British Prime Minister Disses Romney’s Salt Lake City Olympics

Cameron is mad at Romney for musing that London isn’t prepared for the Olympics.

Image by JASON REED / Reuters

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — After Mitt Romney called London’s preparations for the Olympic Games were “disconcerting,” British Prime Minister shot back with a defense of the British games — and a slam on the event Romney oversaw in 2002.

“We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world. Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere,” snarked Cameron, apparently alluding to the Salt Lake City Games.

The rejoinder came after Romney, speaking to NBC on Tuesday, expressed concern that London wasn’t prepared for the Olympics.

“The stories about the private security firm not having enough people, the supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials, that obviously is not something which is encouraging,” Romney said.

He later tried to walk the comment back in a meeting with Labor Party leader Ed Miliband.

“My experience with regards to the Olympics is it is impossible for absolutely no mistakes to occur,” Romney said. “Of course there will be errors from time to time, but those are all overshadowed by the extraordinary demonstrations of courage, character and determination by the athletes. The Games are, after all, about the athletes, the volunteers and the people of the community that come together to celebrate those athletes.”

Salt Lake City responds: “Happy to send a map so he doesn’t run into any trouble locating the middle of nowhere.”