OLYMPICS 2012: WE CAN'T TAKE PART - BUT WE WANT TO BE THERE!

The man on the radio was very enthusiastic. Yes, he said, the 2012 Olympics were going to be a great boost to everyone and it didn't matter whether you were living in Stratford or South Shields, the Games would offer something for you. He even suggested that people, ordinary people, were going to get caught up in the Olympic spirit and maybe even compete in the beach volleyball in the Mall or the canoeing at Broxbourne. Wow! Count me in!

But he wasn't talking to me. I don't think there's ever been someone over 70 who's won any kind of Olympic medal even though Sir Stephen Redgrave was almost hailed as a golden oldie when he collected his fifth gold at the 2004 Games. He was on the same radio programme giving his well-rehearsed "I-am-an-Olympic-legend" chat and reminding us all that even he, at 50 years old, was no longer capable of getting to the starting line let alone running, swimmming, rowing or doing anything else that requires either speed, stamina, power and often all three at the same time.

Sir Stephen will have plenty of media attention and VIP treatment during the 2012 Games while some of us will need a bus pass just to get there. Will there be any concessions for the millions of oldies who will be taking this last chance to see the World's greatest sporting spectacle? I doubt it. When the man on the radio was asked about tickets for 2012 he made no mention of special rates for oldies - but I bet students and under-16s will get some concessions.

The tickets don't go on sale until 2011 - and there will be around 7 million available. A lot of those will go to 'privileged' representatives, officials and corporate customers and you can be sure that many of them will be making quite a song and dance about the fact they have tickets for the opening ceremony, the 100 metres final, the swimming and all the other high profile events. You won't see them on Hadleigh Downs or at the canoeing heats!

We need to have a campaign: I love campaigns. Let's make a fuss and insist that all those over 65 should qualify for special admission prices and at least have a chance of seeing some of the athletic or swimming finals. We don't want to have concessions for the Greco-Roman wrestling and early rounds of the boxing that often take place before lunch. We should be able to buy - at a reduced rate - a book of tickets that include a cross-section of sporting events and include one or two finals.

They keep talking about the legacy of the Games and what it will mean to the children and young people who will be inspired by the events and performances they see in London. That's alright if you are 7, 17 or 27 - but tell me what anyone of 67 and 77 will get out of it! Well I suggest the man on the radio goes back to his Olympic friends and they all put on their thinking caps. Let's have some ideas that embrace the whole population.

Of course the Olympics are all about sporting achievement and supreme fitness but that shouldn't exclude anyone who can't run for a bus or jump over the puddles outside Sainsburys. As I have said many times on this blog, there are a lot of us out there. So the question is clear - what are they going to offer the golden oldies before, during and after 2012. We deserve a legacy as well.

A gold medal for the best suggestion!

THE CHRISTMAS YAWN

We all love it, of course. Christmas. Eat and drink too much then stretch out and snore away the hours until the next round of food and booze. Happens every year. Just to make you realise it's not all fun and festivities there are always a few family arguments to liven up the proceedings. The latest board game seemed like a good idea when it was purchased - but the rules weren't designed to be understood by anyone who has just had a few too many Bristol Cream sherries. You cheated. No, I didn't. That's me finished. Count me out.

Was it always like that? Well, yes it was actually. The TV also seemed to dominate Christmas Day and Boxing Day and there weren't many who would switch it off if Morecambe and Wise were doing one of their specials. And those who liked to wear some silly Santa outfit could spend the afternoon on the terraces watching a football match that was often an anti-climax for the largest crowd of the season.

As the years go by, the attractions of staying up late to play games, get drunk and watch a Hollywood blockbuster are not so appealing. Bed is far more inviting even if that means leaving the grandchildren downstairs to cause havoc as they become too tired for comfort and often very fractious.

The best part is still that walk after Christmas lunch..."to get a bit of fresh air". It does help to release some of the flatulence induced by the Brussel sprouts and the cup of tea when you return is very welcome. The presents which seemed like a good idea when you saw them in Marks and Spencer or Toys R Us are now piled in the corner almost forgotten. They will come out again on Boxing Day - but those gloves were not a good idea and there's already a suggestion that the shirt will be returned because it's the wrong size. Next year you vow to buy everything on-line.

The build-up to this period of over-indulgence becomes more frenetic as the hours and minutes tick by. By Christmas Day it's clear that there are too many tins of Quality Street, plates of nuts everywhere that bring on coughing fits and enough alcohol to have the neighbours round every night for a month. Next year, says someone, we are thinking of going to a hotel for a few days.

You never do. It's a just another example of the idle chit-chat that dominates the social banter when the tele isn't on. This is not an occasion for deep, philosphical conversations and for that we should be more than thankful. In fact, it's the best time for doing nothing except eating, drinking and sleeping. And my favourite is sleeping.

So I'm off to bed. You can't do that; it's only 10 o'clock. I can - and I am.

Good night.