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The olympics were a total disaster

The overweening publicity & groupthink & blatant censorship was quite sickening - NOT ONE DISSENTING VOICE was allowed on radio, TV or press

It is my estimate that a mjority of Londoners wanted the whole thing OVER before it even beagn, but we were not allowed to say so ...

Never mind the "paralympics" which resembeled nothing so much as a 19h Century "Freak Show" - quite disgusting & exploitative.

I am a reasonably active 76 year old male. I have always got around by cycling, walking or using public transport. I have never owned a car.. Honestly, I have never needed a global sporting event to inspire me to be physically active. This is does not mean I am not interested in sport. Over the years I think I have obtained a knowledge of the geography and economy of the counties around London that many "locals" do not seem to possess. Too often their mobility seems to be limited by their use of the ubquitous 4X4's.  Car culture is a problem that exists all around us. Look at the school run, for instance. Why can't . children walk, cycle or use public transport to get to school ? At the time I regarded the 2012 Olympics as a white elephant which earned profits for property companies and TV companies and made local people homeless, less we forget. Whether they "nudged" people into undertaking physical activity that they would not have otherwise undertaken is a moot point.

The Olympics were a net economic loss for London and the UK economy.  The event itself dissuaded thousands from visiting London at that time, and significant numbers of Londoners simply left because of the scaremongering about overcrowding and congestion (which of course meant none of that happened).   The regeneration in Stratford was welcome, but the Olympics were not needed to do this.  The stadium itself was a massive transfer of wealth from future taxpayers to West Ham (the Olympics were paid by borrowed money, none of which is going to be paid off for many years). 

Events are fine, as long as they don't require a lot of taxpayer money. 

GOOD FOR YOU

Anoither one, nice to know we exist, isn't it?

The economic benefits on these events are extremely dubious, based on "research" done by those who want the events which tend to inflate the benefits and understate the costs.  Look at the Olympic venues around the world left idle. Dont waste time and effort chasing these, they make no real long term impact and are more for the owners of the events and self-legacy seeking politicians and organis

Quite surprised to see such negative responses to the sporting events in London. I've always found them to be inspiring and promote a sense of unity and pride amongst (most) people, and especially those who go to watch them. I was really proud of London when the Olympics were in town, and thought it was hilarious how much negativity there was leading up to it and then how much fun it was when it was on. I guess if you don't like crowds then you're never going to be on board with a sporting event... it just takes a bit of patience. If you're someone who is really averse to lots of people in one place then London itself is always going to be a challenge. Not sure that's about sport per se... I do think alongside hosting the big scale events there should be more investment in grass roots sport across the city and the country - the Olypmics did help with that as far as I can see, but there is lots more that can be done. I think sport is a really integral part of a healthy culture - and you should be able to see that whether or not you like sport yourself. Two things that definitely need to be tackled going forward are the perception of sport amongst school children, especially young women; and the involvement of people in sport throughout the different stages of life, particularly in the context of a local community. There are bigger conversations there too about how the Mayor works to protect the integrity of local communities/neighbourhoods from gentrification and the machinations of the market that force people to move on from the communities they've grown up in because they can no longer afford to stay there.

I find them an inconvenience, and I'm not interested in the sport. They're tolerable provided the impact on those of us who use the city day by day is minimal, but there have been occasions when it's been difficult to go about my day-to-day life because the Marathon or another event is on, and there are other times when a station full of beered-up sport fans is not something that is pleasant for the rest of the world to experience. Personally I find sporting events overrated and lacking in interest, but I'll put up with them provided they don't drastically affect my life.

I object absolutely to public money going into attracting, holding, organising or policing these events, under any circumstances.

Whilst I appreciate all comments I don’t necessarily agree with them.

having volunteered at the Olympics, Paralympics, Rugby World Cup, ICC ChampionsTrophy, International Hockey, World Athletics, World Para Athletics et al and spoken to both athletes and spectators we should be proud as all have made positive remarks about London’s ability to host World Class sporting Events.

As to the question asked about inspiring me to take up more sport then I guess it has, as I volunteer and that’s a very active “sport” in itself.

Finally, to the detractors, you need to get out more ;-))

I've been to and taken my kids to lots of the sporting events in London and have been proud that my City is so welcoming and supportive. The Olympics and Paralympics in 2012 were a huge success with events supported like never before. Since then the Ride London has become a staple part of the year and the worlds largest cycling participation event; the World Athletics in 2017 was brilliant; the Olympic Velodrome has hosted great competitions; the O2 has become the home of the tennis ATP Finals; the England Women's cricket team won the World Cup and Lords and hopefully the men's team can do the same next year. Many of these events are supported by 1000s of volunteers helping to welcome visitors and keep people safe. Elite sport in London is a huge success story and something we can be justifiably proud of.

More does need to be done to invest in grass roots sports and sports facilities and this is still an area where the Mayor can do more. Investing in activities that engage young people through sport can help improve lives and reduce crime and it is no coincidence that the current increase in violent crime has come after years of cuts to youth services. It would also help if open space is designed well and incorporated into new developments like Earls Court and Nine Elms.

In terms of inspiring more activity I've gone from not having ridden a bike in years to having taken part in the Ride London four times. Not bad for a middle-aged, overweight office worker.

Attended the olympic, (well, worked there in a medical capacity, and bagged a lot of extra tickets as the venues were mostly empty due to the booking shambles), but that's pretty much it, sport to me is somehting you do, but not watch. 

Chelsea season ticket holder here: I have been fairly active since a child in sport and am an FA-qualified coach too. The Olympics was most definitely underwhelming but I love watching a great Chelsea match, esp in UEFA Champions League nights. And even abroad: been all the way to Japan, Thailand & Indonesia with CFC. Rugby my second favourite but far behind football. 

I start with the assumption that it's a good thing to get more people more active. I now bike frequently, not because it's cheaper (I enjoy free PT), but because it's healthier for me, better for the environment, sometimes enjoyable, and often quicker. I don't see that big sporting events do much to help. I'm unlikely to go to many because I have other demands on my cash. I'm just as happy watching cricket or rugby in a park; after all, it's just men and women running around. But I acccept I take some interest in the big events; I watch them on TV. I don't think that has much influence on what I do, but it shouldn't be too hard to measue the effect on us all. Cost is of course a factor. NFL games may help if, far from costing us (the country, London, my borough) money, they bring money into the country. Other events may be a drain on public finances, in which case it's fair to ask if the money would do more if spent on school or community playing fields, or on campaigns to encourage wider participation. 

Frankly, I don’t follow sport very much and don’t attend any of these major sporting events. They certainly don’t inspire me to undertake more sporting activities as I am already very active. However, I recognise this is a minority view and am happy for London to host these events, providing that expenses are limited to a reasonable level. 

The olympics were a disaster for London and a real pain for Londoners. Hope no Mayor ever makes that mistake again. Also the annual BAD BORIS BIKE EVENT that annually traps people in their houses and innconveniences so many people isanother crazy event. Just angers people and puts them of because of the fanatical Lycra warriors!

I have to confess that none of these huge sporting events have made me more physically active. But then I am naturally lazy. But surely they raised the profile of both the UK and London? And gave many people the opportunity to participate and contribute to these events. And the chance to attend a global sporting event that they may not otherwise have been able to afford to do in another country.

And I feel that that such events do make people more aware of physical activity/sport, and encourage them to be more active. And has brought home issues such as the lack of school sports amenities/playing fields. Even if children are inspired by these sporting events, they don't have the facilities to pursue their ambitions.

Was there a downside to the Olympics? Definitely: the local residents and businesses displaced from their homes and premises. Absolutely shameful, and I'm not convinced that it was necessary.

I have no interest in viewing or attending any sport. I am however fairly active and walk at least 10km per day.

For me the olympics were just a massive disruption. Not only was my work travel from north to south London, but my employer canceled all annual leave for the entire period of main and para with a buffer either side.

But of course many people do like sports for some reason so the gov should take notice of these people.

Ever since I was a little boy I dreamt of going to the Olympics and in 2012 tghey landed on my door step. I was worried they wouldn't live up to expectations but they actually far esceeded it. I have never been anywhere in the world where a whole city was buzzing with sheer enjoyment for so long. For two weeks, London realluy did seem like the centre of the universe. I've been to a fair few great athletics events in the Olympic stadium and swum in the Olympic pool. But back to the question. I am not sure I have been inspired by sporting events to take up activity/exercise. However, once I have started I have been inspired to improve my game. Watching swimming, particularly Adam Peaty's breastroke, has enabled me to improve my stroke. Watching the Tour De France and other cycling events has enabled me to understand that I can recover to continue my ride after that big hill. Like some other respondents, I did the Prudential Ride on Sunday - ok it rained but what a privilege to ride round the iconic streets of London car free. I could go on but to answer your three questions: yes, yes and yes. Keep sport coming to London.

the only good I can see is the money made by local people from these events. I am extremely active but never do sports and have no interest in them

I am a big supporter of large-scale sporting events being hosted in London. I think that, when done well, sport has the power to bring normally unconnected people together. I saw that first-hand with the volunteers and spectators involved with the Olympics but I also think that it happens on a smaller scale with single-sport events. 

I'm "inspired" to do physical activity when I see a car-free cycle route, a great local swimming facility and a team sport or exercise class promoted in the local sports centre.

The Olympics had a cost per head far in excess of the benefit - money is better spent on providing facilites and promoting them well to encourage participation. 

I think by far the most inspiring event I have been to is park run, its accesible and encourages community involvement. Using this model for other sports would be really beneficial, and bring some focus back to the local community instead of just large events in central London. 

Yes, I think that it is important for London as a major world city to host these events. The Olympics demonstrated how such events can bring an often divided community together. There are also the inevitable economic benefits. I wouldn’t say that they inspire me to take on more sports but they do encourage me to go out and see more, less significant, live sport.

There are plenty of opportunities for people to take part in sport in London we have lots of parks and green spaces you can hire bikes join a local excercise /sport clubs it is up to the individual. Personally I have no interest in sport but I enjoy going to parks/nature reserves and walking the dog. Olympics/cycling events are of no interest to me and would not encourage me to take part.

They have had zero impact on my life (ever) beyond being something to be endured or avoided - and I used to be very active.  Why does any city hold these? Who is profiting? What do they think will be the outcomes? I'm guessing this is about money in the pocket of a few. Certainly not the health and wellbeing of the many.

They are good for the City generally but I have no interest in team sports, instead I walk and swim regularly.