http://www.london2012-tours.comhttp://www.london-tours-2012.com
What better way to start a blog about the London 2012 Olympics than with Boris Johnson (London's mayor). An unabashed Anglophile, I was thrilled when London bested arch-enemy Paris to win the 2012 summer Olympics. Then the world imploded but we'll get to that in another blog.
I've always enjoyed Johnson's politically incorrect television appearances. Things got better when he was elected mayor of London, perhaps because no one was more surprised at the win than Boris. Johnson is the quintessential dishevelled Etonian and is quite happy to play the buffoon in front of cameras. Therein lies his genius. Imagine my anticipation when he flew down to Beijing for the traditional "passing of the Olympic flag" at the 2008 Olympiad's closing ceremony. He did not disappoint.
Boris was smartly turned out for the closing ceremony. An unabashed colonialist who once suggested England could solve its overpopulation by repossessing northern France, he looked a little overwhelmed while waving the Olympic flag. But who wouldn't? To everyone's surprise, he was elected mayor of London and other than a few stints as a journalist in Brussels, had little experience in international affairs. Cut to the closing ceremony. A billion people were watching him so Johnson put down his gin & tonic and enthusiastically waved the Olympic flag. Mouth firmly shut, he did an excellent job but a storm was coming.
Following the ceremony, Johnson spoke at an impromptu press gathering and rambled on for a few minutes before declaring "ping pong is coming home". Prime Minister Gordon Brown fidgeted in the background. It was a masterful performance although the reference to ping poing, a rather obvious slight against China, was unfortunate. Hopefully Johnson will still be mayor in 2012.
Following the ceremony, Johnson spoke at an impromptu press gathering and rambled on for a few minutes before declaring "ping pong is coming home". Prime Minister Gordon Brown fidgeted in the background. It was a masterful performance although the reference to ping poing, a rather obvious slight against China, was unfortunate. Hopefully Johnson will still be mayor in 2012.
Changing gears, my tour company (Spyns) will soon be launching its London 2010 tours website. We are setting a rather ambitious goal of 500+ clients for the next summer Olympiad. I've reserved http://www.london2012-tours.com/ as a website and fully expect some City trademark lawyer to threaten a lawsuit for using the terms "London 2012." Damn the torpedoes! Before the Olympics, I will also interview and have a photo taken with Sir Boris.
For more information about Spyns and our tours to the 2012 London Summer Olympics, please visit our websites http://www.london2012-tours.com/ http://www.london-tours-2012.com or call us toll-free at 1.888.825.4720.
For more information about Spyns and our tours to the 2012 London Summer Olympics, please visit our websites http://www.london2012-tours.com/ http://www.london-tours-2012.com or call us toll-free at 1.888.825.4720.
