Friday, July 27th 2012 - 02:32 UTC

US candidate Romney apologized to PM Cameron for London Games comments

US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's high-profile overseas trip got off to a rocky start on Thursday when he was forced to clarify a comment seen as criticizing London's handling of the Summer Olympics that he came to celebrate.

Romney leaving 10 Downing Street, helped organize the 2002 winter Olympics in Salt Lake City

The Republican candidate ruffled British feathers ahead of his visit by appearing to suggest in a US television interview that London was not ready for the Games, whose opening ceremony in the British capital is held on Friday.

“It's hard to know just how well it will turn out. There are a few things that were disconcerting,” Romney told NBC when asked to analyze London's handling of the Olympics.

He cited what he said was the threat of a strike by immigration and customs officials. “That obviously is not something which is encouraging.”

The comments were seized on by British media and Prime Minister David Cameron defended Britain's handling of the Games, after he was forced to deploy extra troops to bolster security to cover a shortfall left by a private contractor.

“We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world. Of course, it is easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere,” Cameron said during a news conference at the Olympic Park in London on Thursday.

The comments, in response to a question about public transport problems ahead of the games, could be uncomfortable reading for Romney, who has made much of his record as the man who saved the failing Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002.

“We talked about the great progress that has been made in organizing the Games,” Romney said after meeting Cameron.

“My experience as the Olympic organizer is that there are always a few very small things that end up not going quite right, those get ironed out, and then when the Games themselves begin, the athletes take over,” he said.
 

Published in: Politics, International, United States.
Tags: 2012 Olympic Games, David Cameron, Mitt Romney, United Kingdom, United States.

11 comments Feed

Note: Comments do not reflect MercoPress’ opinions. They are the personal view of our users. We wish to keep this as open and unregulated as possible. However, rude or foul language, discriminative comments (based on ethnicity, religion, gender, nationality, sexual orientation or the sort), spamming or any other offensive or inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated. Please report any inadequate posts to the editor. Comments must be in English. Thank you.

1 Marcos Alejandro (#) Jul 27th, 2012 - 04:10 am Report abuse
Seems like Mr Romney went to UK to kiss some butt and got kick in the butt instead.
This Yank should know by now that the Brutish don't like to hear the truth.
2 Idlehands (#) Jul 27th, 2012 - 06:46 am Report abuse
“the Brutish don't like to hear the truth”

Coming from an Argentine you've gotta laugh.
3 Rufus (#) Jul 27th, 2012 - 10:24 am Report abuse
Effectively saying “you're not doing it right” before the event has even started, when all of the things that he raised as concerns have already been dealt with, and expecting not to get at least slightly pulled up on it isn't really a great surprise is it?

Politicians saying moderately stupid things isn't really much in the way of news, better to save the headlines for when they say things that are profoundly stupid.
Given all politicians, there wouldn't be a very long wait for the next stupid thing said...
4 Islander1 (#) Jul 27th, 2012 - 10:55 am Report abuse
Marcos- do please list the security and immigration failings of the games since Wednesday 25th? remember security and immigration failings.
Not dumb arses who put up wrong flags on the tv screen for the N.Koreans- I agree that was thick!
5 Idlehands (#) Jul 27th, 2012 - 11:13 am Report abuse
After 7 years of not caring one way or the other I bought tickets to see an event this morning. I figured if I don't go when it's less than a kilometre from my home then I'd never go to an Olympic event.

Anyone know the rules to hockey?????
6 briton (#) Jul 27th, 2012 - 12:20 pm Report abuse
Marcos,

We all make mistakes; we all say silly things we later regret,
Sadly when politicians do it, the world gets to hear it, and they, not you, suffer the embarrassment,
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Anyway,
Picked this up, to cheer you all up,
1, daily mirror, today, page [8]
Former president George h w bush, during a state visit to Japan, ate freshwater eels, this upset his delicate stomach,
And he promptly collapsed and was sick, all over the Japanese prime minister,??

2,
Ronald ragan nearly started ww3 a remark to his fellow friends, but his microphone was still switched on,

He said the following,
My fellow Americans I am pleased to tell you I have just outlawed Russia, for ever, and the bombing begins in five minutes, it was broadcast around the world, and the Russians were outraged.

,marcos, you done anything we can Laugh about .lolol.
7 Conqueror (#) Jul 27th, 2012 - 12:33 pm Report abuse
@1 Since argies don't know how to tell the truth, how would you know? You are, after all, congenital liars. If you don't like the truth, you make something up or ignore it. For example, when did Britain begin the colonisation of the Falkland Islands? When did Britain first claim sovereignty? Which country tried to dispute the British claim and had to give in? Which rebel colony sent a pirate to claim someone else's territory? Which rebel colony tried to declare a German to be a governor of a British territory. Which sh*tehole lies about the events of 1833? Which sh*tehole tries to deny a treaty supposed to end all disputes? Which sh*tehole can't bear to remember the words of one of its own vice-presidents. Which sh*tehole regularly lies about historical events that we British can prove? Which sh*tehole conducted a cowardly, underhanded attack and invasion of a peaceful, hard-working territory belonging to someone else? Which sh*tehole tries to deny responsibility for said attack and invasion? Which sh*tehole is composed of 40 million war criminals? Now try coming up with some “truth”! Could you even manage the “truth” of your own real name?
8 ElaineB (#) Jul 27th, 2012 - 03:19 pm Report abuse
@5 Good for you! It will be a great atmosphere if nothing else but hockey is a great spectator sport.

95 Heads of State and World Leaders are all going to Buckingham Palace for a reception today.
9 Truth_Telling_Troll (#) Jul 27th, 2012 - 04:47 pm Report abuse
Gotta love the anglo-saxon solidarity. hahaha

@5

Yes, take stick, sit on it. Get up, repeat.
10 Condorito (#) Jul 27th, 2012 - 05:33 pm Report abuse
I just can’t like this Romney, he gives me the creeps.
11 briton (#) Jul 28th, 2012 - 10:06 pm Report abuse
He is becoming a walking disaster,
surely the Americans can come up with a better alternative to obarmy, than this guy,

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!

Advertisement

Get Email News Reports!

Get our news right on your inbox.
Subscribe Now!