Letter to Editor Essay

I have been looking over the results from the Nation Grade Six assessment which was written on the 25th and 26th of March by 16,811 students. Congratulations to all students who entered this exam, especially the students who have been able to gain a position one of Guyana’s five (5) top schools. However, it is very noticeable that most of Guyana’s top graduates are from a private school/institution. That brings along the thought of what really is going on in the public schools in Guyana? Are they treated to less? I am not bringing along the thought that all public school students did badly in this primary examination, but why aren’t more of our governmental institutions doing as well as students of a private school? Is it because of the poverty struck we live in? Is it because the students are not having the adequate material like textbooks to get work finished? Is it the unskilled teachers being employed to teach these students? All of these things are readily available with high quality to students of private institutions. Back in the good old days, no private school could compare to a public school, citizens generally preferred to send their children to a public school to ensure they have a proper ground. Today, that is very unsure. Not only the standard to public primary schools are dropping, but also the behavior in the students today that go to public school is treacherous. Are they having no discipline? Government, parents and teachers need to work together to rebuild the good foundation and name of primary public schools in Guyana.

Casinos Industry

Casinos Industry Introduction Background study Casino is an Italian word which means a small villa specifically built for pleasure. Casinos trace their origin in Italy in 1638 with the first casino being located at Venice (Fun Casino Gaming 1). Casinos are a major component of the global gaming industry (Economy Watch 2). Some countries such as India and other Arab countries consider the industry to be illegal.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Casinos Industry specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, some countries such as Singapore are partially legalizing the industry (Economy Watch2). Over the years, casino industry has undergone a rampant growth (Persson 1). According to a report published in 2007 by PriceWaterHouseCoopers, the industry’s net worth averaged $101.6 billion. It is expected that the industry’s total net-worth will be $ 144 billion by 2011. The projection was based on the annual industry growth rate wh ich averages 7.2% (Onlinecasinotopic.com 3). The growth results from the high rate at which new casinos are built and also renovation of the old ones especially in the Pacific region and China. On a global scale, the industry generates a substantial amount of revenue and offers a wide range of employment. The table below gives an illustration of the total revenue generated from the industry today from the various forms of employment. Industry Gross Revenue Commercial casinos $34.11 billion Indian casinos $25.08 billion Card rooms $1.10 billion Legal bookmaking $191.0 million Charitable games $2.24 billion Pari-mutuel wagering $3.58 billion Lotteries $24.63 billion Some countries have got a well developed casino industry compared to others. The table below gives an illustration of the countries with the largest number of casinos. Country Number of casinos Country Number of casinos United States 1673 Lavtia 46 Canada 123 United Kingdom 366 Mexico 34 Spain 70 Germany 137 South Africa 47 France 460 Netherlands 88 Czech Republic 85 Australia 423 Estonia 123 New Zealand 58 Ireland 56 Macao 39 Croatia 51 Bulgaria 53 Aim The report is aimed at analyzing the global casino industry Scope Various sections are included in the report. An outline of the top five casinos in the world and the performance of the industry in the past 5 years is illustrated in the first part. The effect of trade patterns on the industry is evaluated in the second section. The third section entails an analysis of the industry using the porter’s five forces.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More An external analysis of the industry is conducted to identify the changes in the environment which will promote the growth of the industry. The firm which is expected to undergone significant growth and the factors which will contribute to the growth are also analyzed. Finally, a conclusion and a set of recommendations are given. Top five casinos The top five casinos in 2010 according to a recent rating by Hotel By City include; Foxwoods Resort Casino Tropicana Casino Resort The Peppermill The MGM Grand Macau Over the past years, casino industry has witnessed a rampant growth on a global scale. The table below gives an illustration of the revenue generated for the period ranging from 2005-2010. Casino gaming 2005 (Amount in 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Revenue million $). 442.0 677.9 983.1 1,241.3 1,445.9 1,597.5 Change in Trade patterns Trade patterns have had a significant effect on the industry (Walker 11). For example, as a result of the 2008 economic crisis, there was a general reduction in the consumers’ disposable income (Walker 11). The situation was worse in oil importing countries due to increase in oil prices. As a result of the trade patterns, the industry suffered due to a reduction in the level of consumer confidence. There was a decline in revenue especially due to reduction the level of disposable income amongst in-state customers and out-of-state travelers (Walker 12). Most of the customers considered gambling as a luxury. Tourism is one of the economic sectors which contribute towards the growth of Casinos. This arises from the fact that casinos enhance tourism by promoting other industries such as the hotel industry. As a result of the economic recession, there was a reduction in the volume of tourism across the globe. This culminated into a decline in the volume of foreign exchange received from the industry’s ‘exports’ (Seung Harris 109). Industry analysis The casino industry has become very competitive as a result of changes in business environment. The table below gives a competitive analysis of the industry using the Porter’s Five Forces model.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Casinos Industry specifically fo r you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Porters Forces Description Intensity Barriers to Entry Government Regulations. There has been a decline in government regulation towards the industry in various counties. Some of the regulation relate to reduction in tax revenue (Walker 167). Very Low Buyers bargaining power There has been a change in consumer behavior with regard to casinos. Consumers are incorporating casinos in their consumption patterns. Despite the change in behavior, consumers have little bargaining power. This means that they do not have a significant influence on prices. Medium Suppliers bargaining power There are a number of private and public institutions which supply facilities for casinos such as gaming tables and machines. This makes the casino industry to be highly. Low Competition A large number of competitors are venturing the industry due to its lucrative nature. This has greatly influenced the distribution of casinos across the globe (Hoyes Maccinis 475). The industry is also facing competition from other industries such as the hotel industry. A large number of hotels and resorts are incorporating casinos as one of their new ventures. Very High Substitutes As a component of the gaming industry, casinos are facing an increment in the number of substitutes. This is evident in that consumers are adopting other forms of games such as lotteries, horseracing, slots and online gambling. The pricing of the games is attracting a large number of customers. High External Analysis There are a number of external factors which will influence casino industry (Cheong 2). For example, various governments are legalizing operation of casinos. One of the countries which have legalized the industry includes Singapore (Cheong 2). However, there are strict regulations which are aimed at controlling operations of the firms. The objective of the regulations is to ensure that the industry does not have a negative impact on th e society. In addition, technological innovation is also contributing to growth of the industry. The 3 core technologies supporting the growth of the industry include; New gaming devices Customer data mining Surveillance systems These technologies are aimed at attaining maximization of revenue and also to ensure that there is sufficient security (Schwartz 1). For example, it is expected that development of slot machines will contribute towards attraction of new customers (Knightly 4). Marina Bay Sands Casino The casino which is located in Singapore is expected to undergo a rampant growth in the next five years. The casino is undertaking a significant amount of investment to ensure the growth of the casino. The investment is aimed at improving the casinos infrastructure (Portmann 1). Construction of the casino is expected to generate an annual profit of $ 1 billion. Various facilities will be incorporated in the casino so as to attract customers (Sign 9). Some of these facilities i nclude night clubs, restaurants and shopping mall. The growth of the casino is also expected to arise from incorporation of the acquisition strategy (Sign 10). The firm is also diversifying its operation by not only focusing on foreign customers but also on the locals. Focusing on the locus will increase the firm’s profitability potential considering the volatile nature of the tourism industry. This will further be enhanced by the company’s incorporation of corporate social responsibility which will improve the firm’s publicity (Marina Bay Sands 1).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Through corporate social responsibility, there is a high probability of a large number of Singaporeans patronizing the casino (Marina Bay Sands 1). Growth of the firm will further be enhanced by the fact that competition within the Singapore casino industry is minimal. This is evident in that only two firms are licensed by the Singapore government to conduct casino business. Conclusion From the analysis, it is evident that the casino industry is expected to undergo a significant growth. Some of the factors which will contribute to the growth include increased legalization of casinos as one of the major games, the high rate of technological innovation and change in consumer behavior. Growth of the industry will contribute towards growth of the global economy. This arises from the fact that casino industry creates various jobs. Recommendations In order for casino industry to have a positive effect on the economy, it is vital for the following to be considered. The industry should be regulated to ensure that it does not influence the society negatively. Firms in the industry should incorporate emerging technologies such as e-commerce so as to attain a wide market share and at the same time increase their customer base. Cheong, Simon. Competition, casinos and the city: an entrepreneurs’ perspective. Singapore: Singapore Institute of International Affairs, 2005. Economy Watch. Casino industry.New York: Stanley St. Labs. 25 Oct. 2010. Web. Fun Casino Gaming. History and origin of Casinos.2010. 26 Oct, 2010. Hoyer, Wayne and Macinnis, Deborah. Consumer behavior. New York: Cengage, 2009. Knightly, Arnold. Global gaming report: casino revenue forecast to increase. Ras-  Vegas Review Journal. 3(2): 1-3, 2007. Web. Marina Bay Sands. Marina Bay Sands launches youth inspirational internship  program. 2010. 26 Oct. 2010. Web. OnlinecasinonTopic.com.Casino industry to reach $144 billion in 2011, 25 July 2007. 26 Oct. 2010. Web. Persson, Anna. Sustainable develo pment in rapid developing casino: destination:  The case of Macau. Hogskolan: University of Hogskolan, 2008. Print. Portmann, Kai. Despite success, Singapore casinos face political risk. Cologne: Deutsch Press, 2010. Web. Schwartz, Dave. Center for gaming research, 2010. 26 October 2010. Web. Seung, Chang and Harris, Thomas. Impact of reduced gaming exports on the economy of Nevada. Review of Urban and Regional Development Studies. 12(2), 109-119, 2000. Web. Sign. Marina Bay Sands: Singapore casino makes sure bet Harris digital signage. 4 Sept. 2010. 26 Oct. 2010. Web. Walker, David. The economics of casinos gambling. Florence: Butterworth- Heinemann, 2007. Print.

College Essay Myth Never Write a College Essay About Sports

College Essay Myth Never Write a College Essay About Sports You’ve probably heard the myth that you should never, ever write a college essay about one topic or another. Sports is one of the big no-nos. Who wants to hear about another come-from-behind winning game, right? But the fact is, as I related in my last blog, there are no good or bad essay topics, only good or bad essays. Luckily for you, I have obtained permission from my nephew to share his very good essay about – you guessed it – sports. Please read and enjoy – and notice why this college essay about sports stands above the rest. I’ll give you a hint: He has a sense of humor about himself. He relates his internal story a lot more than the external facts of the game. He comes full circle from the first paragraph to the last, with growth in between. And he writes about something he loves. (And in case you were wondering, he got into Northwestern University, UT Austin, and every other school to which he applied.) College Essay About Sports As a 4’9† high school sophomore, the first couple of weeks on the bench of the JV team brought me to the conclusion that my competitive baseball-playing days were over. In my initial despair, I longed for just one more chance. Ever since little league, baseball had been a part of me. Letting go of it mid-high school simply wouldn’t do. Then I remembered the time when I had filled in as an umpire at the little league where I grew up. The thought of watching baseball games for money, with my only job being to concentrate on each play and make a decision, was appealing. Umpiring wasn’t playing, but it was something, so I gave it another try. It was a few weeks into my new endeavor. The score was 15-0, top of the fourth, and it was already 9:20 p.m. Although there was no feasible way for the home team to win due to the five-runs-per-inning rule, all games were required to go four complete innings. Ugh. I want to go home. Hmmm, What if the pitcher were to throw a pitch that were even somewhat close to being a strike? It wouldn’t affect the outcome of the game, so could I maybe make an exception? No, that would be wrong. I can’t do that. In fact, since I am even thinking about this, my brain is probably going to expand the strike zone subconsciously, and therefore I should make a conscious effort to tighten it. Oh God, what am I even DOING? Umpiring was a bit more complicated than I expected. And, frustrating as it could be at times, I loved it. As an umpire, I constantly find myself lost in internal debates over my biases that I never experienced as a player. There are times when I realize, with some anxiety, that my decision agreed with what I had personally hoped would happen, or with a previous argument a coach had made, or with the latest grumblings of the fans. Although I generally consider myself fair, I have sudden crises, wondering whether I have committed the ultimate sin in umpiring: letting other people’s â€Å"calls† replace my own. I can usually convince myself that these instances are coincidental, but it’s still challenging to take in so much information from all sides about how the game is being perceived, and still be true to what I saw happen. As a player, one of my favorite parts of baseball had always been the mental game. I filled the â€Å"down time† that many others found boring with discussions and arguments with my teammates about strategy or rules. I have carried that aspect over into umpiring, mostly through discussions with coaches. Sometimes the most frustrating part of umpiring is when coaches accept my call without argument even though they don’t agree, saying â€Å"That’s ok, you’re the umpire.† Many umps would welcome this submission, but I find it even more offensive than being screamed at. Sometimes I talk to coaches between innings to further explain why I called what I did. These gestures are often appreciated, if not for my opinion, then for my attitude. The conversations are also far more mentally stimulating than the constant dispute the shortstop and I used to have over who should cover second base on a steal. I don’t wear a glove or swing a bat anymore, but I still consider myself a baseball player. I view the almost 100 games I’ve umpired as merely a position change. Although I have only made â€Å"great plays† by shouting my interpretation of what happened, and the pressure of the game is to perform mentally rather than physically, I now have the one more chance I desired. Even as I tower (albeit only by a few inches) over the players in size, and wear a different uniform, I feel more a part of each game than I ever have. So if you want to write a college essay about sports, go for it! And if you need help with how to say it, The Essay Expert is here to coach you. Check out our College Admissions Services page for more about what we offer and what others have to say about our services.

Academic development strategies for undergraduate students Thesis Proposal

Academic development strategies for undergraduate students - Thesis Proposal Example Meanwhile, studies have showed the importance of academic development programmes and activities towards the overall development of students for both academic and non-academic career orientations after graduation (Klassen, Krawchuk & Rajani, 2008). In the light of this, the need to keep researching into ways by which some of the most applicable and effective strategies can be incorporated in single schemes for academic development can be said to be necessary. When mention is made of incorporating strategies and abilities for academic development, there are some common theories, concepts and frameworks that commonly come to mind. These include collaborative learning, constructivism, and connectivism. This is because whether used individually or together, each of these three main concepts help in bringing together different strategies of learning aimed at developing students academically to have abilities necessary for both academic and non-academic careers after graduation (Robinson, L loyd & Rowe, 2008). At the same time Hattie (2009), posited that using academic research is one of the most powerful means by which components of collaborative learning, constructivism, and connectivism can be achieved under a common umbrella. Based on the identified problem and the background given to the problem above, the study will be conducted with the aim of using academic research as an interventional strategy for academic development among undergraduate students. In order to achieve this overall aim, the following specific objectives will be pursued by the researcher: Before pursuing the proposed study, the researcher came to the realisation that there are other existing researches that have focused on academic development strategies for undergraduates. However, most of these existing studies were limited to academic performance enhancement whiles undertaking graduate courses (Hoog, J., Johansson & Olofsson, 2005; Elliot & McGregor, 2001). The weakness with

How Horses Were Still Used In World War I Term Paper

How Horses Were Still Used In World War I - Term Paper Example How Horses Were Still Used In World War I This paper aims to establish this opinion that WWI hugely influenced human and animal interrelationships by the way horses were used in the war. It will also highlight different ways in which horses were used. Discussion will be supported with important research literature to assess the extent to which this opinion could be held true. History shows that cavalry units or warriors mounted on horseback formed an essential constituent of a military force. It is claimed that â€Å"the best horses were taken by the cavalry† (Breverton). The greater the number of horses, the stronger a military force was considered. This is before the vulnerability of animals to modern artillery was much of an issue. However, horses continued to be used in WWI because warfare was also going through important changes in this time period. Warfare used in WWI had not been used before, so not much was known by the combatants about the vulnerability of animals before machine guns or tanks. It should be remembered that this war changed the concept of armed conflict. This is because it represents a very important transition from the use of horses to modern artillery. WWI was started with cavalry forces, but the favor shifted from horses to machine guns over passing time. This shift also occurred because â€Å"supplying the fodder for ho rses and mules was a permanent problem† (Breverton). WWI marks a transition period in human and animal interrelationships.

Gender differentiation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Gender differentiation - Essay Example Throughout the years, gender is a sensitive and controversial topic of discussion as it borders from its political correctness to the personal opinions of different people. Gender is part of everyone’s lives, it is an important concept that everyone can relate to.One of the most promising aspects of sociological studies is in the realm of gender. Every other person is affected by this concept, whatever the gender of the person may be. Throughout the years, gender is a sensitive and controversial topic of discussion as it borders from its political correctness to the personal opinions of different people. Gender is part of everyone’s lives, it is an important concept that everyone can relate to. With this, gender has been associated with different aspects of differentiation within the society, whether it be on a micro-level, such as family responsibilities, to a more macro-level that impacts the society, like employment. This paper will explore the different relations of gender with the society. Gender plays an important role in the different aspects of the society. Gender, in fact, can direct changes to the norms of the society. Gender is not only significant in one’s personal identification but also an important aspect in one’s relation with the society, based mainly on cultural differences. Gender is related to the concept of sex although it is to be emphasized that they are not interchangeable with each other. Sex is more of a biological concept while gender is more of a social concept. The issue of gender identity has been more prominent nowadays as the world faces different social transformations. This can be seen through employment patterns and parenthood (Diaz-Andreu & Lucy, 10). Social identification and personal point of view on identity are important aspects of living. It becomes our mark on the world, and it becomes how we are known for. Although social identification is largely associated with the society, it has a bearin g in one’s personal view of identity. Knowing one’s gender or being identified in such manner is important on how one lives his life. Social acceptance of gender identities is also significant in the personal and social growth of an individual. This is where identity starts, on how one sees himself as seen by his community. This is an important aspect of developing personal growth, and since one’s personal growth affects the society, then it becomes an important aspect in the growth (or stagnation) of the social views of the community. Gender is an important concept in the social world. It shapes identities, not only of the individual but of the society as well. Gender affects how one views himself and other people. It is an important aspect in social interaction. Gender, in fact, shapes social interaction, depending on how one individual sees other people and how one behaves towards another. Gender also impacts social institutions as it creates new concepts and new social rules and practices significant enough to change the society’s perspective. Society and gender cannot be discussed without one another as one concept affects the other. This is an important note to be remembered as the study of gender develops. As one understands gender, one needs to understand the social world and vice versa. Both concepts develop within one another’s changes. Unlike before, gender is related more on the cultural perceptions rather than biological setup of an individual. Sexuality has evolved to a socially constructed concept. Gender is defined to be the psychological, social and cultural aspect of maleness and femaleness (Wharton, 6). This implies that socialization has a big impact on gender identification. The concept of gender is a process, it changes between the years of its study. Prior to recent developments, gender is closely related to the biological and social concept of sexuality. This shows that gender is not a fixed concept. I t varies from the cultural and social perspectives of its study. As it encompasses all individuals of all social structures, gender is a multilevel phenomenon (Wharton, 7). Social processes and social institutions both shape and are shaped by gender. The study of gender has opened the roads to the study of feminism. In fact, most gender studies are about females than males. But gender is not only

Impact of London Hosting the 2012 Olympics

Impact of London Hosting the 2012 Olympics â€Å"London 2012’s ambition is to create a Games for everyone, where everyone is invited to take part, join in and enjoy the most exciting event in the world† ( www.london2012.com ). This is a laudable aim for those who are charged with the responsibility for producing the Games in London. The aim of this study is to look at the potential impact of hosting the Games for Britain and how this reflects the ideology of those who are running it. In order to assess the potential impact of the Games on Britain, one needs to investigate the success or otherwise of other major sporting events that have been staged in the past. The most notable or should I say notorious failure in terms of the Olympics was the Montreal Games; Henry Aubin, a Canadian newspaper columnist commented that the Games had been â€Å"a financial disaster. There has not been a single successful legacy of the Olympics† (from Evening Standard, Nov. 2006). The event itself was poorly organised from the start, with the result that it took the organisers thirty years to pay for the Games in their entirety; this is something that Lord Coe and his team need to bear in mind. In more recent times, Olympic Games have been run much more efficiently and have left not only a financially positive mark, but also left a legacy in terms of facilities and economic benefits which reflected not only the efforts but the ideology of those who were in charge. In Barcelona the people of the city and indeed the Spanish nation as a whole were involved in the project. The organisers realised that they needed the wholehearted support of the people, particularly the citizens of Barcelona. Their attention to detail was very impressive, even down to inviting comments to be made about road improvements before going ahead with them to give the people a sense of ownership of the developments that were taking place. The ideology that is being reflected here is that the Games are for everyone and that all can have an active part in its ultimate success (or failure). The city already had a good deal that was positive about it before plans to hold the Games began, not least a hugely successful football team in Barcelona FC along with their impressive stadium. The organisers highlighted the need for urban redevelopment to provide better facilities for the people in terms of sport, leisure, art, media, housing and transportation. Their other concern was to develop the tourist trade by improving the overall image of the city and the surrounding areas. It was evident that â€Å"†¦there was a clear strategy for the post-event use of this area, which has subsequently become part of the city’s tourist attractions and as such, seems to have had a positive effect on the city† (Roche 2000, P 145). The philosophy was clear from the outset – the desire to provide an excellent Games to reflect well on the city at the same time as providing benefits for the people of Barcelona in the long term through redevelopment and through tourism. The organising committee commented that â€Å"the †¦ direct beneficiaries are the citizens of Barcelona whose surroundings have been immeasurably improved† (Roche 2000, P 144). This statement is borne out by the physical improvements that were left in the city; a new waterfront and residential area, a new international airport, two new skyline communication towers, six new sports stadia (with another being extensively refurbished), a new museum of contemporary art, a remodelled Catalonian arts museum and new media facilities. Roche (2000, P 144) concludes that â€Å"the social policy aim was successfully achieved through, among other things, the new sports facilities, transport and housing built in a deprived city area.† The aims of the organisers of the Manchester Commonwealth games were along similar lines, â€Å"to leave a lasting legacy of sporting facilities and social, physical and economic regeneration† (www.gameslegacy.co.uk). The ideology of the government and the local organisers was one of progressive development across a number of areas through sound investment, marketing, planning and implementation. The New East Manchester Partnership aimed to double the local population, to build new homes, to create a new town centre with a large area for retail provision, to create a business park and to construct a  £100 million sports complex with a 48,000 capacity stadium. The Sportcity complex includes the City of Manchester Stadium, the Regional Athletics Arena, the National Squash Centre, the National Cycling Centre, the Regional Tennis Centre, the English Institute of Sport and numerous hotels, bars, cafes, restaurants and a superstore. The benefits of this complex alone include  £1 51 million investment in sports and leisure- a large amount of which was secured from Sport England ( £165 million split between facilities construction and the provision for the athletes themselves), local people being involved in building the venues, community access guaranteed through targeted sessions at the venues, facilities being made available to local schools and clubs as well as people being trained as local sports coaches. â€Å"The transformational impact of Sportcity, in particular in re-positioning East Manchester as an attractive area to invest, would not have been possible without the Games† (Manchester City Council from www.gameslegacy.co.uk). Over the next fifteen years the area expects to attract in the region of  £2 billion of investment from both the private and public sectors as a direct result of staging the Games and enabling people to rediscover Manchester as both a business and tourist destination. Both of these events and the subsequent positive effects that have been seen and felt by the community and the nation have led there to be a drive to stage further large events either in the country or even in the cities themselves. These successful ventures have led to an increased desire for the ‘feel good factor’ that is generated to be sought again. The communities in both Barcelona and Manchester fully supported the events that were being staged, which was evidenced by the huge demand for tickets for both Games. Hence both Spain and the United Kingdom have bid to host subsequent major events, with London securing the 2012 Olympic Games. The reasons behind the London bid for the Olympics are many. The bid began with the vision of the British Olympic Committee who felt that following the success of the Manchester Commonwealth games in terms of planning and eventual delivery, a credible case could be made for London to host the 2012 Games. The Mayor of London and the government were encouraged to see the vision for the future of sport in the United Kingdom and â€Å"strategies were developed and deployed around regeneration, legacy, employment, tourism, new housing and health of the nation† (www.olympics.org.uk). The ideology that is displayed here is one of community, encouraging the nation to take part in a global sporting event just for the event in itself but also for the improvement of the nation in a number of ways; the kudos of running a global event would put the United Kingdom in the spotlight and potentially lead to foreign investment for the economic betterment of the country as a whole; the opportuni ties for employment both pre and post Games; the chance to enhance the lives of those in the East End of London through the provision of new housing and sports facilities as well as the regeneration of a very run down area of the capital; the opportunity to improve the health of the nation as a whole (particularly its children) through increased awareness of sporting opportunities provided across the country and through a better understanding of the need to eat a healthy diet. There is also the direct sporting legacy which will exist as a result of the provision of world class facilities which can be accessed by both elite athletes and the general public. The ideas could not solely be based on the sporting angle and had to be a multi-dimensional benefit package in order for the government to be willing to underwrite the whole venture. A successful Games would bring untold benefits not only to the capital but the country as a whole; Baroness Valentine eluded to this when she said â⠂¬Å"the 2012 Games offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform an exhilarating but rundown part of London and, most importantly, transform the lives of people who find themselves excluded from London’s booming economy† (Evening Standard March, 2007). Those who were opposed to hosting the Games focused on the negative experiences of the cities who had made huge losses in the past and the fact that the direct benefits would only be felt by those in London and the surrounding area (with the notable exception of the sailing venue). Many highlighted the ideological vision of inclusion and opportunity for all as being undermined by the way that little consideration had apparently been given to hosting more of the events away from the capital and the financial effect that this event might have on the United Kingdom as a whole. Glyptis (1989) comments that when looking back on major events such as the Olympics, â€Å"virtually all provision had been made on the basis of assumed need and assumed benefit† which was rarely backed by evidence. Pete Wishat, Scottish Nationalist Member of Parliament for North Tayside voiced concerns when he said â€Å"I am strongly opposed to the UK taxpayer underwriting the entire cost, regardless of what that cost my finally be – and particularly when there is a very real danger of the London bid soaking up lottery funding from Scotland and elsewhere in the UK† (Daily Telegraph December, 2003). The experiences of the problems with the Millennium Dome also loomed large in people’s minds with regard to the eventual use of the facilities that were proposed for the Olympic Park. They did not want to have a financial millstone around their neck. They also voiced their concerns over the legacy that would be left – how could guarantees be given with regard to not only the facilities but also the sporting legacy for elite athletes and benefits to the nation as a whole through increased participation? Supporters of the event held a different and ultimately successful view; â€Å"increasingly sports events are part of a broader strategy aimed at raising the profile of a city and therefore success cannot be judged on simply a profit and loss basis† (Gratton, Henry, 2001 P 36). The National Heritage Committee (1995) stated that â€Å"it is clear that bids to stage major sporting events†¦ can operate as a catalyst to stimulate economic regeneration even if they do not ultimately prove successful.† They drew upon the experiences of the organisers of the Manchester Commonwealth Games who were left with a superb legacy in terms of urban regeneration, better sporting facilities for all and increased employment opportunities. â€Å"The Games are a shot in the arm for the UK economy at this difficult time, offering jobs on the Olympic Park for the previously unemployed and millions of pounds worth of contracts for UK businesses† (John Armitt, www.london2012.com). T he lasting effects of a venture such as this can be seen above through the experiences of Manchester following the hosting of the Commonwealth Games. The Western Mail (2005) stated that â€Å"while other nations boasted of their ability to run a smooth Games, Lord Coe’s team told the world how much it would mean to the future of this country and the Olympic movement if London was given the opportunity to stage the 2012 Games.† Lord Coe continued the theme of legacy when he said â€Å"we’re serious about inspiring young people because they will be touched most directly by our Games† (The Mirror July, 2005). There is also the ‘feel good factor’ of improved mood and morale in the country which can never be underestimated, as was evidenced by the huge crowds for the parade held in London for the medallists from the Beijing Olympics – â€Å"even though they are not present at a sports event, millions may gain benefits of this nature from it† (Gratton, Henry 2001 P 31). Many more can be reached as a result of the influence of the media and the blanket coverage that an event such as this receives and this has been a factor which has made sport far more important to all nations in recent years (Houlihan 1997). This has the effect of â€Å"enhancing the market benefits to the cities† (Gratton, Henry 2001 P 37) in terms of business investment and tourism and it also enables millions to be inspired by the efforts of others to participate in sport themselves. Overall the evidence that is available covering recent major sporting events would indicate that there will be a positive legacy for both London and the UK as a whole in hosting this event, as â€Å"†¦the real value of the games comes from being associated with the Olympic image† (Burbank; Andranovich; Heyling; Rienner 2001 P1). The plans that have been drawn up for the urban redevelopment, the creation of employment opportunities, increased tourism as well as the benefits of increased participation in sport, alongside better facilities for the training of elite athletes should bring the legacy for which the organisers are hoping. They reflect the idea that there must be an investment in the future if there are to be long term benefits across a variety of areas for the benefit of the largest amount of people possible. The implications of hosting an event like the Olympics for elite athletes and the general public are enormous. The elite athletes need world class facilities in which to train and prepare for major events and â€Å"more recently the government has sought to narrow the focus of sport policy, giving priority to a more limited range of sports and concentrating on youth/school sport and elite development† (Houlihan 1997 P 46). This will have the dual effect of producing the elite athletes of the future, while providing for the people who are at the top of their chosen field now. This follows the idea that sport is for all and that all should be provided with the opportunity to fulfil their full potential. A glowing example of this effect is the success of the British Cycling team in the Beijing Olympics. Having been able to utilise the velodrome in Manchester (specifically constructed for the Commonwealth Games in 2002) as a training base and centre of excellence, their results in both the Olympics and the recent World Championships have been staggering. They not only reflect well on the government in terms of their investment but also in terms of the kudos that such results bring to the country as a whole. This in turn has brought a ‘feel good’ factor to the cycling community, to the city of Manchester where the team is based and has had an effect on the amount of people who are enquiring about participating in cycling. The investment in elite athletes who achieve success can have a direct effect on the numbers of those who are wishing to become involved with any given sport. Another spin off from this is the training and subsequent employment of coaches within sport to nurture the talent that is emerging as a result of increased participation. Increased funding to train coaches also has the effect of helping sport at the ‘grassroots’ level. The more coaches that are available, the more people can be involved in the enjoyment of their chosen activity as a part of the community – â€Å"community sporting capacity will be improved in a number of ways, such as training and development of volunteers, leaders and coaches†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (London 2012 Community Sports Legacy, www.sportengland,org.uk ). There is a chance to â€Å"provide excluded groups with opportunities for participation and inclusion† (Bradford MDC 1997). There is also the opportunity to increase the emphasis that is being laid on sport in schools and for the youth of Britain, in order to foster the idea of a healthy lifestyle in terms of both physical activity and the way that people regard their health. Media coverage of the event will also have the effect of keeping sport in the public eye in a positive way, highlighting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and encouraging people to become involved in sport. They have a responsibility to continually highlight the facilities that are available, how to be able to contact the national organising bodies for each sport in Britain and the benefits of becoming involved in sporting activity.â€Å"The success of the Games will, in part, be measured by the increase in ordinary people taking exercise at new sports facilities†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Evening Standard 2007). Only long term study will reveal the full extent of the effect of the Games on sport as there needs to be a sustained long term effect rather than ‘a flash in the pan.’ Clearly the UK government and the organisers of the London Games hope that â€Å"the legacy of the Games will be twofold. Physically they will bequeath a redeveloped area in and around the Olympics site†¦ the Games are meant to deliver a more sporting nation†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Evening Standard 2008). The former will be much easier to assess in the short term – the latter will need to be looked at over the months and years following the Games. Bibliography Burbank, M; Andranovich, G. D; Heyling, C.H; Rienner, L. 2001 Olympic Dreams:The Impact of Mega Events on Local Politics Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Glyptis 1989 Leisure and Unemployment Milton Keynes: OUP Gratton, C; Henry, I. 2001 Sport in The City; The Role of Sport in Economic and Social Regeneration London: Routledge Houlihan, B 1997 Sport, Policy and Politics: A Comparative Analysis London: Routledge Roche, M 2000 Mega-events and Modernity: Olympics and Expos in The Growth of Global Culture New York: Routledge Bradford Metropolitan District Council Recreation Division 1997 A Strategy For Sport and Recreation; A Framework and Guiding Principles National Heritage Committee 1995 Bids to Stage International Sporting Events Fifth Report House of Commons London: HMSO Daily Telegraph December 29, 2003 from www.telegraph.co.uk Evening Standard November 22, 2006 Monster Truck Races, Dilapidated stands and a Billion Dollar Debt that after 30 Years Will Finally Be Paid This Month – The Warning We in London Must All Heed From The Montreal Olympics Evening Standard March 1, 2007 MPs and Peers Poised For Revolt over 2012 Raid on Lottery Funds Evening Standard May 15, 2007 The Councils Who Are Failing to Make London Fit for 2012 Games; Boroughs Not Investing in Facilities Evening Standard May 15, 2008 The Real Legacy of The Olympics The Mirror July 7, 2005 London Olympics 2012: Our Golden Generation; Lord Coe Winning The Games For London Can Bring Kids Back To Sport Western Mail July 7, 2005 Editorial Comment on Olympic Games Which Can Be A Winner For Us All www.gameslegacy.co.uk www.london2012.com www.olympics.org.uk www.sportengland.org