Last Wednesday morning was a big day for anyone who cares about the Olympic Games when theyíre not actually happening. The IOC awarded the 2012 Summer Games to underdog London.

In the mix for the 2012 games was Moscow, London, Paris, Madrid and New York.

Many thought New York deserved the Olympics after 9/11. Fans thought if New York hosted the Summer Games theyíd be able to showcase the city and show that the city may have been shaken, but it wasnít. New York was stronger after the attacks on the World Trade Center.

Failure by the city to approve a stadium for the games hurt New Yorkís chances, but Iím not so sure New Yorkers on a whole wanted the games.

As one New Yorker said on ESPNís Mike and Mike in the Morning show, ìWeíre kind of happy because we donít want to put up with the hassle.î

Moscow doesnít seem too hot of a choice either as Russia as a whole hasnít been what many would call a model society as things havenít improved much since the fall of communism.

I had no real problem with Madrid except for the fact that Spain had a great Olympics in 1992 when Barcelona hosted the summer games. That may be a similar feeling I had with New York in that America has hosted its fair share of Olympic games recently.
Then there was the two forerunners in the voting, London and Paris.

Everyone said Paris was the top city and was almost certain to be awarded the 2012 games, but last Wednesday London came out on top, stunning the French and exciting the English.

I know France has waited a long time to host another Olympic event, but the country as a whole doesnít seem like one that would be exciting to see as a host city.

Both Paris and London are historic cities, but London has a little more life and friendliness to it. London also is animate on progress and revitalizing the East End neighborhood where it plans to build the Olympic village.

The only knock I have on London as a host city is their local coverage of the Olympics. In 1996 I was in Kingslynn, England during the Athens games and was subjected to watch the games on the BBC.

Now Iíve seen some bad broadcasters, but the BBCís were the worst. I donít think half of the broadcasters, all of whom spoke in a monotone voice, for the BBC had very much knowledge of the sport they were sent to cover. If it wasnít for one of my cousins inviting me over to his place to watch ESPN on his satellite I would have thought the Athens games were terrible.

My advice to London and all of England, take a note from ESPN and hold a Dream Job casting call for the Olympics because then BBC viewers will at least have broadcasters that are excited to be covering the games even if they have no clue what theyíre talking about.
Well, I think itís about time to write my Uncle Fred a letter and tell him to reserve some Olympic tickets when they go on sale because I just might drop by for a fortnight in 2012.

Editors Note: This column was written before Thursday morningís attacks on London.

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