Although you may not be aware of it, a number of F1 people are not entirely happy about the forthcoming Grand Prix in Bahrain.

We're not talking about team bosses or even drivers, who for the most part believe that the sport's move into the Middle East is a historic and monumental achievement, in addition to opening up countless new sponsorship opportunities.

In the press room however, opinions are mixed, with a number of journalists very much against the idea of having to travel to what is a volatile region, even though they would never say it publicly, far less put their thoughts into print. Should the Bahrain GP be cancelled in the next two weeks, the loudest cheer would come from the hacks that follow, and make their living from, the sport.

The Bahrainis have worked tirelessly to ensure that the circuit is not only completed on time, but to guarantee that it will be a showpiece, worthy of the sport and the region.

When Bernie Ecclestone first mooted the idea of F1 travelling to the Middle East, we too were highly sceptical. Whether it be Bahrain, Dubai or Kuwait, certain images come to mind, and the glamour and glitz of 'Planet Paddock' is not amongst them.

Yet the Bahrain GP is going to go ahead, just as next week His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum, of the ruling royal family of Dubai, will launch an exciting new series - A1 Grand Prix - which is due to get underway in 2005. This is a bold new venture that has even caught FIA President Max Mosley's imagination.

With less than two weeks before 04-04-04, the excitement is already building to fever pitch, even though some sections of the media continue to attempt to undermine the event.

Last week a small group of 'fundamentalist youths' attacked a restaurant in Manama demanding that it refrain from selling alcohol. Diners were forced to leave and then the restaurant was set on fire.

The Bahraini officials are worried about the damage that such an isolated incident might do to the country's reputation, while certain members of the F1 media pass the story around like kids in a classroom.

London is currently making a bid to host the Olympics in 2012, the British capital facing stiff opposition from the likes of Paris, New York, Madrid, Rio and Moscow.

Those behind the bid are giving it the big push, making use of London's 'picture postcard' image of such attractions as Horse Guards Parade, where it is proposed that beach volleyball will be played, while Hyde Park will host road cycling, and Regents Park, baseball.

The group behind London's bid has the backing of Prime Minister Tony Blair, though Londoner's don't share his optimism.

Aside from the fact that there are areas of extreme poverty in London, and the valid argument that the money spent on the Olympics could be put to better use re-generating these areas, there is also the fact that London's ageing infrastructure can not handle a vast influx of athletes, officials and spectators.

Then again there is the fact that on most nights, particularly weekends, the centre of London and many surrounding town centres become no-areas, as drunken louts rule the streets with violence and crime the consequence.

If, knowing this, London can seriously expect to mount a bid for the Olympics, perhaps we should put the actions of a handful of youths in Bahrain fully in perspective.

Let's give Bahrain a chance.