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I have been planning to come to London, from Edinburgh, to watch this parade since 24 August, when the athletes returned from Beijing and indeed, when Chris Hoy announced he was going. I will be proud to support all the athletes who made history for Britain, medal winners or not. As our national anthem was played over and over again in Beijing, every British athlete knew who they were competing for - for our country. Do not confuse an athlete's own personal drive and commitment with selfishness. They are competing for the country and are very much aware of that. 50,000 people turned out in Edinburgh, during a weekday lunchtime to cheer on the Scottish Olympians, and i have no doubt that the London parade will be even bigger and better. Roll on London 2012. I am proud to be British and to celebrate our sporting success.

- S, Edinburgh, 14/10/2008 08:43
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"Do you all realise that these people have dedicated a large chunk of their lives to achieving this goal and this may be the pinnacle of their career"

Yes well done to them but this success was with our money so we should expect some and most nation don't have the facilities to take part in rowing/cycling and sailing whereas we flopped in Athletics and Judo that lots of countries take part in.

They will be good role models as sports people who succeeded I agree (the ones that did win).

The boys and girls risk their lives in the army for nothing and don't get this sort of appreciation.

I guess its bad news for the government though whereas this is good even though actually most come from Private schools when State schools have lost sports because of cost cutting.

- Keith, St Albans, 13/10/2008 17:44
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I totally agree with James' first comment.

Unlike some I have no great problem in celebrating sporting success as its good and the winners are good role models for the future if they keep going rather than act like some of big ego'ed footballers.

However we do seems to forget at times like this these guys are actually trying to win for themselves and others are making more of a mark on the nation in terms of helping us.

- Jim, London, 13/10/2008 17:38
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Will our REAL heroes fighting for the country in what get a parade or just be ignored as usual?

These people did well for themselves and it was good to see a British Sporting team actually achieve but in reality how many people really cared and how much do you think they thought "I'm winning this for Great Britain"?

Not many I reckon and anyway like Mark said we probably won't hear from such names above for another 4 years or so..if London does actually manage to get the Olympics ready on time.

Its on a Thursday lunchtime so I presume the organisers don't expect many to turn up?

Will we get the usual questions asked like "How do you feel about winning gold"?

I expect the poor athletes will actually be quite bored by it all as unlike the footballers etc they probably don't seek attention and expect it for sports most don't really think about or watch on TV.

- James, Enfield, 13/10/2008 16:52
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Do you all realise that these people have dedicated a large chunk of their lives to achieving this goal and this may be the pinnacle of their career? It is something to be celebrated, if only for the fact that kids need role models that have actually worked to achieve something. Maybe a little late though...why did it take so long?

- Mark, London, 13/10/2008 16:41
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A parade for them is a great idea. Waiting over a month to have it is a shockingly bad one. I hope that whoever made that decision is there to apologise to the athletes for the empty streets on Thursday.

- St, London, 13/10/2008 16:38
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People like Eddie are part of the problem?

They just cannot enjoy success.

We should be pleased that in some cases our taxes have been effective in getting winners.

Ok maybe this parade should only be for the medalists but so what.

I don't like football but accept lots do and its throw in our faces every day despite us not actually winning much and even when we do its all bout people booing others etc.

From what I have heard and read most of these athletes are well grounded and understand they will need to train hard again and work towards London 2012 (its not their fault the government might well mess it up cost wise)

- Anne, Kent, 13/10/2008 16:38
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How much is this costing the Taxpayer?

Have these highly paid pampered athletes not had enough glorified media attention over the past weeks.

A lot of people actually didn't really care about the Olympics which are based around which countries have the most money so can clearly be the best unlike in other more natural and fair sports.

Look what happened to the rugby and Ashes cricket after they had their parades.

Did nothing because all this one off success got to their heads.

To be honest they probably all come from rich families who can afford to send their kids to sports clubs whilst the rest of us fight on in life trying to earn our living through hard work.

- Sue, London, 13/10/2008 16:33
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I agree with Eddie.

This is pointless because nobody will be there on a Thursday and no-one hardly remembers who won what.

When the man who won most golds (well done to HIM for doing a good job for HIMSELF...not the country!) only decides to come 3 days before does it not say something?

Why 500 - if anything having non-winners is a bit of a insult to those who clearly worked hardest and earnt their taxpayers money to through them in with other athletes who unperformed or just made excuses.

I often heard a lot of swimmers say "I'm hear for the experience"...well so was Rebecca Adlington but she managed to win 2 golds.

- Tim, Surrey, 13/10/2008 16:26
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Have we not heard from most of them about what they did in China already?

Is it not time we all moved on and I am sure they just want to get back into training ready for future Championships rather than be throw into the limelight again and again much like the footballers are

Look at how unppopular most of them have come because of celeb status that the press gives them

Maybe Gordon needs more votes?

- Wendy, Sidcup, 13/10/2008 16:19
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Some could say the same for the Ashes (which were quickly lost 5-0!) and the Rugby Union (ok we did get back to the final but with luck) but their teams had a Parade so why not these Olympic winners?

Just stay at work or don't think about it.

- Andy, London, 13/10/2008 16:11
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We only won 47 medals in the main Olympics and a load in an event very few including the BBC took notice of (its a weekday so hardly anyone will be there anyway) so why is there going to be 500 athletes that no-one will be able to remember going.

Haven't there already been local events like this anyway to milk all the glory and glamour up?

We won't hear of Hoy or Adlington for 4 years now...

- Mark, Watford, 13/10/2008 16:05
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What a waste of time.These people hardly saved the planet,they just won a pointless race at an even more pointless event as far as I'm concerned.

- Eddie, London, 13/10/2008 13:12
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