Olympics highlight missed Maze chance

We are living in hard economic times. Everywhere there was gloom and the vultures were hovering waiting for the games to fall on their face.

But instead they have been a magnificent statement of what Britain is about. From that stunning opening ceremony to the packed crowds who cheered everyone - not just the home competitors - and the stories of sacrifice and effort by the athletes to get there.

Who would have thought that in the country of greedy bankers and politicians fiddling their expenses there were 70,000 people who would make their way to London and work for nothing to make this incredible spectacle happen?

Surely it was summed up by the sight of Serena Williams, the greatest women’s tennis player in history who has won everything else in the game, dancing with delight when she won an Olympic Gold Medal. That’s how much it meant.

I recall the voices of doom when it was suggested Belfast City Council should build the Waterfront Hall. Those same misery mongers forecast disaster for the Odyssey. Both times they were ignored.

Sadly for us, they won the day over the National Stadium at the Maze. They were able to see all the worst possible outcomes and ignore the possibility that it could have been something magnificent.

Politicians should be more than bureaucrats simply looking at the sums. They should show some vision and leadership. The Olympics have shown again how we missed a chance at the Maze. It doesn’t reflect well on those who managed to stop the stadium

Thank goodness they weren’t in charge at London.

Sports Fan