The Boston Globe

Sports

Music is non-stop at Olympic Park

A walk around Olympic Park is a non-stop musical mystery tour — part of a boisterous policy that aims to keep spectators pumped up with songs wafting from speakers and half-heard snippets of music mixing with the roar of the crowds at venues.

Three songs have been impossible to escape at these Games. ‘‘Heroes’’ by David Bowie has been adopted as the British team’s anthem. ‘‘Gold’’ by Spandau Ballet is the BBC’s song of choice for medal-winners. And Vangelis’s theme from ‘‘Chariots of Fire’’ is played loudly and often in all sorts of venues.

For Games venues, organizers have a list of 2012 songs arranged into playlists to suit the mood. The music is predominantly British, but includes global stars like U2, Jay-Z, and Britney Spears.

But the act that gets the most negative reaction is — sacrilege! — The Beatles. Some volunteers have been heard grousing about how much of the Fab Four’s music is being played in the park.

Others joke about how often Paul McCartney has popped up at the Games — playing the Opening Ceremonies, turning up for cycling and track competitions, leading the inevitable audience sing-alongs of ‘‘Hey Jude’’ and ‘‘All You Need Is Love.’’

It has led some to suggest the 70-year-old musical icon dial it down.

‘‘Will Paul McCartney please stop playing?’’ said Peter Forrest, a street performer in the city’s Covent Garden area. ‘‘He’s done his bit for England. Tell him to relax.’’