Logo Nogo... So what?

I’m getting really sick of the ignorance and the cynicism of the people who aren’t in favour of the Olympics, and the newspapers who continually criticise some of the elements of the funding.

Particularly the people who think that we’re moving too slowly. We’re on track to be ready well in time. Athens wasn’t anywhere near this stage this far ahead, and that came off. So why on earth do they think that the UK can’t do it? We all seem to be of the opinion that Greece is a disorganised and inefficient country when it comes to major events (something seemingly borne out by the Champions League Final debacle last month), and that we’re highly capable. So what’s the issue?!

I’m particularly sick of the people who assume that things like the cost of the Olympic logo were only so high because it factors in things like corporate jollies and focus groups and that everyone in the government had a whizzo jolly time and then designed it in 10 minutes using clip art.

I don’t like the logo either, and I work for the Dept now defending it, the one responsible for the Olympic Games going ahead. And none of us had a wonderful time at anyone’s expense. In fact, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we all have to pay tax too…

Its not the objection to the logo that I can’t stand – I totally understand that bit. It’s the assumption that every civil servant working on anything remotely linked to the games is spending the budget on fine wine and caviar and getting pissed at their desks.

Or the people who phone or write to us to complain and when they get an answer to their letter, no matter how true or complete our response, constantly accuse us of lying, or covering up, or being ignorant of what the country as a whole thinks. I forget when we selected them to talk on the country’s behalf, but there we go. We don’t express our own opinions when answering letters, just the policy. So why do they assume we are? Is everyone really as thick as that? Surely not…

We work bloody hard for very little public respect, often, and then get criticised for anything and everything – including trying to ensure our job security when thousands of civil service jobs are being cut - by newspapers who make a lot of their information up and morons who read and believe every word they say.

And as for the people who think that we shouldn’t have an Olympics because they can’t see what benefit it will have on their area, they should stop being so damn selfish. Londoners are paying more council tax to help fund the games when everyone else isn’t. The benefits will be best for Londoners, yes, but you can’t put a price on a few weeks of sport inspiring a whole new generation. Luke will be 6 when the Olympics come to town, and if he’s interested and wants to go, I’ll take him if I can. Its one of the best and high-profile events in the world, and I don’t see the point in being all po-faced about it.

Step forward champion!