Can Britain ever host the Olympics?

Is it realistic to put forward another British bid for the Olympics given the size and scope of the modern Games?

Sydney 2000 has been a huge success both for the city and Australia as a whole and bringing the Olympics back to Britain for the first time since 1948 would undoubtedly be a big boost for the country.

But is one of the lessons to be learnt from Sydney that Britain could never hope to match the glamour, prestige and sense of occasion emanating from this Olympics?

Birmingham and Manchester both failed with recent bids to stage the Games but who can see either city putting on a better show than the rivals that beat them - Barcelona and Sydney?

Londoners may argue that the English capital would give any other destination a run for their money in terms of generating a cosmopolitan feel.

Edinburgh could argue likewise, while Cardiff has a stadium that could undoubtedly be put to good use if the Games made an unlikely visit to Wales.

But will the infrastructure ever be in place in any British city to make it happen?

Perhaps you think Britain deserves a chance to prove the doubters wrong... or maybe you feel it would prove a costly and embarrassing mistake to even try.

Tell us - and the world - what you think.

Can Britain ever host the Olympics?

As an English citizen residing in Sydney, I agree that England and perhaps London should definitely contest for the Olympics in 2012. The capital has the sense of location and gravity required to create a fantastic games. England should start building the extra facilities before bids commence, in the belief that they will eventually win it. Don't wait to be given the chance, set about building for it now... Sydney has spent the last 7 years in preparation, which has provided a very positive and creative direction for the State of New South Wales. The last 2 weeks down here have been tremendously emotional and exciting... England needs to go through this!
Steve Hufton, Australia

Of course Britain can host The Olympic Games. We are a great nation, we have tremendous resources, talent and TV stations which are second to none. We have architects who are the envy of the world and a long tradition in sport. The crux of the issue will be whether the government back the bid seriously or just give it 'fair weather' backing. The government has certainly had its fingers burned by The Millennium Dome project and will need to ask the question as to whether it's prepared to give full backing whilst not trying to control the project for votes. Let's put sport first and political point scoring way at the back of the field.
Adrian Wheeler, England

As an English citizen residing in Sydney, I agree that England and perhaps London should definitely contest for the Olympics in 2012.

  Steve Hufton, Australia

If we were to host the Olympics it would have to be in the centre of London - as the Australian games were in the centre of Sydney. Build a stadium where the Dome is or on top of the old Battersea power station. People will throw up their hands in horror at such a suggestion, but they are the only truly central sites with the infrastructure. And what about Matthew Pinsent winning his sixth gold medal rowing on the Thames, eh?
Ben Lawers, UK

I see no reason why Great Britain could not host the Olympics. The capital would be a fitting venue and due the recent successes of our athletes, maybe it should be something that the city and the country should seriously consider. It could put a good use to the so-far wasted Millennium Dome.
Marcus, UK

Britain has recently been made to look like a tired old nation in the past year. In the Olympic and Millennium celebrations we were all looked in wonder at Sydney's offerings compared to the half-hearted shambles we put on these days. I believe we could host an Olympics but we have to take it seriously as a nation. If a faltering Prime Minister wanted to make a leap in the opinion polls he should go all out for the Olympics.
Peter Hodkinson, England

Although I would love to see the UK host the Olympics, I do not think we have the facilities to do so. If we are to try another bid we need to build new stadiums and swimming pools to give us a realistic chance.
Ann, England

Britain has recently been made to look like a tired old nation in the past year.

  Peter Hodkinson, England

I think it would be great to have the Olympics in Britain, but I doubt a British Olympiad could top the Sydney Games. The climate, the friendliness and enthusiasm of our residents and the youthful vibrance of the city is unrivalled in the UK.
Martin Thomas, Australia

I don't see why Britain couldn't host the Olympics, I would think London would be a great place once Wembley Stadium has been rebuilt...and maybe the dome could be put to good use for a change...bring on 2012!!
Louise Beall, UK

Of course Britian can host the olympics, but its now high time the Olympic games come to Africa, because some coutries such as South Africa, Egypt and Morroco have all the infrustructures and will soon have Stadias and all that is needed in time.
Benjamin Segobaetso, Botswana

Having been a recent visitor to London, I can see no reason why the Olympics could not be held there. With an overhaul of the underground system and a general upgrade of some other facilities London would be top class. Can you imagine how dramatic rowing on the Thames or equestrian in Windsor Park would be. Good Luck
Ross, Australia

Having been a recent visitor to London, I can see no reason why the Olympics could not be held there

  Ross, Australia

The answer is absolutely not, a crumbling transport system, a service industry that does not understand the concept of good, polite service not to mention that the UK is one of the most expensive countries in the world. And contrary to the belief of another of your respondents our organisational skills leave a lot to be desired. The best example of this was the Millennium preparations/celebrations...a river of fire that never burned, a Millennium wheel that did not turn, a Millennium bridge that had to be closed because it was unsafe to cross and a Millennium dome that has failed to capture the imagination of the British people let alone the world. No, I think we have a long, long way to go before we can even think of hosting the Olympics.
Janina Stajic, UK

There is no reason why Britain, probably London, cannot host the Olympic Games. We have the infrastructure, we will have the stadia and all we need is the time. Roll on a bid for 2012.
Allister Webb, Great Britain

There is no reason why this country can't put on a good Games. But why must London be thought to be the automatic choice of host city? This country is more than just London. The midlands would, in my mind be the best site.
Michael Moore, England

The UK could possibly hold an Olympics here- but let's see how Manchester copes with the Commonwealth games first. If that's a success, then this may show that we are capable of putting together a good show for the Olympics. Only problem is the UK is such a small, crowded place to build the facilities required!
James Milburn, UK

Given the time and the money we could put on just as good a show as they did in Sydney.

  Sally, UK

Given the time and the money we could put on just as good a show as they did in Sydney. We have the organisational skills, the public transport facilities and many great venues now and due in the future. What more do we need?
Sally, UK

Obviously, I would dearly love to see the Olympics come to Great Britain. It would give an invaluable boost to British sport and the national spirit alike, but when it comes to how realistic the proposition may be, the British climate itself will prove an obstacle, let alone the demand for impressive facilities.
Henry, United Kingdom

It would take a massive investment but the defunct millennium dome site would probably be a good place to start putting the infrastructure in place to have any chance of submitting a successful bid for any Olympic, Commonwealth or other sporting event(s)
Brian Cropper, UK

Of course Britain can host the Olympics it has a population of 60 million compared to Australia 20 million. London is far better known than Sydney or Barcelona, and we have the fifth biggest economy in the world, give me a reason that is preventing us from not hosting the Olympics?
Dave Watson, UK

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