JEDDAH, 7 July 2005 — British expatriates across Saudi Arabia were yesterday jubilant and excited at the prospect of London hosting the 2012 Olympics.
“Soon after we heard the official announcement by International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge that London had won the bid to host the 2012 Olympics, we went into celebration,” said Simon Bennet, a courier service executive. It was remarkable that London won the bid, as four other world cities — Madrid, Moscow, New York and Paris — emerged as the finalists. “It was a pulsating moment for we Londoners as the final vote was between London and Paris after the other three were voted out,” he said.
Ben Coleman, a senior teacher in an English language institute, said he was confident of London winning the bid in spite of the fact that nine cities had started the process two years ago to host the Olympics in 2012 and five of them had made it to the finals. “Let me be fair in saying that all have the ability to host the Games, but the finalist has to be one and that happens to be London, which has made us all Londoners in particular proud,” he said.
“It’s going to be good for London. Great news — all round. It’s a fair few years since we had the last ones. A positive result,” said Jon Harrison, the creative director in an advertising agency.
“It’s a double edged sword. Sure it will bring money into the country, but at the expense of considerable overload of public services during the Games and disruption caused by the construction of the new venues and the makeover for north London before. I wonder if London’s selection is really worth it,” said Roger Harley, a media executive.
Proud and pleased is Andy Maunder, parts director in an automobile company. “We’re particularly pleased that we beat the French — I used to live in Paris. Hope the Government and the Olympic committee do a good job. England particularly from sporting perspective — gets bad press — especially from the aspect of hooliganism. I hope we can all pull together on this one,” he said.
French expatriates were stunned by the news that Paris had lost the bid. “We were in a mood to celebrate awaiting our victory in the Olympic race, the final announcement has stunned us,” said Bernard Barbet, a French executive in a food company.
“Paris has been favorite to host the 2012 Games. Now it has been robbed of its moment of glory and France of the chance to give its citizens a reason to pull together despite rampant unemployment, political division and a general sense of malaise,” Dr. Jean Vibert, a visiting senior cardiac consultant who hails from Paris, said. “The Games would have given dynamism to our country that so badly needs it.”
Other French expats were equally disappointed. “We’ve everything already built, London has nothing. I’m disappointed, as the event would have generated lot of employment-oriented activities.”
Emmanuel Bodin, a young French teacher was optimistic that Paris, which had now unsuccessfully bid three times in the last 20 years, would one day triumph. “We live on hope and so let’s keep on hoping, maybe we’ll succeed the next time.”
