Alfie van den Bos writes for the University of York’s Yorker challenging the notion that criticism of the Olympics is mere grumpiness:

With a vast amount of media attention, world leaders and famous athletes, as well as non-sporting figures, coming to London this week, it has proved an all too irresistible cliché for politicians to say something along the lines of using the 2012 London Games to showcase the “best of Britain”.

That strange breed of person, who confuses valid political criticism of how the Olympics are being run with stereotypical English cynicism, also populate the airwaves and internet, telling everyone to stop being ‘grumpy’ and embrace the events, telling of how all these famous folk “are coming here”, so we must put on a good show. Aside from the general stupidity of these arguments (Britain has enough heritage and other attractions to reel in famous people and tourists all year round), they have a glaring flaw in particular.

That is, it should be clear to anyone that the Olympics have been during preparation, and will be, a débâcle that only serves to underline various problems with British political culture. Lets take a look at but a few of these…

Full story here.