Health and Safety Issues with Olympic Flame Event
An Olympic flame event was being considered wherein the flame would be carried on a replica warship based on ancient Greek traditions. The ship would have carried the flame down the Thames River, but the HSE has received a report concerning cancellation of the event. It is considered to be a health and safety issue based on crowds.
The HSE stated that the cancellation has been turned over to their department. They are currently looking at the report about crowd control and understand that it is a matter of the health and safety of the attendees rather than any issue with the Thames warship cruise. The staging of the event is up to the London 2012 Organising Committee, or LOCOG. It will be up to them to determine if any cancellation will actually occur. Right now talks are being held by the parties involved including the authorities that would need to handle the crowds. The HSE stated they would help in any way possible for the decision to be made such as contacting interested parties about the matter.
As of yet a cancellation has not happened, but it is likely considering the potential findings and the manpower on hand for the event. Authorities can hope that the crowds would have respect for such a ceremony and those wishing to see it, but crowds can always be an issue particularly when a large event is involved.
