The Olympic Archery Has Begun.

Although the Olympic opening ceremony doesn't begin until 20:00 (21:00 local) today (27/7/12) the preliminary or "ranking" rounds of the archery competition has begun at Lords cricket ground. Despite the fact that this event is not open to the public there have been problems with queues preventing competitors and officials getting into the venue for the start of the event. What appears to have caused the problems is the Olympic organisers decision to describe the first day of the archery as a "non-ticketed event." In Britain this always means that the public don't need tickets to attend the event because it is open to all. So what the Olympic organisers meant to do was describe it as a "closed event" meaning that it is not open to the public.

This mistake is so elementary I think the organisers did it on purpose to promote discussion about the problems that will be faced during the games in getting spectators into venues. Along with congestion on roads and public transport getting spectators into the venues one time will be one of the big problems of the games. That's because due to security and marketing concerns everybody and everything going into an Olympic venue will have to be searched in detail. My advice is to make sure you only take with you what you need and try and turn up at the venue one hour before you want to be inside the venue.

Now if anyone needs me at around 09:55 on 27/7/12 I'm going to the gym. Then shall we say I've seen previews of the Olympic ceremony and I think there's only one way to make sure you get the full effect. I blame Cirque Du Soleil.