This year's Olympic Games in Beijing seem to prove it. The celebration of the Olympic ideal, bringing nations together in peace, was ensured by the systematic removal of thousands of people from their traditional homes.

Entire ancient neighbourhoods were razed to the ground for stadiums and swimming pools, the inhabitants placed in tower blocks on the edge of the vast city – now that's efficiency.

The effect of the London Olympics, just four years away, is already having an impact on our region.

The never-ending increase of cash pouring into East London is being felt way beyond the capital.

Cash strapped councils don't have enough money to invest in local sport unless they sell off existing assets – while Sport England can't step into help because all the money is being directed to London.

In Babergh, a district councillor says Hadleigh Pool needs to hang on until after 2012, when extra money from Sport England might be available. In the meantime, pool users complain of broken showers and doors, peeling paint and a pool that needs massive structural investment – but the money isn't there.

More playing fields are sold – obesity levels rise – alcohol abuse in the young goes up – our national football team fails.

Did you know, the city of Melbourne has more Olympic-size swimming pools than the entire UK?

So I've come up with a plan to save our blushes in 2012. To boost our medal tally how about the following events:

• Synchronised binge drinking


• High dive belly-flopping


• The 100-metre waddle


• Beer-bottle throwing


• Olympic parking fines (we have the Terminator)

As an East Londoner now living in Suffolk, I should be pleased one of the poorest boroughs in the country is receiving massive investment, but is it a price worth paying when facilities in our own neighbourhood are suffering?