The Olympics will cheer us up say Britons in Ipsos poll
The Olympics will cheer us up say Britons in Ipsos poll
Despite the weather, the traffic, and G4S, most Britons expect the Olympics to have a positive effect on the mood of the British public, according to a new poll by Ipsos.
Seven in ten (71%) Britons say the Olympics will have a positive effect on the mood of the British public, including three in ten (29%) who think it will be very positive. Just one in ten (10%) say it will have a negative effect.
Younger Britons are the most enthusiastic about the Olympics with three in four (77%) 18 to 34 year olds expecting a positive effect on our mood compared to six in ten (62%) over those aged 65 and over.
There is also a slight gender gap, with men more likely than women to think the 2012 Olympics games in London will be a good thing for the mood of the nation (75% and 68% respectively). However, those from the lowest social grades (DE) are the least upbeat about the effect hosting the Games will have, albeit still with 63% of DEs saying it will have a positive effect.
Britons are also optimistic about the effect hosting the Olympics will have on Britain’s image abroad. Six in ten (61%) say hosting the Games will have a positive effect on the way Britain is viewed by the rest of the world with one in nine (11%) saying it will have a negative effect. Again it is the youngest age group, this time those aged 18-24, who are most positive with 72% believing it will have a positive on the way Britain is viewed abroad, compared to 51% of those aged 65+.
Simon Atkinson, Assistant Chief Executive at Ipsos, said:
“While a lot has been made of the negatives around traffic and security concerns, the Great British public are still looking forward to the games and are hoping for some light relief to improve our mood.”
Technical note
Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 1,006 adults aged 18+ across Great Britain. Interviews were conducted by telephone 14-16 July 2012. Data are weighted to match the profile of the population.
