- 'Normal' visitors are staying away from London this summer because of concerns over congestion
- Hotels have slashed prices to as little as 10 a night weekend after Games ends
By Graham Smith
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Tourism bosses fear London will be left deserted in the weeks immediately following the Olympic Games.
The influx of athletes and spectators during the Games, which run from July 28 to August 12, is expected to push the capital's infrastructure to near breaking point.
But 'normal' visitors are staying away from London this summer because of concerns over congestion.
This has resulted in hotels slashing their prices to as little as 10 a night the weekend after the Olympic party comes to a close.
Ghost town: Tourism bosses fear London will be left deserted in the weeks immediately following the Olympic Games
One hotel adjacent to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, east London, is offering a 39 rate for a family of four on Friday August 17, reports the Independent.
The hotel, a new-build Premier Inn, is charging 199 per night during the Olympics.
But while it is to be expected for hotel prices in and around the Olympic site to slump considerably following the Games, the same pattern is occurring in central London as well.
The Travelodge in Covent Garden is charging 170 for a twin room on Friday August 10 - one week later and this price has shrunk to just 42.75.
Elsewhere, the Savoy offers its Signature River 1-Bed Suite King for 5,750 on August 10; a week later it costs 'just' 2,195, a saving of more than 3,500.
Bargain: Adjacent to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, east London, this Premier Inn is offering a 39 rate for a family of four on Friday August 17
Nick Varney, chief executive of attractions operator Merlin, said: 'The travel trade who normally bring tourist groups have basically switched away from London.
'Hotel rooms have gone up in price, and they've thought, "We don't even want to deal with being in London through that summer period." So immediately, there's a trade hit.'
Kit Malthouse, London's deputy mayor, said that a slump in tourism is to be expected in the aftermath of hosting the Olympics.
He said: 'After the Games, there will be an exaggerated effect of people staying away because they're uncertain about what state the city is in.'
However, the effect is expected to be short-lived as the Paralympic Games start on August 29 and run until September 9.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
London Welsh's appeal against Premiership promotion block is delayed - The Guardian
London Welsh's appeal against the decision to block their promotion to the Aviva Premiership has been delayed by a week.
The case will now be heard on 28 June – it was originally scheduled for 21 June – under an agreement by all parties involved.
The independent panel will be James Dingemans QC (chairman), Ian Mill QC and Tim Ward QC at a venue yet to be confirmed.
Welsh won this season's Championship after beating Cornish Pirates in both legs of the final.
But the Richmond-based club were told just hours before the first leg kicked off in Cornwall they did not meet minimum standards criteria set down by English rugby's Professional Game Board for entry to the Premiership.
The Exiles played the final's second leg at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford, which is thought to be their preferred venue should they gain top-flight status.
As things stand, Newcastle will remain in the Premiership next term despite finishing bottom by a point behind Wasps this season.
But should London Welsh succeed in overturning an original decision that went against them, then they will go up and the Falcons be relegated.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
David Nalbandian to compete at Wimbledon despite Queen's kick disqualification - Belfast Telegraph
David Nalbandian insists he will not pull out of Wimbledon despite his costly antics at Queen's Club on Sunday.
Police confirmed yesterday that they are investigating a complaint of alleged assault against Nalbandian after he kicked an advertising hoarding in to the leg of a line judge during his AEGON Championships final against Marin Cilic.
Nalbandian was disqualified for the kick, losing his 36,500 prize money in the process, and the ATP confirmed last night that the player had also been fined 10,000 euros (6,400) - the maximum under tour rules - for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Yet despite the furore surrounding the incident, Nalbandian is determined to return to England next week to play at Wimbledon, where he reached the final 10 years ago.
The Argentine's representative Bernado Ballero told Press Association Sport: "I can confirm to you that David's thoughts are about playing at Wimbledon."
The confirmation of Nalbandian's fine came yesterday evening, with an ATP spokeswoman saying: "Nalbandian automatically forfeited his prize money and ranking points due to his conduct default.
"A maximum 10,000 euro fine also was issued onsite by the ATP Supervisor for unsportsmanlike conduct."
Earlier in the day police revealed they had received a complaint about Nalbandian's kick, which caused the plywood board in front of Andrew McDougall's chair to cut an inch-long gash in to the line judge's leg.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "We are aware of an incident at the AEGON Championships on June 17.
"A complaint has been made and the Metropolitan Police Service is now investigating.
"The allegation is of assault."
The 30-year-old former world number three was contrite about his actions in the press conference that followed his win, admitting he felt "very sorry" for unintentionally injuring McDougall, who needed treatment on the cut.
The player also released a statement, which read: "I am sorry and I regret the kick that unintentionally hurt the line judge.
"I never intended to hit him, it was an unfortunate reaction in which I wanted to relieve the loss of a point.
"I had the opportunity to apologise personally with the line judge for this regrettable event."
Source: www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Wimbledon 2012: David Nalbandian to play despite Queen's disqualification - Metro.co.uk
The Argentinean kicked an advertising hoarding into a line judge during the final of the Wimbledon warm-up tournament last week and some had called for him to be banned from the grass court major.
Police are currently investigating the incident, which cost Nalbandian his £36,500 prize money and a £6,400 fine, but the world number 39 is determined to play at the All England Club.
The 30-year-old who made the final at SW19 in 2002 has apologised for his actions at Queen's, admitting he was 'very sorry' for injuring Andrew McDougall when he kicked the hoarding.
His statement read: 'I am sorry and I regret the kick that unintentionally hurt the line judge.
'I never intended to hit him, it was an unfortunate reaction in which I wanted to relieve the loss of a point.'
A number of players have condemned Nalbandian's actions at Queen's, with former women's number one Caroline Wozniacki and 2007 Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli backing the ATP's punishment.
Wimbledon kicks off on June 25th with Novak Djokovic looking to retain the men's singles title he won against Rafael Nadal in 2011.
Source: www.metro.co.uk
Wimbledon 2012: More ways to see the action on the BBC - BBC News
BBC Sport will this year provide viewers with more ways to watch Wimbledon than ever before.
Sue Barker presents the BBC's daily television coverage on BBC One, BBC One HD, BBC Two and the BBC HD Channel.
The BBC Sport website will provide up to six live match streams as well as news, interviews and video highlights.
And for the first time tennis fans can also view the action on the go via their mobile phones and tablets using the website.
The BBC Sport website is also providing live text commentaries and a column from Andy Murray after each of the British number one's matches.
The new BBC Sport app for connected TVs will also give audiences access to the BBC's interactive coverage.
The 126th Wimbledon Championships run from Monday 25 June to Sunday 8 July with coverage starting at 11:30 BST for the first seven days to accommodate the earlier start of play on outside courts.
The television team includes John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Tim Henman, Lindsay Davenport and Pat Cash with John Inverdale presenting Today at Wimbledon on BBC Two and HD from 20:00 BST each weekday.
Two full matches every day of the tournament will be offered on the BBC iPlayer plus Today at Wimbledon.
And the BBC Red Button will offer an alternative match on Freeview, up to four streams on Satellite, Cable and Freesat, plus a highlights service and replays of Today at Wimbledon.
The two-year trial experimention with 3D production means full re-runs of the men's singles semi-finals will be available in 3D, free to air, on the BBC HD Channel along with the selective live coverage of the ladies' and men's finals.
The 1996 men's singles champion Richard Krajicek joins the 5 live team for 2012 and other pundits include Pat Cash, Jana Novotna and Nick Bollettieri.
Wimbledon - What makes a champion?
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Are we expected to feel sympathy for these people who inflate their prices and fill their boots ripping off the Olympic visitors ?
- Graham, Up North, 19/6/2012 12:35
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