Free Speech Olympic Special - Show Time
Post categories: Free Speech
| 12:06 UK time, Wednesday, 18 July 2012
According to a recent survey, 86% of 16-25 year olds don't think that the Olympics will make them better off financially, and 62% think that the money would have been better spent elsewhere.
Oh dear. It's not sounding too positive for the 500 young people who took part in a poll conducted especially for Free Speech to launch tonight's live Free Speech debate on the Olympics. (Tonight, 8pm)
However, 71% agreed that the Olympics are making them feel proud to be British, and 61% admitted to even being excited about the games, so maybe it's not all doom and gloom.
To debate the issues surrounding all things Games related, we've lined up a stellar panel of those in the know:
Tasha Danvers: A British Bronze Olympic medal winner in the 400 metre hurdles in Beijing, Tasha suffered a late injury that has sadly stopped her from taking part in London 2012.
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Rushanara Ali MP: Labour MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, Rushanara has been named as one of the most powerful Muslim women in Britain. She's been supporting her constituents in the Olympic boroughs, including those who are finding missiles on their rooftops as part of Olympic security.
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John Hayes MP: As the Government Minister in charge of Further Education Skills and Life Long Learning, John joined the Conservative party when he was just 14 years old and is in one of the party's safest seats as MP for South Holland and The Deepings (Lincolnshire).
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Symeon Brown: Co-founder of Haringey Young People Empowered, Symeon aims to improve youth and community relations and give young people a stake in the democratic process, and describes himself as an 'activist/writer on youth, justice and urbanism.'
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ÌýAs they give us their chat, YOU can give us your OPINION of their chat, by powering up or down the Twitter-controlled Power Bar.
It's pretty simple – as they're talking add a #YesName to your tweet if you agree with them, or a #NoName if you don't, then watch the Power Bar change in real time on the show. So for these guys the hashtags are:
Tasha:ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý #YesTashaÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý andÌýÌýÌý #NoTasha
Rushanara:Ìý #YesRushanara andÌýÌýÌý #NoRushanara
John:ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Ìý#YesJohnÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý andÌýÌýÌý #NoJohn
Symeon:ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý #YesSymeonÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý andÌýÌýÌý #NoSymeon
If not your thing then head to our instead, where all of the questions will be debated live along with the show. Or simply leave your comments in the space below.
We will be reading out and blog comments live throughout the hour so if you have something to say, get on and say it... now.
- Free Speech is on tonight, Wednesday 18th July, at 8pm, live on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Three.
- The poll was conducted by ComRes who telephone interviewed 500 16-25 year olds in Great Britain between 2nd and 12th July. Full data tables can be found
Comment number 1.
At 18th Jul 2012, esranelson wrote:people up and down the country need jobs not just in london. it is about time people go and get for their selves rather than expecting people to do it for them. if it was not for the olympics these people would not be here. be british and strong and proud
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Comment number 2.
At 18th Jul 2012, dhill wrote:is anyone accountable for the gb medal performance, uk sport?
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Comment number 3.
At 18th Jul 2012, kirstykimber wrote:The biggest issue I have with the commercialism of the olympic games, is the unhealthy snack and drink brands that are major sponsors. It's just wrong!!
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Comment number 4.
At 18th Jul 2012, Joe wrote:England won the bid because they know they can afford it, these sponsors make their money from us and the least they can do I'd to support the country and not add an "ad hoc terms and conditions"
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Comment number 5.
At 18th Jul 2012, Granville wrote:Please ask the audience including the panel:
1. Raise your hand if you have applied for Olympic tickets?
2. Keep your hand raised if you've actually obtained any?
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