Canadian kayaker Michael Taylor competes at London 2012. Photo credit: Department for Culture, Media and Sport http://flic.kr/p/cFQvZd
The background
Harrison Mooney of The Vancouver Sun has sparked controversy by branding London 2012 the “worst Olympics ever.” Writing at The Guardian’s Comment is free, he unleashed a stinging attack on the Games, which are at day three of of 17. Mooney argued that, “two years ago the Vancouver Winter Olympics was labelled the worst Games ever by the Guardian. It’s time to turn the tables.” His at times tongue-in-cheek attack on almost all things London 2012 is wildly out of step with the opinion of the UK press, who roundly feel that the Games have got off to a magnificent start.
Meany Mooney
“The London Games is looking ugly, and I mean that literally,” sniped Mooney. “It started early, with the unveiling of that painful logo, the color scheme for which appears inspired by a Nike catalog. It resembles either Lisa Simpson performing a sex act or a child’s illustration of the breakup of Pangaea … But a logo that’s best viewed through a pinhole projector is just the beginning. The official font looks like the result of a search through Microsoft Word for the script that best screams ‘fun.’” Mooney begrudgingly conceded that the (widely praised) opening ceremony “looked absolutely beautiful, and it had some truly fun moments,” but sniped that it was “overloaded with musical acts” which “underscored Britain’s tendency to overhype their musicians to the point of absurdity.”
Mooney reminded that the UK press was “disparaging” of the 2010 Games in Vancouver but insisted there were “no hard feelings.” “Disparaging the Vancouver Olympics was a savvy approach for the knock-kneed nation going next,” suggested Mooney. “What better way to ensure that London won’t be viewed as a momentous disappointment than by setting the bar as low as possible? Of course, this strategy works a whole lot better if, after deprecating the previous Games until an afternoon at Crufts feels like a grander occasion, you don’t rest on your laurels so completely that you still manage to limbo below the bar.”
Don’t agree with Vancouver Sun web editor Harrison Mooney? Why not tweet him your thoughts at @harrisonmooney
The XXX Olympiad is a glorious spectacle
“We are witnessing a glorious spectacle,” insisted The Telegraph in an editorial, which celebrated the “remarkable enthusiasm these Games are generating, not just in the host city but across the country. Seven years of planning and preparation have whetted the public appetite, and now the Games are upon us people are embracing them with gusto.” The newspaper said the controversy surrounding the fact that there have been some empty seats at venues ”should not be allowed to take the luster off a remarkable weekend. Friday night’s memorable opening ceremony was in turns quirky, thought-provoking, funny, moving, confusing, provocative – and stunningly spectacular. Expectations had been high, and were wildly exceeded.”
We’re cooking on gas
In an editorial, The Sun expressed a little disappointment that no Team GB athlete has yet bagged a gold, but said “let’s feel pride that the eyes of the world are on us and we’ve not been found wanting.” “Danny Boyle’s spectacular opening ceremony took the breath away, wowing a global audience of one billion by showcasing the best of British. The Olympic venues have won praise and admiration from around the world. Fears of security problems have so far proved unfounded. The sun has even shone a few times,” reminded the upbeat tabloid.
Sort out the catering!
At The Times (£) ‘Stadium Inspector’ Alan Lee did complain about the “terrible food” and “odd design” of the Aquatics Centre. Lee said the Centre may look “electrifying” on first impression but is “a little more industrial than iconic once inside.” But what really bothered Lee was the “serious defects in the catering department … the first-floor offering appeared promising. There was a yoghurt and granola mix, fresh sandwiches and salads, but the effect was undermined by staff that looked bewildered and worked at a speed somewhere between ponderous and paralysed.”
More on the Olympics
- Britons finally enjoying Olympics?
- North Korean flag row opens Games
- From pregnant shooters to moth attacks, the weird world of London 2012
- Top five crazy Games stories
