A couple of Olympics-related stories today combined to bring a red haze across The Ranger's eyes. First, the new logo.

It's probably not worth pouring any more hot coals of scorn onto this production - others have done it far more effectively than The Ranger ever could. It may not look a whole lot like Lisa Simpson performing a sexual act, but it looks enough like it (she's on the right, if you're still wondering) .

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said:

This is a truly innovative brand logo that graphically captures the essence of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The problem is, he's probably right. This is what you get when a committee has £400,000 to spend on a logo. And 'innovative' is not a synonym for 'good'.

Second story of the day - Conservative MP for Salisbury Robert Key claims money for improvements to Stonehenge is being diverted to the Olympics. He might be right - that's the sort of thing The Ranger has complained about before. But more interesting was the response of English Heritage, the government agency that runs Stonehenge and, incidentally, is funded by the same department that funds the Olympics:

English Heritage, the government agency that runs Stonehenge, do not dispute visitor facilities and access are inadequate, but still hope improvements will be made in time for the Olympics.

"It is a stated aim of Visit Britain and the government to maximise the benefits of hosting the Olympics," a spokesman said. He added that the Stonehenge project would be a major contribution to the cultural legacy of the games.

Now, remember this is the given reason for not yet funding the improvements to Stonehenge. Come on. The Olympics are going to bring benefits to Stonehenge? Stonehenge is going to add to the 'cultural legacy'?? That's just doublespeak. The money's gone.

The Olympics is a fantastic opportunity for all sorts of stuff: primarily a whole lot of sport. The problem is that people seem to forget that core fact, and will spout a lot of fluff about what the Olympics is. Here's some more of it:

The community regeneration inspired by London 2012 will provide a springboard for reducing health inequalities in east London and for encouraging people across the country to take up sport and develop active, healthy lifestyles.

and

The 2012 Olympics in London provide a huge opportunity to promote condom use and awareness of HIV, according to a leading charity.

and

The London Games ...herald a first-ever agreement between the Organising Committee, conservation group WWF and sustainable development experts BioRegional. This pact is based on the promise that London will host a zero-waste, low carbon Games which deliver long-term social and environmental benefits to the city.

Nice ideas. Maybe it will even happen - but really, if we wanted to reduce health inequalities in east London surely we could find a better way to spend £9bn? For goodness sakes, it's just a load of people running around and throwing things. Let's enjoy it for the massive party it's likely to be, and not pretend it will save the universe. Because otherwise we just might believe the hype, and stop looking after the things that will still be here long after the last Olympian has hung up their tracksuits.