As a Brummie I have a lot of respect for Brum. So Brum put in a bid for the games and 'won' the bid..... Be careful what you wish for!
Although I have no interest in sport I think it's great when these events take place. I was fortunate to be in London when London was awarded the 2012 olympics. I think they had about 5 years to prepare. I was working in health care and emergency planning and response. The amount of work up to the games increased the workload of individuals in my sector many fold, with out any extra resources.
Mainly planning the what if scenario. Terrorist attack down to an overseas dignitary falling ill at the games. The spin doctors talk about the legacy of the games, I call it the Aftermath. Debt up our eye balls, half the road space taken up by games traffic with road area sectioned off, and a fine for anyone who dares to go over the white line.
Then there is the renewed ( transient ) interest in sport, new cycle lanes spring up over night like mushrooms in the September morning dew. Security is another area. In the run up to the games, businesses will lose staff, because folks want to volunteer for stewarding, security, etc. You feel you can't refuse as the games are high profile and what if your staff went to the press - 'my manager will not allow me time off to be an ambassador for Brum' The positive side is 'I was there' it was my experience. You will be there, your experience. I saw the stadia, velodrome and the multi million pound improvements to Stratford station much of which is now under utilised.
Birmingham, make the most of this for your great city - be careful...... There are many people in your city that could benefit directly if the cash spent on the games was redirected to them and would make a big difference.
