Sir, Now that we have finally reached the end of the Beijing Olympics no doubt minds will be focusing on London 2012 and its opening ceremony. May I suggest a suitable programme for it before the ideas reach Olympian flights of fancy.

One, a small band of trumpeters with a fanfare to attract attention. Two, Boris Johnson to cut pretty ribbon at whatever is the main stadium. Three, Johnson declares the Games open with the words “I hope you have a lovely time” — or “super time” if preferred. Four, the oldest living UK Olympic medal holder (already waiting by the bowl) lights the Olympic flame with a previously delivered torch. Five — optional — massed Olympic teams troupe in with their flags and wave while everyone claps. Six, they all get on with it. Time scale, 30 minutes. If absolutely necessary Morris dancers could perform wherever the queues are longest.

In this way we maintain our self-respect and individuality, while also saving mighty mounds of money and — possibly best of all — we don’t bore the world into a coma.

C. K. L. Gay
Lanivet, Cornwall

Sir, How ironic that the starring role in the London 2012 handover slot at the Beijing closing ceremony was filled not by one of our many Olympic heroes, past and present, but by David Beckham. Beckham more than anyone epitomises the failure of English football over the past ten years. Despite all his fame and fortune and the extravagant boasts of Beckham and his so called “golden generation”, the English team (which he led for six of those years) did not deliver at any European or World Cup tournament in that period. While Beckham may have stolen the limelight in Beijing yesterday, it is Team GB who will — deservedly — take all the glory. Let us hope Beckham and his colleagues are, for once, humble enough to reflect on that and learn some lessons from it.

Ken Woffenden
Guildford, Surrey

Sir, A radical rethink of the Olympic Games is needed most urgently. Grandiose schemes should be dropped in favour of using existing facilities, upgraded where necessary within a stringent budget. Some so-called sports should be removed from the agenda and others moved to the provinces. Otherwise, many countries less favoured than ours will come to the conclusion that future Olympics are the monopoly of those affluent societies that can afford to outdo one another putting on a grotesque spectacle in a welter of nationalistic fervour as far removed from the Olympic spirit as was Berlin’s before the war.

Kenneth Wood
Exeter, Devon

Sir, Congratulations to Britain’s Olympics team in Beijing. Their success sets a benchmark for London. But already the special pleading has begun for our competitors, who, many cry, will be underfunded, the £9.3bn budget insufficient.

What better opportunity, then, for the London Organising Committee to issue subscription bonds to make up any shortfall? That would show the true level of support for London, especially in the post-Beijing euphoria. Lord Coe and Lord Moynihan could head the list of subscribers.

Ronald Emler
London SW18

Sir, Surely we should not overlook Lord Tebbit’s contribution to our medal haul in these Olympics?

Julia Cripps
East Molesey, Surrey

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