The 2012 Olympics - in Newcastle and the North East

[geordiejon]

I thought that the rings in London might be bigger- hence double the price- however they are only 2ft bigger. So yes we for the better deal I think.
I would be curious to know how many tickets are unsold at SJP. I remember Euro 96 and I went to some match- Romania against some random country and the place was empty- almost as empty as the Stadium of Light on a premiership match.

[RobH]

Think

1) rings on Tyne Bridge look much better

2) at overall £100,000 cost a much better deal than those in the capital

I don't know that Newcastle's look better than London's really. They look much of a muchness to me (I'm glad Newcastle spent their Olympic dressing budget on a statement like this, I really didn't expect it and it has a nice Sydney Harbour ring about it).

The photo on the previous page is in a horrible light, and we haven't seen London's at night yet either. There will apparentlly be a light show tonight.

Also, I think the London ones might be that much more expensive because of the system they've had to build to raise them out of the way when the bridge opens. I have no idea how much that retractable system will have added to the cost but I should think it would be a fair chunk.

[jkkne]

Originally Posted by geordiejon

I thought that the rings in London might be bigger- hence double the price- however they are only 2ft bigger. So yes we for the better deal I think.
I would be curious to know how many tickets are unsold at SJP. I remember Euro 96 and I went to some match- Romania against some random country and the place was empty- almost as empty as the Stadium of Light on a premiership match.

It wasn't that bad! The lowest attendance was 19,000 for Bulgaria - Romania and it was only 36,000 at the time.

Romania - France sold out too.

Newcastle missed out on hosting the Spanish as Leeds had all their games.7

Believe ticket sales are very very slow

[Ken O'Heed]

Originally Posted by RobH

I don't know that Newcastle's look better than London's really. They look much of a muchness to me (I'm glad Newcastle spent their Olympic dressing budget on a statement like this, I really didn't expect it and it has a nice Sydney Harbour ring about it).

The photo on the previous page is in a horrible light, and we haven't seen London's at night yet either. There will apparentlly be a light show tonight.

Also, I think the London ones might be that much more expensive because of the system they've had to build to raise them out of the way when the bridge opens. I have no idea how much that retractable system will have added to the cost but I should think it would be a fair chunk.

This picture taken via means of Screen Print from Mail on Line website article about Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson being refused access to new media centre without appropriate pass ( Daily Mail 28/06/12)




Also within article was stated rings

1) weigh 13 tons

2) were made in Yorkshire ( so not another order for Scottish Borders firm that made rings for Tyne Bridge)

3) Will be replaced in 7 weeks with "three agitos" logo for Paralympic Games at another cost of £ 500,000


KEN

[thenorthumbrian]

Originally Posted by jkkne

It wasn't that bad! The lowest attendance was 19,000 for Bulgaria - Romania and it was only 36,000 at the time.

Romania - France sold out too.

Newcastle missed out on hosting the Spanish as Leeds had all their games.7

Believe ticket sales are very very slow

And France were an up and coming team at that time, and Bulgaria and Romania weren't a big draw despite having one or two top class players.

Part of the problem may be that the teams in the Olympics won't bring a lot of support with them as football at the Olympics is a long way behind the Euros (and equivalent tournaments in other continents) and in particular the World Cup.

[Newcastle Historian]

.
Could anyone arrange publicity as good as this for the 2012 Olympics/Olympic Rings?


Another video of lightning striking the Tyne Bridge
By Kate Usher, Evening Chronicle, July 3rd 2012


Lightning striking the Tyne Bridge near the Olympic Rings

THE London 2012 promotional team would struggle to come up with a publicity stunt as impressive as this one from Newcastle, which could have been conjured up by Zeus himself from Mount Olympus.

In the stunning video, taken from the Newcastle side of the river, you can clearly see the Olympic rings currently fixed to the bridge and hear the dramatic crack of thunder a split second after the lighting hits.


Read More, and Watch Video - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north...#ixzz1zZlSj6UK

[Newcastle Historian]

Sports Direct Arena signs covered up
at St James' Park for Olympics
Evening Chronicle, July 5th 2012




THE Sports Direct Arena signs that surround St James' Park are getting covered up in time for the London OIympics, which is less than a month away.

Due to the non-commercial nature of the Olympic Games, the signs will be covered until the end of the football tournament.

St James' Park will be in use for the Games from July 26 - August 4, with the Premier League season starting again on August 18.


Read More / Watch Video - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north...#ixzz1zl7yeJuv

[Newcastle Historian]

Originally Posted by RMB2007

I Guess there's going to be no aerial shots of the stadium during the Olympics, unless they've also covered the advert on the roof, too.

Hmmm, see what you mean!!

image hosted on flickr


Source - http://www.flickr.com/photos/2220650...n/photostream/

[Dan_NUFC]

They have covered the roof I believe.

On Newcastle Online someone posted a photo of workers putting black material over the signs, going to look so cheap and tacky!

[Newcastle Historian]

Excellent "Olympics in the North East" Website here (I'll add it to the list!) . . .

http://www.northeastfor2012games.com/

[Ken O'Heed]

Took these pictures Sunday 08/07/12 approx 1045 showing what I assume are part of the security measures being provided for the Olympic Football (hosted on Photobucket)

Retractable bollards At end St James' Terrace near East Stand












Car Park opposite the Strawberry Pub



ALSO

No Olympic signs to East Stand, "Leazes End" and Milburn Stand yet

Be interesting if any signs do appear to East Stand due to its Listing - never been any allowed since its opening in the mid 1970's

KEN

[Adrian_Swall]

Pictures of the stadium with no name and marquee being erected for the broadcasting companies

Heavy security around the area with OTT security on roadways.

Is this a football ground or a war zone?

[Ken O'Heed]

Originally Posted by Adrian_Swall

Pictures of the stadium with no name and marquee being erected for the broadcasting companies

Heavy security around the area with OTT security on roadways.

Is this a football ground or a war zone?

Noted that this morning when walking past Leazes End and Milburn Stand in the "enclosed tunnel" caused by seating areas above - lots of security people about but at least approachable when asked whether route was still available

KEN

[Ken O'Heed]

Originally Posted by Adrian_Swall

Pictures of the stadium with no name and marquee being erected for the broadcasting companies

Heavy security around the area with OTT security on roadways.

Is this a football ground or a war zone?

Noted that this morning when walking past Leazes End and Milburn Stand in the "enclosed tunnel" caused by seating areas above - lots of security people about but at least approachable when asked whether route was still available

KEN

[jkkne]

Barrack Road, Strawberry Place and Leazes Terrace closed during matchdays from 3 hours before

Barriers on Barrack Road (at Sandman and the BP garage) for security checks (lord help us)

Closure of Newcastle Official Club Store and Shearers Bar on matchdays.

Closure of all car parks (I believe staff will be parking in the Metro Radio Arena and using an Olympic Family Shuttle to the ground using exclusive Olympic car lanes!)

The stadium will be restricted from 26 July so you won't be able to use the walkthrough tunnel area

It's utterly insane!

[thenorthumbrian]

Originally Posted by jkkne

Barrack Road, Strawberry Place and Leazes Terrace closed during matchdays from 3 hours before

Barriers on Barrack Road (at Sandman and the BP garage) for security checks (lord help us)

Closure of Newcastle Official Club Store and Shearers Bar on matchdays.

Closure of all car parks (I believe staff will be parking in the Metro Radio Arena and using an Olympic Family Shuttle to the ground using exclusive Olympic car lanes!)

The stadium will be restricted from 26 July so you won't be able to use the walkthrough tunnel area

It's utterly insane!

It is a bit barmy but at least the security for the Olympics isn't a shambles, phew ! thank the lord for that, it was looking a teeny weeny like bit of a shambles...
http://news.sky.com/story/959028/min...not-a-shambles

[Newcastle Historian]

Items banned from Olympic football at St James'
by Kim Carmichael, Evening Chronicle, July 13th 2012


FROM VUVUZELAS to frisbees and massive hats, if you’ve got one, Olympic bosses say you’re not getting in. Organisers of the Olympic football at St James’ Park have released a list of items fans are banned from bringing to games.

Items that are restricted in London 2012 venues include large flags, banners and oversized hats. Balls, rackets, frisbees or similar objects, plus noisemakers such as hunting horns, air horns, klaxons, drums, vuvuzelas and whistles are also all on a two-page list of restricted items sent to all ticket-holders. Excessive amounts of food are also not allowed and alcohol cannot be brought in, it can only be purchased inside venues.

Objects or clothing bearing political statements or “overt commercial identification intended for ambush marketing” are also banned. In keeping with airport-style security measures, liquids can only be brought in containers of up to 100ml, although an empty bottle can be brought in and free drinking water is available.

Flags of countries not participating in the Games, are also not allowed, though an exception has been made for the individual flags of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.


Read More - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north...#ixzz20VOAB59q

[Adrian_Swall]

Items banned from Olympic football at St James'

Spectators?

[newcastlepubs]

Does anyone know where I can find details of road closures, Zil lanes etc for the happy event?

[jkkne]

Originally Posted by newcastlepubs

Does anyone know where I can find details of road closures, Zil lanes etc for the happy event?

http://www.northeastfor2012games.com/visitors/transport

They are still confirming the priority Olympic Family Shuttle lanes as there were concerns about gridlock and security if a lane was taken out of use on both sides of St James Boulevard