Poverty Olympics torch handover in Glasgow


The Vancouver Poverty Olympics torch finally made it to a mega event in Britain with its first stop in Glasgow. The mainstream media, true to form, failed to show up to record the event. But GamesMonitor2014 were there to report despite their absence:

'Something did happen today in the East End and GamesMonitor2014 were there to record it The Jaconelli family, Save the Accord Campaigners, the Glasgow Anti-Eviction Alliance and the Scottish Tenants Organisation all marched in solidarity with supporters over the decimation of community in Dalmarnock.'

Following the eviction of the Jaconellis from their home to make way for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games questions are finally being asked about land deals which netted property developers millions of pounds in profit.

What with the focus on London 2012 we don't hear much about the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. But true to mega event form they are having their own negative impacts on some particularly vulnerable Glasgow residents.

On 27th August supporters of the Save the Accord Centre held a demonstration attended by around 500 people. This will be followed by a Glasgow Games Monitor 2014 Event: Whose Legacy? on 21st October, which will include an introductory talk by Libby Porter and Neil Gray, both from Glasgow University, on the Legacy from Mega Events, discussion with carers and the recently evicted Margaret Jaconelli and film shows.

The Accord Centre carers issued the following statement to accompany their demonstration:

Two newspapers have recently carried stories linking Stratford City and the Olympics. The Telegraph came up with 'London 2012 Olympics: legacy arrives early with the 2011 opening of Westfield Stratford' claiming the Olympics had resulted in the project being delivered 'seven years earlier than planned'. Dave Hill in the Guardian headlined his blog 'Olympic Park: Boris, shopping and visions of the good society' saying 'The Mayor profits from good news stories about the Olympics'.

The Jaconellis, the last people living on the site of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, were finally evicted on 24th March. Mrs Jaconelli insisted 'I will wait in the house till they come and put me out because I think Glasgow City Council should be shamed.'

Report by Carphone Warehouse Deputy Chairman David Ross after his appointment as Games legacy advisor by Boris Johnson. It recommends the creation of a special 'legacy delivery' vehicle ie. the OPLC.

The Property world is getting excited by the interest supposedly being showed in the Athletes’ Village and the Media Centre. Of course, expressions of interest are not the same as money on the table. But even if the money does materialise what does this signify? That property tycoons see an opportunity to make a profit? And that profit will be made at a loss to the public purse of at least £150million on the Village and an unknown sum on the Media Centre.