Making or breaking reputations in London this summer

The Oly****s (or should I say ‘the major sporting event in the capital of England this year’) will make or break thousands of reputations – sports and performers, organisers and sponsors, media and suppliers.

With thousands of hours of broadcasting and acres of print coverage, news and comment on every success or incompetence, every honourable or dishonourable action will be blasted out to audiences of billions worldwide. Performance and reputation were never so important.

So whose achievements and  renown have been boosted so far and whose performance and behaviour have tarnished their name? Here are some thoughts on a few of those on the UP or on the way down.

UP:   Danny Boyle   – his spectacular Opening Ceremony entertained billions that even his Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire did not reach

DOWN:   the Olympic family – for insisting on travelling in special Games lanes to the inconvenience of Londoners;

UP:  Games Makers – universally praised in the media for their attitude to everyone – three of us are proud to be among them.

DOWN:  accredited ticketholders (the Olympic Family again) – so many of them have failed to turn up to watch and left embarrassingly empty seats

UP:  British construction project managers (Olympic Delivery Authority) – after Wembley was so late and the Athletic stadium cancelled, there was much pessimism; in the end, the venues were ready on time and look good while the Olympic Park is superb, especially the landscaping.

DOWN:  LOCOG and sponsors brand protection team; – highly restrictive, overzealous and strict application has been mocked and condemned by media and public – now a subject of jokes.

UP:  the British public – for coming out in hundreds of thousands to support everyone noisily; where did the infamous British reserve go?.

DOWN: the British media pundits – who predicted that Team GB would win more than 47 medals in total, allowing for home advantage; with 15 so far nearly half way through that currently looks an over-optimistic expectation.

UP – the British Army and any security staff who are doing their jobs well and with a smile.

DOWN; the management of G4S responsible for recruiting and training staff: and any security staff who have been less than competent.

UP:   Heather Stanning and Helen Glover; – two unknowns whose lives will be changed by becoming our first Gold medal winners this year.

DOWN:  the Chinese, Indonesian and Korean women badminton players –  their negative tactics spoilt the evening for spectators, many of who had paid vast sums to watch them, as well as brought their teams into disrepute.

UP:  Boris – his bumbling and clumsiness have only added to his charm as a politician, while he has avoided any major gaffes….. so far.

DOWN:  The transport and border staff unions – trying to hold the country to ransom in the days before.   Levels of hatred among the public hit a news high.

UP:  Travel in London and booking restaurants –It’s so much easier to travel in Central London and get a table at usually full restaurants while every

UP:   TV – there’s something interesting and inspiring to watch on the box each night – beats Coro and East Enders and especially the One Show

UP:   the national spirit – a Team GB medal, especially Gold, is uplifting

UP:  Bradley Wiggins – surely soon to be Sir Bradley Wiggins – whose Tour de France win, Gold Medal and personality make him a certainty for BBC Sports Personality of the Year.