Busy London bridge is falling down; Oh, Ye

LONDON – The Westfield Mall at the Olympic Park has experienced a marketing boom like no other. Imagine over 460,000 Londoners heading east to watch the Olympic Games. Each one of them has to pass through the Mall because that is the only exit back to the train and bus stations.

The bridge connecting the Mall and the stations is so full of thousands of people walking to get to the other end that you’ll think the London bridge is going down.

The downside of it is the establishments on the west side of London have threatened to close. Some pray the Games are over so business is back.

* * *

The Olympic Park is a 253 hectare land that was once a wasteland. Now it is drawing spectators and local tourists daily. If not in the venues watching the games, the Britons and foreign tourists just stroll in the park and enjoy snacks in the autumn breeze. Others simply sit on the grass watching lawn tennis on a huge screen, one of 47 installed throughout the UK for the Games.

* * *

Food and beverages are being increased at Olympic venues after long queues and shortages. The Locog director of sports said organizers “had reacted overnight” to problems at several venues. “There’ll be mobile units selling things like water,” she added.

* * *

When 16-year-old Chinese swimmer Ye Shiwen completed her 100m freestyle in the last stage of the 400m medley, US coaches hinted at drug-cheating.

The reason is the Chinese teen completed her end of the medley race five seconds faster than what Ryan Lochte did in the men’s side.

* * *

There is still tension between North and South Korea beyond the 38th Parallel. A row over the flags of both countries in football raised tension among Olympic participants from Seoul and Pyongyang. Said a journallist: “At previous Games, the North Korean coaches have always talked to us. Now, they won’t even look us in the eye.