An open letter to Olympic protesters

Dear Protester

There is nothing wrong with protesting. It’s great to have a passion about something. If that something is a wrong that needs correcting, then to highlight it, is important. To motivate others to join the protest can be exhilarating and powerful. To move out of one's comfort zone, make other people take notice and change, is okay by me. I support your right to protest. Sometimes, I’ll join you.

But there is a difference between protesting and sabotaging. 

Protest: 

An expression or declaration of objection, disapproval, or dissent, often in opposition to something a person is powerless to prevent or avoid.

Sabotage

The deliberate destruction, disruption, or damage of equipment, a public service, event,etc, as by enemy agents, dissatisfied employees, general public...

The Olympics

It was early morning, Saturday, January 15th, 2012. I arrived at Wembley Park tube station. A cold and sunny morning, but snow was forecast. As I stood at the top of the steps leading down to the old Wembley Way, I felt emotionally overwhelmed by the mass of humanity that met my eyes.

Hundreds and hundreds of people of many races, ages, creeds, social status and colours were walking with purpose towards Wembley Stadium. There, they would turn right to Wembley Arena. The arches stood in front of us and the sun was rising. It was a spine-tingling moment.

What were we there for? A football match? A music festival? A religious gathering? 

None of those. It was the first meeting for some of the 70,000 volunteer London 2012 Games Makers. 10,000 people were booked for each of the weekend’s half day events. Though this was slightly disrupted by the heavy snow later in the day, which changed so many people’s plans. Lesson One for a Games Maker. Be adaptable.

I stood at the top of the steps and watched the sea of people. Thousands of people with the sole purpose of helping others enjoy a once in a lifetime event. I felt humbled. No personal or financial gain. In fact, a noticeable financial loss and personal inconvenience. Everyone putting their ego aside and working towards the greater good.

Four hours later I came away greater understanding as to why the big corporates have had to be involved in London 2012, whether I like it or not. Over 250,000 on line applications for Games Makers from around the world have been sorted, around 100,000 interviewed on the phone and in centres up and down the UK, 70,000 were now being trained and clothed for their various roles. Someone has had to pay for all of this. Only the corporates can afford it. 

I have had to question my principles. Do I take no part as a protest to some of the corporate involvement or did I look at the bigger picture? I have gone for the latter. I couldn’t make a positive difference doing the former, but I can with the latter.

In the same way, the security measures have to be extreme, because of the extreme behaviour of a handful of disturbed individuals in the past. 

I have been moved to write this open letter, after reading about some plans to protest at The London 2012 Olympics and one person’s sabotaging of the University Boat Race last week. The person was said to be protesting about the elitist universities. It proved not to be a protest at all, but the sabotaging of a sports event enjoyed by thousands of ordinary people and the shattering of the hopes and dreams of a few. It will change nothing about university entrance.

Many words were spoken at the Wembley event. Lord Seb Coe’s were amongst the words that I've remembered...and he knows what he’s talking about.

The Games Makers were asked to remember that when we are/if we are, mixing with the athletes, that they will probably have spent over half their life preparing for taking part in London 2012. I'd never thought of them like that before. Our work will about the competitors' comfort and security and that of the spectators. It's not about us.

That’s it. Simple really isn’t it? 

Protest perhaps, but please do not sabotage. You won’t make the slightest difference to the corporate community, but you may just deprive someone of their dreams. Athletes and spectators. That is just plain selfish and immature.


Thank you.

©RitaLeaman2012