Wednesday, 20 August 2008

Today I met with Robin and Heather from Hertsmere CVS who came to see what progress we had made with CRM and mywatford.net. I also met with local Crime Reduction Officer Mike Sibley to discuss setting up a “Good Neighbours” scheme, and with Helen Price (Volunteer Centre co-ordinator) on much the same theme.

Wet blanket

Immediately the British medal-rush started at Beijing, it occurred to me that it was four years too early. Britain’s athletes will certainly be expected to improve on this performance when the Olympics are held in London in 2012. Otherwise, at least in the world of domestic politics, London 2012 will be seen as an anti-climax. To use an athletic metaphor, the team of 2008 have set the bar very high.

Politicians and sports administrators will ponder upon this difficulty. They will notice that the country’s top sportsmen and women have turned investment into Olympic success. They will notice that the media loved it. They will notice that politicians can grab some of this glory for themselves. The more cynical will notice that charity and cultural investments rarely offer such media bonanzas.

For the next four years at least, politicians will find it very hard to resist the demands of the various sporting bodies - and correspondingly hard to find money for charitable adn community initiatives. While I have been thrilled by British performances in Beijing, I see a tough four years ahead for charity and community groups.