Britain's Princess Anne thinks the London Olympics are an "extravagance".
The royal was among a number of delegates to receive the Olympic flame in Greece yesterday (17.05.12) and speaking ahead of her appearance she admitted she could understand why some people were not supportive of the event because of the cost.
She said: "There's an awful lot of people for who the torch relay is the signal, the beginning of what the Olympics is all about.
"There has been an awful lot of employment maintained and to some extent increased largely as a result of the Games taking place.
"And for some of those they will have gained skills because people have concentrated on the apprenticeship side of the equation...
"So yes I understand that it looks like an extravagance but if they recognise the way a lot of that money has been spent, it's made a constructive impact on people's lives, particularly those setting out."
Princess Anne previously competed at the 1976 Montreal Olympics in the riding team, but believes she would have struggled to take part on home turf.
She said: "I would have found it really difficult, I suspect, to do it on a home patch - much easier to have done it elsewhere. I'd hate to be doing it now - that's all I can tell you. It's got worse."
by Jake Alexander 18th May 2012 16:42
This is the most extreme case of quoting out of context I have ever seen. Your headline totally distorts the thrust of her comments about the Olympics, which speak entirely favorably ab... Read More
by Hoover 24th May 2012 07:59
I agree with Jake, and would go further and say the headline is a piece of dishonesty.