in guaranteeing a secure and convenient access to the host nation, sporting venues, accommodation facilities, and recreational facilities. Although many host cities try their best to accord the best transport systems to the event, there has been huge transport anomalies in some previous Olympic Games. During the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, the federal government spent millions of dollars in street lighting, replacing sidewalks, beautification, and installing pedestrian signs. Additionally, the organizing committee drew unqualified divers from U.S. Because of this, some buses broke down and a few drivers became lost. Hence, international media personalities had transport problems in accessing sporting venues from their scattered hotels. As a result, they were late or missed crucial sporting events. Subsequently there were delays in reporting the results from the sporting venues. Due to frustrations from struggling to access the venue, many reporters, and spectators left the Olympic Village before the closing ceremony (Newman, 2006, p. 1). This was the greatest transport hitch in the history of the Olympic Games. London has to avoid repeat of the same calamity. Similarly, in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, traffic problem was eminent in Beijing. Beijing was a city marred with massive traffic congestion and scrabbles from its large population of commuters and cars. With an expected huge turnout in the Olympic Games, the Chinese government instituted measures to avert a transport crisis. There was the formation of the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau (BTMB) that regulated all transport issues in the city. Development of new roads, three subway lines, special car lanes, and vehicle bans around venues were some of the measures. Moreover, vehicles with even and odd plates frequented the city in alternate days. These measurers played a major role in averting the transport crisis during the Olympic Games. However, the problem re-emerged after the games because some of the measurers were temporary. Hence, in designing the transport system for the 2012 London Olympic Games, the planners had to consider past, present, and future impacts. Many information systems run the transport service in London. Although London boasts of an efficient transport system, more advanced technological measures will be in application to improve safe access, avoid congestion, and any chaotic situations before, during, and after the 2012 London Olympics. The Olympic Stadium rests on an island in the Olympic Park. It has very limited access. In fact, it has limited free space for pedestrians and vehicles. Additionally, bridges across the waterways surround the Olympic Stadium. About 9 million spectators will attend the 16 days Olympic Games and the 11 days Paralympics Games. Both athletes and team officials for both Olympic Games and the Paralympics Games will reside in the Olympic Stadium for the entire period. However, the venue will remain open two weeks before the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony until the closing ceremony of the Paralympics Games. The government has thus invested more than £17bn for improving Londons transport system. The government plans to present the best Olympic Games ever and avoid past mistakes on transportation as well as improving its transport system for future generations. Many infrastructures and modes of information technology are already in place while others will be complete before the opening ceremony. Transport for London (TFL) has the mandate to organize and implement various traffic projects, information systems, and procedures towards a successful 2012 London Olympic Games starting on 27 July 2012. In improving the infrastructure, the TFL has initiated and completed some major technological projects. They have expanded the Over ground East London Line, North London Line, and the Docklands Light Railway. This upgrading will facilitate easier and faster transport around the city before, during, and after the Olympic Games. Another significant technological investment is the Thames Gateway Cable Car crossing River Thames between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks. The cable will enable a safer and faster transit of 2,500 passengers an hour across River Thames. In addition, the Olympic Javelin Shuttle service is the most significant technological advancement transport mode in London. The high-speed trains carry around 25,000 spectators an hour from St Pancras-Stratford International to the Ebbsfleet International Station in Olympic Park in approximately seven minutes. Although the service will only run during the London Olympics, the Olympic Javelin Shuttle will be fundamental in enabling a safer and efficient access to the venue (Wickman, 2012, p.1). The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) link extension from Canning Town and the Jubilee Line upgrading are already providing a transport lifeline in London and will remain even after the Olympics. Olympic Route Network is a new technological transport mode limited to athletes, accredited media, emergency services, Olympic officials, and IOC members. The dedicated temporary lanes will aid in transporting VIPs and the guest back and forth the Olympic Stadium in a swift and safer manner (Edwards, 2011, p.1). This is in response to the expected Tube journey commitment in that period. This media of transport will play a big role in curbing a transport lapse like that of the 1996 Atlanta games. However, the Olympic Route Network is facing opposition from taxi operators around the city who fear their business will face jeopardy in that peak season. Another transport measure towards effective transport during the 2012 London Olympic Games is the closure of roads and a restricted one-way system around the city. Additionally, all spectators will have to use public transport, cycle or walk to the sporting event events. All the projects and traffic measurers will ensure efficient mobility before, during, and after the Olympic Games. Other information technology measurers will help in facilitation, implementation, and realization of a flawless transport system during the prestigious event. Transport for London (TFL) has established an information technology Nerve Center in South London, to control the Londons traffic network during the Olympic Games using the new technology. Police and transport officials using the recent information technology, computers, and about 1,400 closed circuit television screens run the Nerve Centre. The main aim of the Nerve Centre is to guarantee timely access of the athletes and officials to their events via the Olympic Route Network. The computerized system can measure traffic volumes at 2,350 junctions and considerably adjust signals to ensure a smooth traffic flow. Additionally, the Nerve Centre officials have the ability to control half of the citys 6,000 traffic signals to divert traffic away from blockages. Similarly, the UK transport agencies, operators, and agencies representatives will be in the Nerve Centre to share the latest technology and information in response to any security threat or accidents. Thus, security and accidents information relating to the Olympic Games will be shared and respond to among the transport sector agencies (Hirst, 2012, p.1). This will ensure an effective and safer transport system prior to and during the event. Indeed, the Nerve Centre will remain after the event to maintain and improve the transport system of the city. Other information technologies like the use of Oyster cards in payment of fare and entrance fee will facilitate transport and attendance. An Atos information technology infrastructure and system is already processing the accreditation badges for the 200,000 members of the Olympic Family. Hence, a swift transport with the Olympic Route Network and entrance to the Olympic Stadium. Conclusion Olympic Games are significant sporting events in the world of sport. The games have grown considerably from the Ancient Olympic Games to the Modern Olympic Games and have contradicting memories. There are many benefits associated with hosting the Olympic Games. However, there are corruption allegations relating to the choice of host city. Many resources are equally required to host a successful event. Transport, communication, accommodation, and security aspects are points of concern in organizing Olympic Games. The federal government is committed to the success of the 2012 London Olympics Games. The Transport for London (TFL) has organised a detailed transport system for use before, during, and after the 2012 London Olympics Games. Information Technology will play a major role in facilitating, improving, and implementing measures geared toward the success of the 2012 London Olympics Games. The event is worth attending. Works Cited Bailey, J 2008, Olympic Games hosting 2008, Viewed 12 March 2012, Edwards, T 2011, London 2012: How ready is the capital? 2011, Viewed 12 March 2012, < http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14216438> Graham, B 2012, the Olympics Games in Historical Perspective 2012, Viewed 12 March 2012, < http://www.veritesport.org/?page=sports2_history >  Hirst, M 2012, London 2012: Inside Olympic transport command centre 2012, Viewed 12 March 2012, < http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15655611> Newman, H 2006, Olympic Games in 1996 2006, Viewed 12 March 2012, < http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-2042> Olympic 2012, Olympic Games 2012, Viewed 12 March 2012, < http://www.olympic.org/olympic-games> ORACLE 2012, Memorable Moments 2012, Viewed 12 March 2012, < http://library.thinkquest.org/27528/moments.htm> Wickman, G 2012, Transport for the London Olympics 2012, Viewed 12 March 2012, < http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/14870/1/Transport-for-the-London-Olympics.html> Read More