Their lawyers asked a high court judge to rule their human rights were being breached as the country prepares to host the 2012 Olympic Games in east London.

Three mothers are leading the fight against being moved to alternative sites so that construction work can begin.

They are challenging the government's decision in December last year to confirm the London Development Agency (Lower Lea Valley, Olympic and Legacy) compulsory purchase order (CPO) for the land on which the caravan sites stand.

Marc Willers, appearing for the three women, argued the CPO was an unlawful interference with their right to private and family life, as protected under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Mr Willers contended fundamental rights were at stake, including not only the right to respect for home and family life but also respect for their traditional way of life.

The government was under a duty under human rights laws to "protect the Gypsy way of life", Mr Willers said.

There had been a failure to consider whether it was possible to develop the Olympic site while the families stayed put, he added.

As most of you know, I live in Athens, Greece now but my former home was London. I was thrilled that Athens got the 2004 games because I had the chance to experience the whole spectacle. From the moment the name was read out to the closing ceremony. OK, I admit it, I'm a fan of many sports and the chance to see the world's biggest sporting event up close was incredible. I was also thrilled when London got 2012 because I would get the chance to be there too! Two Olympics in my two home towns in one lifetime. What can I say?

This all happened before my blogging days had begun and I hadn't really grasped the magnitude of what was happening behind the scenes. The other story of the Olympics is ugly and distasteful. Money and building scandals, people displaced and trampled on, disrupted lives and loss of life. The 14 documented deaths  (possibly up to 40 Olympic related deaths) on work sites for Athens 2004. At the end of the article it says:

There wasn't a brick laid for the first three-and-a-half years. We've now got about one injury or one death every couple of days.

This is a Greek tragedy that we will have to face after the Olympics

As far as I can tell that has not happened. And it's not only about death and injury. It's about homelessness, evictions and suffering in the name of a global sporting event where we talk about noble causes and the Olympian charter.

Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport  with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life
based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.

The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.

The Olympic Movement is the concerted, organised, universal and permanent action, carried out under the supreme authority of the IOC, of all individuals and entities who are inspired by the values of Olympism. It covers the five continents. It reaches its peak with the bringing together of the world's athletes at the great sports festival, the Olympic Games. Its symbol is five interlaced rings.

The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding
with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. The organisation, administration and management of sport must be controlled by independent sports organisations.

Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.

Belonging to the Olympic Movement requires compliance with the Olympic Charter and recognition by the IOC

An olympian occasion where most people could not afford to attend a single event. A show of sponsership deals and financial arrangements that did not leave a legacy of sports facilities and training for young athletes. Where human rights were not respected. Where people were evicted, fired, injured and killed with impunity. What we are left with in Athens (apart from the city beautification which is substantial in the posh parts) are empty, rotting stadiums, huge debts and a human toll that is too great to even contemplate.

I don't think I will be going to London in 2012.