Now I should probably explain that I am a massive fan of
the Olympics. I was lucky enough to be working from home during the Beijing
Games, so I managed to catch almost every event (as work-related research, of
course). Even sports like hockey, which I detested at school, were fascinating
to watch.
There is something incredibly special about having the
world’s top athletes all in one place. About the fans travelling from around
the world to cheer on their country’s best sportspeople; the face paints, the
waving flags and the excitement that exudes from every pore of those watching
live.
I’ve heard people complaining about the added security
risks in London this summer, the disruption to travel services, and of the cost
to the taxpayer. But I wonder whether people would make the same complaints if
we were hosting the World Cup… I think the moaners and the groaners have simply
failed to capture the thrill of the Games and the absolute privilege it is to
have them on our doorsteps.
So here comes the shameless plug… The Olympics version of
Sorted magazine is out now, and a
number of people (including the mighty Bear Grylls) have said it’s our best issue
to date. It covers everything from security to doping and features in-depth,
exclusive interviews with Victoria Pendleton, Steve Redgrave, Tom Daley, Philips
Idowu, Jessica Ennis and a host of others. It also tells you what’s on (and
when) to ensure you don’t miss any key events.
And with all the other content – film reviews, gadgets,
nutrition advice and great insights from our regular columnists – you’ll love
it even if you’re not a sports buff. In fact, the front cover alone is worth
the money!
But even more importantly, we’re giving away 10,000 free copies
of Sorted across London in the next
week. It will be available in bars, restaurants and tube stations as well as
through the usual channels (online, in local newsagents and at WH Smith). Not
only does this magazine offer a much more positive build-up to London 2012, it
offers an opportunity to share the Christian message with people who might never
hear it elsewhere.
The magazine presents relevant, engaging issues from a
godly perspective without being in your face or cringey. There are no
tambourines or sock-and-sandal combos. It’s a mag you could be read in public
without any embarrassment and pass around your friends. And there has never
been a better time to get it out there, with 11 million people expected to hit
London in the next month.
If you share our vision of reaching people with a
positive, God-focused message, then there are various ways you can help. Number
one – buy the magazine and tell people about it. Preferably buy a bumper pack of
50 (for just £75) and give them to people in your church/local area/workplace.
Finally, if you’d like to sponsor some copies, we can get
the magazine into the hands of even more people this summer. It’s not cheap
printing huge quantities of magazines, and as this is our longest ever edition
(108 stonking pages), the cost will be significant. But at Sorted we believe that you reap what you sow, and what you sow into
this project financially could have eternal consequences.
Contact Steve Legg on steve@sorted-magazine.com to find out how you can get involved.
And let’s make this Olympics one to remember for all the right reasons.
