Olympics in Coventry

I didn't even know my friend Dougie was carrying a torch - and why in West Brom indeed Here's his nomination story : Doug Chamberlain Hometown Coventry Age 55 Carrying the Flame through West Bromwich Carrying the Flame on 30 June 2012 Doug's nomination story Douglas is a loyal and dedicated member of Wayfarer's Club, Coventry Mencap, and has been for almost 40 years. His quiet determination to have a go at activities shines through. Not always the fastest nor the winner but his determination to succeed in whatever he tries shines through. A keen swimmer for many years, and once he had mastered how he could take his feet off the floor of the pool to becoming a confident swimmer his forte has become long distance. He now has many medals and ribbons to show for all his hard work. He never misses training and is always a team player, often in the background but always there. His very real enjoyment of music and drama shows with always a smile and thumbs up, not wanting to be the star but then every production needs a chorus line and Douglas again is there supporting everyone else to shine. Recently Douglas's father died and now he helps his mum and sister, who is also learning disabled, to carry life on as normally as they can. Saying he is trying really hard to carry on doing the jobs dad did to help mum, but he misses going fishing, but he can and does do the gardening, having helped his dad for many years. He has been able to continue maintaining the family garden to a very high standard. Wayfarer's are proud to nominate Douglas to carry the Olympic torch, he is a true friend to many and shows strength and support to others with his determination to just have a go. He is an amazing ambassador for people with a learning disability.

Hi all Without starting a separate thread for the Olympics in Coventry, I found the comments about the canal boat service, serving the 'City of Coventry Stadium' interesting from the Telegraph. Spectators can also reach the stadium by water taxi.

I wonder where the narrowboat will moor up at the stadium end? Maybe by the footbridge that goes over the railway line by the old coal loading/unloading wharf but that's now a housing estate, as for parking your car at Swan Lane wharf well I had a job to park my motorcycle recently on a visit to that site, it's a good idea, don't get me wrong I'm not trying to put a damper on the idea and I dare say they have been thought about and I'm too stupid not to see them

Must agree with MR on this. Couldn't find any reference about someone trying to nick the torch but not really surprised. Did find something about Rogue Trader presenter being jailed for fraud. Les

Hi Les, the "nick the torch" incident was just two young lads wanting their photo taken holding the torch - but as is usual with these things it was rather over-hyped by the reporting media! Sorry, but I'm not sure what the connection is between a presenter on "Rogue Traders" and the Olympics?

Hello Catshed, Hi all, I will make it my business to follow this up about the boarding points. I once had a ride on a London Transport narrowboat, along the Thames to a wharf at the 'Bank'. It was in the early eighties that I did this journey aboard a narrowboat with the standard London Transport livery. Just looking on the web, it is now a well developed service. I can just see this in Coventry. "Hold tight, next stop, Longford". London River Bus

Now the flame is on its last legs around London, and the capital is set for the opening on the 2012 Olympics, here in Coventry we are gearing up as well. If only we had a few more letters? I don't know why but as I pass here every day, they seem to have left a few letters out. The scaffolding has all been taken down and it is only days away now. Does any one know why? Has any one got any spare A4 paper they can donate?

Hi all Next Sunday I will see the Olympic torch at the Olympic Park in London. My family (husband, son, daughter-in-law and granddaughters) have tickets for the hockey on Sunday and basketball on Tuesday. We are really excited about the games and are looking forward to the matches, and the opportunity to see around the Olympic Park. Maybe it's time the moaning and groaning by the media stopped and we embraced the spectacular show that this country is so good at putting on.

Hi Tricia, Hi all I am sure that Tricia is right with this. Negative talk about anything produces a negative situation. The current economic situation is made all the worse by being talked down, which in turn can set our mood. The Americans are good at inventing words & they have a word that describes negative thoughts. I think that I might have shared this before on here. Picture a wide road that you are cycling along. Just you on your bike & this very wide road. In the distance you can see in the middle of the road, a small stone. It is so easy to become fixated on this small stone, so much so that you hit it with your front wheel & come off the bike. The word 'Scotoma' is a medical term which refers to blind spots, but the Americans use it to describe the situation with the stone & the bike. To think that I had a great wide road to ride along, but I had to go & hit the stone. An attitude of mind induced, even though there was no need for me to hit the stone. Many of the none staged clips on the 'You have been framed' tv show are examples of this. In effect, a small distraction can make us blind to everything else, even though it can be clearly seen.

Part of the negativity about the Olympics is possibly due to the fact that virtually none of the sports in the Games are major spectator sports - in fact many of them are extended pastimes where the good and the nearly good compete against one another Even the top spectator sport of Association Football is not competed for by full international teams Perhaps this explains why sometimes the opening and closing ceremonies are the best attended occasions - it seems, closely following by flame torch carrying - all of these televised for hours on end I love my sport - I can't do without my fill of it - but I cannot think of one competition in the Olympics which attracts Today we have a cricket test match and The Open Golf Championship taking place - we've just had the UEFA Championships and the Speedway World Cup - the Stobart Super League is building up to its annual play-offs - there have just been some interesting World Title fights and Wimbledon recently ended I'm not a fan of the Tour de France or F1, but they've both taken place today in front of millions That's nine top spectator sports - I know there's cycling and soccer and boxing and tennis in the Olympics, but they don't seem comparable with the events I've mentioned above I take nothing away from the hours, no, years of training and dedication of the competitors - well done to you all And good luck to those who do enjoy watching them - I hope you all have a great two weeks

I can think of a few million (maybe billion) spectators world-wide, and some of the worlds largest companies, who are investing millions of pounds/dollars to show their wares in front of that audience, that may well disagree with you

Hi to you both. Hi all It's a pity that the Tour de France cycle endurance race is not an Olympic event. It would have been gold & silver for the UK. I do hope that is a good omen for our games.

Wow, Tricia, you are so lucky to have tickets and to be able to soak up the atmosphere at Olympic Park. I am really looking forward to watching so many sports but it will only be on TV. My favourites are athletics, swimming, gymnastics, cycling, but love watching most sports. So many hours of training and dedication have been spent to reach the ultimate goal. Like you I wish the media would be more positive and make the Olympics one to be proud of.

Hi all Dalek security in Coventry & more UPDATE: It looks as though Coventry was the only Olympic venue to get things right. The Welsh had loads still trying to get in half an hour after their game had started & the Scots put the wrong flag out at theirs. Talk about showing red to a bull! What a gaff! Good old Coventry, warts and all.