Seb’s Olympic rings plan falls at the final hurdle
Historic Scotland has ruled out Olympic rings at Edinburgh Castle
PROPOSALS to place giant Olympic rings on Edinburgh Castle have been axed by Historic Scotland, marking a dramatic U-turn in the face of staunch public opposition and a campaign by the Evening News.
The controversial advert would have been unveiled at Hogmanay and remained fixed to the ramparts until late summer under plans to promote the London 2012 Games.
Critics had branded the move “unpalatable” and the £200,000 bill to taxpayers, revealed by the News, sparked outrage from city residents and politicians.
Olympic chiefs, led by Tory peer Sebastian Coe, had hoped the 30ft tall and 60ft wide Olympic insignia and the even larger Paralympic Agitos symbol would be beamed across the globe when unveiled during the Hogmanay bells.
But the application was blocked yesterday by Castle operator Historic Scotland.
Although the decision will sit well with public opinion, Olympic chiefs are said to be “baffled” by the move.
Officials from the Games body LOCOG travelled to Edinburgh with no site in mind and were told by public bodies – including Historic Scotland – that the Castle was a prime site for the advert. They said Historic Scotland was “very supportive” from the start, but the organisation appears to have backtracked in the face of public opposition.
Rather than raising concerns over the effect on the skyline or the image, it said the rings could affect the operation of the attraction.
One source close to the project said: “They [Historic Scotland] have been looking for a way out because of the public backlash and they’ve used the fact that the Castle is both a military installation and a top tourist attraction to do that.
“I don’t think they’d have let it go this far only to say for ‘operational reasons’ this can’t go ahead. They would have got that sorted before then.”
Despite the plans being rejected, LOCOG is expected to investigate placing the rings elsewhere in the Capital.
Independent Lothians MSP Margo MacDonald, who had warned the symbol was simply encouraging tourists to visit London, welcomed the decision. She said: “I’m delighted because it was a correct, mature decision taken in the interest of the economy. It wasn’t just a jolly ‘let’s support our boys and girls’, it was free advertising on a massive scale for a competitor city.
“I know this won’t change the way the people of the city support our athletes at the Games, but it will make a difference to those relying on tourism.”
Deputy council leader Steve Cardownie, who oversees major events, had said the unveiling of the rings on Hogmanay would have been a positive image to be transmitted around the world, but opposed the rings being in place for longer than a few days.
He said: “The people of the city are not anti-Olympic by any means. However, I’m glad to see the sensible decision has been taken.
“I think the very public backlash obviously has something to do with Historic Scotland’s decision.
“When this was originally discussed the public view had either not been taken into account, or had been underestimated.
“I think the Evening News is to be commended for channelling the protest from the public so that Historic Scotland couldn’t have failed to notice this is a step too far.”
Edinburgh Central MSP Marco Biagi welcomed the decision. He said: “Edinburgh Castle is Scotland’s most visited historic building, not a giant poster board. The Olympic logo was not at all appropriate for the location.”
A spokeswoman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: “We are disappointed by Historic Scotland’s decision, but respect their position.
“Having worked closely with them, the Scottish Government and Edinburgh City Council for many months, we thought it would be a fantastic celebration for Edinburgh and the Castle to showcase the rings, and a real boost for the city.”
A spokeswoman for Historic Scotland explained its decision.
She said: “Following careful consideration it is clear that the proposal would not be suitable for the successful operation of Scotland’s most popular heritage attraction.
“It may well be that there are other more suitable sites in Edinburgh, and the Scottish Government and agencies will work with LOCOG and Edinburgh City Council to do what we can to assist with the consideration of alternatives.
“We fully support the Olympic Games and we look forward to hosting the Speed of Light event on Arthur’s Seat.”
Poll results
On Monday we launched a poll to determine your preference for an alternative site for the Olympic Rings and Paralympic Agitos to be placed.
You can still have your say online today – at www.edinburghnews.com/saynotocoe – but here is how the results currently stand:
* Edinburgh Airport: 35%
* Forth Bridge: 24%
* The Mound: 23%
* City Chambers: 9%
* North Bridge: 8%
* Edinburgh Castle: 1%
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Comments
There are 27 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
Boab1
Monday, December 26, 2011 at 12:48 PMGameboy, behave yourself and don't be so over dramatic. As for your assertion that GE were going to install lighting saving £2.4 million in a five year period, well, I seem to recall the Olympics costing Scotland £180 million or thereabouts in Lottery funding which is being diverted to help with the cost of the Olympics. I'm delighted this idea has been rejected. Edinburgh Castle is an iconic world building. I do not wish to see it reduced to a glorified advertising hoarding for the next eight months until this shocking waste of money is over. It's already predicted that Scotland will lose out on tourism over the summer due to the OG. If you think sticking five rings on the side of a building will change that you're extremely naive.
Gameboy
Monday, November 28, 2011 at 11:12 AMHello everyone, Rather than just default to the usual growling anti-English defensiveness, why not act like mature grown-ups and do what's in your own best interests eh? Here's why Edinburgh Castle should have had the Olympic Rings: 1. It would have reminded hundreds of thousands of 2012 tourists to consider adding a trip to Scotland to their visit to the UK. On New Years Day, TV stations around the world will lead their news programmes with scenes of major cities celebrating. There's a traditional jaunt round the planet of global icons - Times Square, Place d'l Eiffel, Brandenburg Gate, Sydney Harbour Bridge, London Eye & Big Ben. That's usually about it. In an Olympic Year, most broadcasters - and especially Host Broadcasters (in the U.S that's NBC, Australia Channel 10, UK the BBC etc.) are required to produce a 1-hour New Year 'Olympic Special' to generate interest and excitement. This is part of the standard IOC's Broadcasters Contract. Placing the rings on Edinburgh Castle would have guaranteed Edinburgh global coverage, in every territory - all 204 countries - worth many $$millions. None of those broadcasters will now be able to incorporate images of Edinburgh in their programming. 2. It strengthens existing inward tourism campaigns. There are a variety of organisations around the world promoting Scotland as a destination during London 2012. In the U.S the US Olympic Committee has been promoting 'Britain Bound' - as part of which they made a video at Edinburgh Castle (http:www.visitbritain.comenUSBritain-Bound-Jeremy-Campbell-Day-One.htm). However as a result of this Evening News campaign those efforts look a bit stupid now don't they? You haven't thumbed your nose at Seb Coe - all anyone in London will do is smile wryly and say 'Ah well, that's the Scots for you!". What you have done is humiliate American, Australian, German, French etc. broadcasters and NOCs. By refusing to put the paralympic agitos, you've also insulted disability athletes and their supporters from around the world. The Agitos is held very dear by these groups. Stupid, stupid, stupid. 3. Tower Bridge doesn't seem to have a problem with it. Edinburgh Castle may be iconic, but another icon - London's Tower Bridge - will be displaying the rings and the paralympic Agitos quite successfully. This bridge will be opening and closing to allow river traffic throughout the Games. Once, Scottish engineers and architects were the pride of the nation, today Historic Scotland can cite 'operational problems' with hanging some hoops on a wall. God help us. (http:www.towerbridge.org.ukTBEENNewsAndEvents2012celebrations.htm) 4. And here's the clincher: you've lost jobs and money. No where in this story does it say that GE - an Olympic Partner - was prepared to announce it was going to install - gratis - a low-energy lighting system at Edinburgh Castle, creating 15 jobs and saving the Scottish taxpayer £2.4m in energy costs over a five-year period. This stupid campaign of artificial outrage, stirred up by the Evening News, has cost the people of Edinburgh jobs, money, international prestige and and made you look small-minded and parochially foolish in boardrooms across the world. Idiots.
JCA REID
Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 01:03 PMAgree with comments - what has Edinburgh to do with the Olympics? It's London's!! Just a piece of patronising bs! - that's gonna cost the edinburgh folk dosh!!
whatastramash
Friday, November 25, 2011 at 10:09 AMSorry that should have been "what they've done there"
whatastramash
Friday, November 25, 2011 at 10:08 AMNo 16 Zuerich. What thet've done there is place a huge searchlight on the esplanade to cast a shadow on the buildings behind the logo
Charlie McFarley
Friday, November 25, 2011 at 12:11 AMFive interlocking coloured condoms defacing one of Scotland's premier landmarks and a world heritage site- the very idea was no more serious than an April fool story yet, incredibly, it was not only proposed by Coe and his clowns at the olympic gravy train committee, it was also sanctioned by Historic Scotland. Talk about crass insensitivity and bad judgement all round. I know that Princes St and the Royal Mile have been allowed to be degraded by so many shops selling tartan tat made in China, but this was a proposal too far. I complained immediately to UNESCO's world heritage department and I would like to think that they may have reminded Historic Scotland of their responsibilities, as so many people in Scotland have been doing.
Dragonlord
Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 10:25 PM1# Yes we do need a sixth option. " tell Coe to stick it where the sun don't shine"
zippitydoodaa
Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 06:47 PMHer's an idea - How about in ..........LONDON! Crazy idea, but it might just work.
Snoopy1
Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 06:07 PMThre are a few places to put the Rings,1 The Forth Bridge, 2 Calton Hill 3 Salisbury Crags 4 On the roof of Steve Cardownies house,just for Hogmanay,5 Pentland Hills at Hillend,6 Blackford Hill,7 The LibDem office HQ at Haymarket,8Tyncastle the home of the Hearts,9The North Bridge10 Slung from the Dean Bridge.
zippitydoodaa
Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 05:38 PMThe mind boggles - What on earth has Edinburgh go to do with the London Olympics? It's in a different country fer chrissakes. Or maybe it's because we're all Bwitish? Even the English aren't buying that one anymore!!
pretty woman
Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 05:02 PMWhat a ridiculous idea for a historic building.
Zuerich
Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 04:03 PMWhy have the rings in the graphic got a shadow behind? The sun's on the other side... P.S. message to Seb - Ha ha
zulu
Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 03:47 PM"Although the decision will sit well with public opinion, Olympic chiefs are said to be “baffled” by the move" Led by TORY peer Sebastian Coe. Is this creature for real? How the hell does hethey have the absolute audacity to even think this hair brained scheme would get the go ahead by the good people of this fine city. Get away with ya!
Brit-free
Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 03:33 PMof course you miss the point .....the Commonweath Games are for we Scots , normal , in that we participate in the same way that ALL other NATIONS of the World might in an international competition ...i e . under our own Flag and in our own name ...whereas Olympics are where we participate under a flag that trumpets our inferior status whilst the interchangable British....Engerlish ....claim the glory ..i am exclusively Scots .i do not wish to be made invisible on the worlds stage , more than i have to ..Commonweath YES ....Olympics No
Russell Mitchell
Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 03:21 PMIf we are hacked off with the costs of this farce what will we be like when we are all encouraged to take interest in the Commonwealth farce which is unlikely to not run out of cash before the great day. The Olympic Games should have a permanent site paid for pro rata on medal wins by all countries. It should be in Greece where it all started as opposed to creating a new empty concrete bowl every four years! The World Cup should do something similar but please not in Qatar! PS Christmas should be every four years like the Olympic Games and World Cup.
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