I was pleased that London won the right to host the 2012 Olympics last year. Not because I thought it would have a transformative effect on the city - London is too big for any one event to hold the attention of the entire metropolis.Not was I particularly impressed with the regeneration of Stratford. That would probably have happened anyway. As for the 'encouragement' the Olympics will give to the millions of fat children in the UK, well i doubt the Games will have that effect.
No, I love a good fight, a nice long-running bitching session, and the seven year build up to the Games looks set to be the biggest bitch fight in modern times.
Today, Tessa Jowell was hauled before the DCMS Select Committee to explain to MPs just how much these Olympics are going to cost. The summary of her answers was that she has absolutely no idea.
The first estimate was 2.4bn - at this stage the Olympic bid had cross-party support. Last week it was revealed that the initial calculations had not factored in VAT or increased security costs. It was estimated that the Games might cost 5bn.
In front of the Select Committee, Tessa joked that some estimates put the cost at 18bn. Funny. But not when we consider the shambles that was the Millennium Dome. Or the Scottish Parliament building.
A report to the London Assembly tomorrow will put the total cost of the Games at 8bn. London Mayor Ken Livingstone has already promised that London council tax payers will not be asked to contribute more than the 38p-per-week extra charge they are currently paying for the 30th Olympiad.
The good news for Tessa Jowell and London Mayor Ken Livingstone is that neither of them will be in office by the time the true cost of the Games are known. They will both be former politicians, no doubt with front row seats at the opening ceremony, but they will both point the finger at everyone else for the inevitable over spend.
The Tories, likely to be in power in 2012, have few options. They cannot cancel the Games. They cannot raise more money from Londoners. It seems that all UK taxpayers will end up footing the bill. It is also clear that the Lottery money currently spent on other new causes will be diverted to keep the Olympic show on the road.
The reason I was pleased that London won is that it provides journalists with great stories for the next six years and beyond.
The British press love nothing more than a good shambles, and judging by the past year of Olympics planning, they do not get more shambolic than this.
