Guardian: Mandela backs London's Olympic bid

[Anarcho-Socialist]

Mandela backs London's Olympic bid

Duncan Mackay
Thursday April 7, 2005
The Guardian

Nelson Mandela has backed London's bid to host the 2012 Olympics as momentum gathers behind efforts to bring the games back to Britain for the first time since 1948.

The former South African president and 1993 Nobel peace prize winner cited the city's diversity as a key reason for his support.

"There is no city like London," said Mr Mandela. "It is a wonderfully diverse and open city providing a home to hundreds of different nationalities from all over the world. I can't think of a better place than London to hold an event that unites the world.

"London would offer something very special to the Olympic movement, including great facilities and a legacy for generations to come."

More at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/olympics2012/story/0,14174,1453828,00.html

[T_i_B]

1. London hosting the games is a bad idea

I can't help but think that the whole thing is going to end up as the same sort of mess as the 1991 World Student Games in Sheffield. See the below thread in the New York forum for some very good arguments against hosting the games.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=169x2643