The 2012 London Olympics
The 2012 London Olympics
Last month I listed all the sporting opportunities to attract customers that will be
presented to you in 2012. If you missed it then you might either call Keri Crompton, the Communications Coordinator at the QHA on 07 3221 6999 and arrange to get another copy of the QHA magazine. Or you can go to http://hospitalitydoctors.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/2012-big-sporting-opportunities.html. It is extremely valuable information.
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Certainly the BIGGEST sporting event this year will be the London Olympics. So between now and the Opening Ceremony on Saturday 27th of July I want to share with you ideas, stories and web sites related to the Olympics. My thinking is to make YOUR Hotel ‘Olympic Central’ for the 16 days of the 2012 Olympic (and perhaps forever more.) To do this you need to begin NOW!
As mentioned in last month’s article Derek Redmond never won a medal at the Olympics. But he did perform an amazing feat, in 1992, that you will probably remember. I invite you to meet Derek at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04sLWNj3MkE. Or simply search Google for: Derek Redmond - Max Hitchins.
I note that Derek is now being used in their lead up advertisements for the London Games. I also noted that Derek’s Father, Jim, is going to be one of the ‘torch carriers in the Torch Relay.
A South American subscriber to my weekly emails wrote to me to tell of a great idea they use for all major sporting events. He said it was one of the best marketing ideas they have ever conceived. He said they ‘built their own stadium’ in a large function room they have at the Hotel. The focal point is a four sided television unit that has four separate TV screens. This is located in the centre of the room. Around the four sides they erect tiered aluminium seating. They charge a fee to ‘attend’ the various sporting events.
At the London Olympic site http://www.london2012.com/ they are encouraging active involvement from people all around the world. The two Olympic mascots, I am sure you will see a lot of, are called Wenlock and Mandeville, The even invite you to make your own mascot. See https://mascot-games.london2012.com/
I have collected some marvellous motivational and inspirational stories about Oylmpians and Paralympians for my soon to be released eBook. Here are four:
1. At the 1976 Montreal Olympics Japanese gymnast Shun Fujimoto performed on a broken right knee to help the Japanese team win the Gold Medal.
Fujimoto broke his leg on the floor exercise, and due to the closeness in the overall standings with the USSR, he hid the extent of the injury. With a broken knee, Fujimoto was able to complete his event on the rings, performing a perfect triple somersault dismount, maintaining perfect posture. He scored a 9.7 thus securing gold for Japan.
See this story of Shun Fujimoto’s incredible courage at:
2. In 1996 in Atlanta US Women’s Gymnastic team member Kerri Strug became an American heroine as a result of her final vault at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. It was in the Team competition. An event dominated by the Russians for decades and never won by the United States. Going into the final rotation Strug under-rotated the landing of her first attempt, causing her to fall and damage her ankle. Coach Karolyi coaxed Strug saying "Kerri, we need you to go one more time.” Strug then limped to the end of the runway for her second attempt. She landed the vault briefly on both feet, almost instantly hopping onto only her good foot, saluting the judges. Then she collapsed onto her knees and needed assistance off the landing platform...and the Americans won the Gold medal. See this brave effort at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFn47a_Ny0Y
3. In the 2000 Sydney Olympics one of the most inspiring of all was the English Paralympian Giles Long who only has the use of one arm as a result of cancer. Yet for twelve years he has represented Great Britain at the highest level in the world of swimming, both as a Butterfly and Individual Medley swimmer. His greatest achievement was winning the Paralympic 100 metre Butterfly Gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in world record time of 1.08.31 Swimmers know how difficult butterfly is to master (with two arms). Click here to see this incredible world record breaking event. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3AtuulkmWo
Queenslander Kieran Perkins won back to back 1500 metre swimming Gold medals in 1992 and 1996. Perhaps the 1996 race was most inspiring. At the time Kieran was out of form and long-time Australian rival Daniel Kowalski was regarded as the favourite for the race. Perkins qualified for the final by a mere 0.24 seconds and was relegated to Lane 8 (the slowest lane) for the final. Check out the video of this amazing swim at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPmkYBLHpqw
Final thought:
To make it easier to click on the links in this article you can read this article at my Blog at: http://hospitalitydoctors.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/2012-london-olympics.html
In 2011 Max Hitchins was voted the #1 most influential hospitality industry educator in the world. Check out the complete list at www.HospitalityDoctor.com. He is known as the Hospitality Doctor and specialises in Internet Marketing. QHA members are invited to register at to receive his regular e-mails with Secrets, Tips and Tonics to fill your Bars, Bistro’s and Beds. E: max@hitchins.com.au Tel: 0419 53 63 73.
posted by Max Hitchins at 4:17 pm
