2012.....The year of the Olympics

During the Christmas break I spent a day at the Westfields Shopping Centre in Stratford, London. It wasn’t just a day to explore the three storey shopping Mall hunting for January sale bargains or to eat my way through the World Food Court; it was my chance to see where all the action is going to take place in the summer.

Professionally, 2012 for me means the increase in the unfair dismissal qualifying period and the proposed Tribunal procedure changes (amongst many others), socially 2012 means celebrating the Queens Diamond Jubilee with an extra bank holiday and London hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.

Whilst in Stratford I managed to get lost (never rely too heavily on Sat Navs) and ended up driving round and round Stratford, this of course had its advantages as I got to see the Olympic Village, Aquatics Centre and the Olympic Stadium...all at a distance I must add however highly impressive all the same. Seeing the site for real started to get me excited for the Summer and I’m now looking into going on a proper tour of the Olympic Park (minus the car and Sat Nav).

Whilst reading into the Summer Olympics I learnt that they will generate a predicted £10bn in revenue for the British economy and revenue from tourists attracted by the Games are predicted to add up to an additional £2.1bn, refreshing news in such hard economic times. 

I am now marking off the days on my new 2012 calendar for the opening ceremony and wish all contestants well... especially the Brits!!!

Please see the official London 2012 site for facts, figures and interesting information.

Rebecca Hardy