Last updated at 12:33, Tuesday, 24 July 2012

By now, we might have expected colourful bunting to have appeared all over the place again.

Lots of flags, bearing Olympic rings; symbols of union and harmony, celebration and elation, fiesta for friendship among nations.

But all such demonstration of being and feeling a part of London 2012 is out of the question. Regulations devised by Lord Sebastian Coe and his self-important Olympics committee won’t allow demonstration of... well, anything.

Only corporate sponsors can show their support for Britain’s hosting of the greatest show on earth. They’ve paid money for the privilege. We haven’t.

While wishing Team GB the very best of luck over the next couple of weeks of fierce sporting contest and amazing international camaraderie, I have to say I’m a tad disappointed.

Not in our athletes, obviously. But in Seb’s iron-fisted control over rationed enjoyment of The Games and refusal to allow anything approaching spontaneity in celebration.

During Diamond Jubilee weekend, street party revellers enjoyed crown-imitating cup cakes, wore Corgi masks, Camilla wigs.

Union Flags flew from every corner of every town. Queen lookalikes turned up at village hall parties from coast to coast.

As yet Her Majesty is not known to have sued anyone or had a single shopkeeper arrested for showing her face in his window. Not so in The Games corner, sadly. On pain of death, thou shalt not take the Lord’s name in vain – nor show an Olympic symbol you haven’t first paid for as a sponsor.

In fact, turn up at London 2012 in a Pepsi T-shirt – rather than a Coke one – and chances are you’ll be shown the door.

Money was needed to stage The Games and sponsors put up the necessary cash, argues Lord Seb.

Though what a country unable to afford them was doing bidding for them in the first place is a curiosity.

All that notwithstanding, we’re now edging somewhere towards one of two conclusions.

Either Seb considers himself more royal than royalty, considering the nation showed bow to his command. Or unlike Her Majesty, he hasn’t a clue how to throw a party to which the entire country is invited.

I suspect the latter.

First published at 11:24, Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk