Comments on: Olympics row resolved as regional press handed 39 passes

By: KellyC

KellyC — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:20:02 +0000

Well at least we’d have the chance to give it a go if we were actually there Observer. I’d rather local papers had a few more passes available as the BBC and PA seem to have hundreds available to them.

Report this comment

By: Observer

Observer — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:17:26 +0000

KellyC I’m afraid that even if you had your pass you would be unable to provide your readers the emotionally charged piece you dream of. The pass would admit you trackside – not into the spectator area where all the seats have been sold. You would get a better photo and quotes simply by nipping down to a local pub or club while all their chums are watching the event on TV.
And for a second photo you will get your champion arriving home with their medal and being greeted by neighbours etc.
I’m sorry but my view all along has been that what local journalists have really been angling for is free tickets so they can watch the Games!

Report this comment

By: Happy where he is

Happy where he is — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:15:00 +0000

Couldn’t agree with you more Goldfinger.
PS Want to buy an Olympic Flame holder ?
Going cheap at £35k

Report this comment

By: KellyC

KellyC — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:40:33 +0000

Observer, do you really think that that local papers won’t offer anything that the TV or nationals won’t offer? In that case, we all might as well pack up and go home. If my paper had been given a pass (we haven’t!) I would be covering every movement of our town’s Olympians, I would be travelling down to London with their families, and hopefully sitting close to them to see their reactions as they watching their children take part. It’s not really the result we’re interested in in the first instance, it’s the fact a local person is on a world stage, and bringing a medal home for the people who have supported them throughout their career. Would the TV crews be doing all that? For every single GB athlete? Really?

Report this comment

By: Mr I

Mr I — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:29:44 +0000

Are there 39 journalists still employed on newspapers?

Report this comment

By: Yaboo

Yaboo — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:06:14 +0000

NS ‘acted’ at last then…hope there’s some passes for directors now!

Report this comment

By: Observer

Observer — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:02:15 +0000

I still doubt if the local media will actually offer their readers anything those readers want which isn’t already going to be on TV or in the nationals. Still, it will be a pleasant day out for the reporters even if their readers don’t get anything out of it all.
But why does the Coleraine Times need a pass?!

Report this comment

By: Curious

Curious — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:49:34 +0000

My negative attitude towards the Olympics is being shaken by the genuine pleasure vast numbers of people seem to be getting out of the torch relay. I don’t want to be a killjoy so I must be the one out of synch.
Olympic fever has definitely taken root and it is only right that the regional press get the chance to milk that enthusiasm for the benefit of their readers and circulation.
The compromise isn’t ideal but at least it is something.

Report this comment

By: Neil R

Neil R — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:01:02 +0000

Also interesting to note that venue-specific passes for the sailing in Weymouth have been given to those celebrated Dorset publications, the East Surrey and Sussex Newspapers

Report this comment

By: Me

Me — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:39:27 +0000

How is that resolved? No one from my paper has agreed to this as full and final settlement?

Report this comment

By: Neil R

Neil R — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:04:10 +0000

A positive step forward but very frustrating how the passes have been allocated. At last count we had around 25 guaranteed Olympians in Bath, and that’s before the forthcoming athletics trials, but have not even been considered. Hopefully more thought will be given to the allocation of one-day passes.

Report this comment

By: Goldfinger

Goldfinger — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:36:28 +0000

Lost interest in Olympics already. Too much talk andf reporting about money, brands, sponsorship. All so deadly dull. Bet some miserable hack will be counting how much each gold medal cost us. Roll on the school sports.

Report this comment