United States Olympic Committee excited by London 2012 progress

The United States Olimpic Committee visited the offices of the London 2012 Organising Committee this month for a series of updates on the 2012 Olimpic Games. The delegation saw first-hand the progress being made on the Olimpic Park and heard about plans for a range of topics specifically related to athletes, including the way sport competition will run, Pre-Games Training Camps and transport. The visit was organised by LOCOG's National Olimpic Committe and National Paralympic Committee Relations team. Leslie Gamez, Managing Director of International Games at USOC (pictured above, second from left), said: 'We are

excited to see the activity and development that is occuring at the Olimpic Park. 'They are going to love competing in the historic venues like Wembley and Wimbledon and for those who will have the opportunity to compete in the newer venues like BMX or Aquatics they will get to experience the new and modern London. They also visited the first completed venue for the Games, Weymouth and Portland, which will host Sailing.

The Olimpic Village plan looks great and the close proximity to a large number of competition venues will make it extremely convenient for our athletes and coaches. 'With less than four years until the Games, we are pleased to see the progress being made on all fronts - from the Organising Committee to the venues to the public works. We have a sense that these Games will be spectacular.' 'From being in and around London and Weymouth and Portland, looking at venues and speaking with locals, we sense the their excitement about the coming Olimpic and Paralympic Games.

Stratford International Station And The New Bridge

The bridge shortens the walking distance between Stratford International and Stratford Regional Stations by 200m, allowing spectators visiting the Olimpic Park to get between the stations more easily and improving the connection with the new Stratford City development. A new entrance has been put in at Stratford International Station, ahead of the station opening for high-speed domestic services in December 2009. A 36m bridge made of glass panels was lifted into place above the domestic service railway lines to form the new entrance and exit. During the Games the Javelin® service will run on the High Speed 1 line, shuttling 25,000 spectators per hour from St. Pancras International into the heart of the Olimpic Park in just seven minutes. The bridge was jointly funded by the Olimpic Delivery Authority (ODA), Department for Transport, and High Speed 1, the line that runs through the station between St. Pancras International and mainland Europe. A new high-speed domestic service from Ebbsfleet in Kent to St. Pancras International will start using this line in December. ODA Transport Director Hugh Sumner said: ‘This bridge is crucial to ensuring that the flow of pedestrians on and off the trains in and out of the Olimpic Park is kept as smooth as possible, congestion is kept to a minimum and we reduce the distance that spectators will have to walk.’

Olimpic Games And The Business In United Kingdom

The Games are also already creating huge opportunities for UK businesses with over 800 companies, 98 per cent of them UK based, securing over £3.5bn worth of work to supply the ODA to date. The London 2012 Games are already delivering a ‘shot in the arm’ for UK companies, said ODA Chief Executive David Higgins at a conference today.

Speaking at a conference hosted by the Major Projects Association, Olimpic Delivery Authority (ODA) Chief Executive David Higgins today described how the London 2012 Games will benefit the UK. He said: ‘There has been some

discussion this week questioning the economic and regeneration benefits that hosting the London 2012 Games will bring. In fact, the preparations to host the Games are already delivering a shot in the arm for UK plc at a time of need and the work we are doing to build the Olimpic Park will be felt long after 2012.’
David added: ‘With work on the Park accelerating, the Games will continue to offer businesses of all sizes a range of opportunities at a difficult time.’
75p in every £1 being spent by the ODA is on the long-term regeneration of east London. David concluded: ‘Our plans for London 2012 are driven by legacy and together with the economic benefits the Games are already delivering, the positive impact of hosting the Games will also be felt long after 2012.

In a challenging economic climate, work on the Park has already created nearly 3,000 new jobs with nearly one in ten of those working on site previously unemployed. During the peak of construction around 9,000 construction workers will be needed on the Park.

Olimpic Games. Thailand signs up with Northwest

Thailand has become the first country committed to training its athletes at sports facilities in Northwest England ahead of the London 2012 Games. There will also be work to build strong cultural links between Thailand and the region, linking in to the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. As part of the understanding the World Academy of Sport, based at Manchester Business School, will also work to develop education programmes for sports authorities in Thailand, such as Sports Event Management courses. The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) and the National Olimpic Committee of Thailand (NOCT) signed the

Memorandum of Understanding on Sport Cooperation with the World Academy of Sport (WAoS), the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Manchester City Council. The Minister of Tourism and Sports for Thailand, H.E. Weerasak Kowsurat, said: 'By working together with the Northwest we will benefit from the vibrancy of this region and its people’s extensive knowledge and skills. We look forward to sharing in all that the Northwest has to offer as we seek to achieve our sporting ambitions.' 'Hosting teams is a great way for the whole of the UK to get involved in the London 2012 Games and the fact that this agreement is part of a wider initiative to forge relationships across education, sport and culture is terrific.

'We are delighted National Olimpic Committees are already considering the great facilities the UK has to offer and recognising our passion for sport.' Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committeesaid: 'This is great news for the Northwest of England. 'We know that Manchester has excellent sporting facilities and I am sure that athletes will be given a great welcome.

Timber supply contract awarded

Dan Epstein, ODA Head of Sustainability, said: ‘Sustainability underpinned London’s bid for the 2012 Games, and is now at the heart of the ODA’s work to design and build the London 2012 venues and infrastructure.’ The group of companies that will supply all the timber for the construction of the venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 Games has been announced by the Olimpic Delivery Authority (ODA). The Panel announcement came as the ODA published a new progress report on its sustainability targets and achievements to date. The Timber Supply Panel will

ensure that only sustainable timber is used during the project and that it is from wholly legal sources, helping to make London 2012 a truly ‘green’ Games.

The Name Olimpic Game Is Regeneration!

The ODA today published a brochure - Investing in the future - which sets out the wide range of work it is doing to benefit the area after 2012. Speaking at the London First conference last night John said: ‘London 2012 truly will be remembered as the ‘Regeneration Games’ due to the scale of change that is being delivered.Olimpic Delivery Authority (ODA) Chairman John Armitt last night told business leaders that London 2012 will ‘deliver a transformational change to east London’. The work on the Olimpic Park will leave a lasting change in the area with new world-class sports venues, thousands of new homes, new

transport and energy infrastructure and a brand new urban park after the Games. ‘75 pence of every pound we are spending is an investment in the long-term transformation of the area. As well as brand new world-class sports venues, we are delivering new open space, new energy networks, cleaning miles of waterway and building new roads and bridges, creating new transport links, thousands of new homes and education and healthcare facilities. ‘Transformational change on this scale does not happen often and the Games offer a unique opportunity to regenerate one of the most underdeveloped areas in the UK’, he added. ‘The Games are also a shot in the arm for the UK economy at this difficult time, offering jobs on the Olimpic Park for the previously unemployed and millions of pounds worth of contracts for UK businesses.’

Sustainable Sourcing Code Publishes by London 2012

The London 2012 Organising Committee today published the first edition of an online 'Sustainable Sourcing Code', continuing its commitment to making sure the 2012 Games are as sustainable as possible. The code will ensure LOCOG fully considers the environmental, social and ethical issues of products and services used for the Games. Primarily aimed at internal buyers, suppliers and licencees, it fits with the London 2012 Sustainability Plan and is based around key principles including 'responsible sourcing'; and minimising the environmental impacts during the manufacturing process. Potential products will be assessed

based on where they come from, who made them, what they're made of, what they are wrapped in and what will happen to them after the Games. The code was developed over a period of 18 months in consultation with leading retailers and brands in the sustainable procurement field, sponsors, industry experts and the third sector, including the Trades Union Congress, Playfair Alliance, the Ethical Trading Initiative, WWF, Fairtrade Foundation and UNICEF. It will be reviewed and updated as necessary over time. It is estimated LOCOG will generate around 5,000 direct business opportunities, with a total of around 25,000 opportunities through the supply chain. Most will take place between 2010-2012. London 2012 Chief Executive Paul Deighton said: 'London 2012 represents a fantastic opportunity to deliver a world class sporting event, but in a sustainable way. 'Our ambition is to set new sustainability benchmarks for the way large-scale events are staged, the Sustainable Sourcing Code is a key part of this.

One of the most important aspects of this for me is that we are able to develop this as we progress – this is just the first edition. As we move forward, learn more and gather feedback from others, we can ensure we stay current in this area and indeed across all of our sustainability themes.'

Olimpic Board Statement

The Olimpic Board met today and discussed the initial findings of a KPMG review of temporary venues, commissioned by the Olimpic Delivery Authority (ODA) earlier this year.

The KPMG review was commissioned to look at four temporary venues to see if cost savings could be made by finding alternatives to using temporary venues.

The Olimpic Board today endorsed the following recommendations:


* The temporary venue for Basketball will remain on the Olimpic Park;
* Equestrian events will remain at Greenwich Park.

The KPMG report will be published but it will be necessary to ensure it does not contain commercially sensitive material.

The key findings relating to the Basketball and Equestrian/Modern Pentathlon venues are listed below.

Basketball: currently due to take place in a 12,000 seat temporary arena in the Olimpic Park. This venue is also due to host the Handball final and semi-finals, Wheelchair Rugby, Wheelchair Basketball and will be a holding area for athletes before the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

* The KPMG review showed that there are no significant savings to be made from moving the venue off the park to an existing permanent facility;
* This is due to the resultant costs of venue hire, operating costs and the loss of ticket revenue due to a reduction in capacity - not building a temporary venue would significantly reduce the number of spectators that would be able to watch the event;

* In addition, using an alternative existing venue for Basketball has significant technical and operational issues and knock-on effects for Handball, ceremonies and the Paralympic sports listed above.

Equestrian: all three Olimpic Equestrian events (Dressage, Cross Country and Show Jumping) are due to be held at Greenwich Park which will also host two disciplines of the Modern Pentathlon competition (running and riding) and the Paralympic Equestrian event.

* None of the alternatives identified by LOCOG and considered by KPMG are in a location which is close enough to accommodate the Modern Pentathlon show jumping event which needs to be located close to the Olimpic Park to allow the completion of all five events within one day;

* Any move away from Greenwich would therefore result in a doubling up of facilities with the need to build a separate Modern Pentathlon show-jumping facility close to the Olimpic Park;

* In addition, all of the alternative venues would also require the funding of additional accommodation as they are not within IOC guidelines for travel time from the Olimpic Village;

* Given these considerations, an alternative location for equestrian and modern pentathlon would not result in lower costs than Greenwich Park.

Local residents have their say on West Ham plans

Local residents and commuters are being asked to comment on plans to improve West Ham Station, which have been released by the Olimpic Delivery Authority (ODA). It will be one of the main stations used for people visiting the Olimpic Park both during and after the Games in 2012. The ODA have sent information leaflets to 3,000 homes in West Ham, detailing the proposals set out in the consultation. Local people are also being encouraged to attend one of three drop-in sessions in the local area for West Ham Station. The plans include a temporary walkway spanning the

eastbound track of the District and Hammersmith & City Lines and Manor Road. This new path will allow visitors to the Park to walk straight onto the Greenway and up to the Park. Regular commuters and residents will be able to follow their usual route through the station with minimal disruption during the Games.

Millions of children around the world benefit from 'International Inspiration'

The project works closely with Education and Sport Ministries, National Olympic and Paralympic Committees to deliver high-quality sport and PE in both schools and communities. The project aims to reach 12 million children in 20 countries by 2012. Launched in January 2008 by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the programme has been successfully piloted in five countries: Azerbaijan, Brazil, India, Palau and Zambia. As a result, it has won the formal backing of the International Olympic Committee and will now extend to five new countries: Bangladesh, Ghana, Jordan, Mozambique and Trinidad and Tobago. The London 2012 vision to inspire young people around the world through sport took another step forward today, with the announcement of

five more countries and a further £16 million of funding for the 'International Inspiration' programme. The programme is dedicated to creating lasting opportunities for children and young people of all abilities around the world, especially in developing countries, through physical activity, sport and play. 'International Inspiration' forms a key part of the London 2012 international education programme. Delivery is being led by UK Sport in partnership with the British Council and UNICEF; it is funded jointly by the Department for International Development (DFID), the British Council, UNICEF, DCMS and the Premier League. Denis Oswald, Chairman of the IOC’s Coordination Commission for the London 2012 Games, said: 'When Seb Coe and London 2012 made their final presentation to the IOC Session in Singapore, one of their commitments was that they would inspire the youth of the world. This project is one way that London 2012 is living up to that promise and the IOC is delighted to be able to support them in this very worthwhile endeavour.'

London Games Are Different Than Beijing Games With? ...

Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: 'This summer we spent valuable time in Beijing observing and learning about live Games-time situations.

Between then and now, we have been collating this knowledge and this week has provided a unique opportunity to ask specific and detailed questions of BOCOG, the IOC and the different groups that attend the Games from athletes and media to sponsors and spectators. Rogge


said: 'We’re delighted that the Olimpic Games are returning to Great Britain, the birthplace of modern sport.

Every Olimpic Games has a distinct personality. The successful Games in Beijing were unique in many ways. London has its own unique assets that will ensure the success of the 2012 Games as well.' 'We move forward mindful of the ever-changing economic environment, but remaining confident that we can stage Olimpic Games and Paralympic Games that the nation wants to see – events which will capture the British spirit and will leave lasting legacies for East London, the nation as a whole as well as the Olimpic and Paralympic Movements.'

The debriefing also addressed the Games-time experience of specific groups, including specatators, workforce and the media.

It was part of the Olimpic Games Knowledge Management programme, started by IOC President Jacques Rogge after the Sydney 2000 Games.The review was open to the London 2012 Organising Committee as well as other Games Organising Committees, including representatives from cities bidding to host the 2016 Games. Workshops covered topics including sport, accommodation, culture, transport and logistics

Held in London from 24 - 27 November, the Official Debriefing examined all planning and operational aspects of the Beijing Games, highlighting best practice as well as challenges faced by the organisers.

First venue olimpic London 2012

Work to enhance the sailing facilities at Weymouth and Portland has been completed, the Olimpic Delivery Authority (ODA) today announced.
The London 2012 Olimpic and Paralympic Sailing events will be hosted at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA), and the adjoining Portland Marina, which offers world-class facilities and some of the best small boat sailing conditions in the world.

The ODA’s enhancements to the existing WPNSA sailing facilities include a new permanent 250m slipway and new lifting and mooring facilities.

The completion of the project means that elite athletes and the local Dorset community can use the world-class facilities for more than three years leading up to the Games.

World number one Laser Sailor and Beijing 2008 gold medallist Paul Goodison, who lives locally, saw the new facilities unveiled today. He said: ‘Winning gold in Qingdao was an amazing experience – I am now looking forward to 2012, training and competing out of the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy on my home waters.’

Facilities invited to register interest to be Games-time Training Venues

The London 2012 Organising Committee is inviting sports and leisure facilities and venues to express their interest in being Olympic and Paralympic Games-time Training Venues. These are the facilities that the competing athletes, coaches and support staff will use for training in the two weeks leading up to the Games, as well as during the Games. All 26 Olympic and 20 Paralympic sports and disciplines need to be catered for within a strict 30 minutes journey time by car from official Olympic and Paralympic accommodation. Interested facilities can download an

application form which includes all criteria for registration. Registration of intent will close on 31 January 2009, followed by further review and assessment of applicants against strict technical criteria set by the International Federations of each sport. Download the application form There will then be further consultation with potential venues and final selection will be made from late 2009 onwards. Successful applicants will need to enter into Venue Use Agreements with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Games-time training venues differ from Pre-Games Training Camps, used in the weeks and months before the Games to help athletes train and acclimatise. Over 600 facilities around the UK have already been chosen as potential Pre-Games Training Camps

Women encouraged to work and train on the Olympic Park

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell today attended a taster session to help women access training and jobs in construction.
The Minister joined local women at the Construction College on the Olympic Park where they could try out diggers and other construction equipment. Attendees also learned more about the training and employment opportunities available to help build the venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 Games.

The taster sessions are part of the ‘Women into Construction’ initiative launched by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) which is aimed at getting more women involved in construction.

Tessa Jowell also met women that have already received training and work on the Park.

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said: ‘The London 2012 Women into Construction project is an excellent example of how we are using the Games to blaze a trail for equal employment opportunities.

‘Not only will this programme help more women get construction jobs working on the Games, but also make a significant contribution to breaking down gender barriers within the industry as a whole.’

There are currently 155 women working on the Park, with jobs ranging from dumper truck driver to general machine operative.

‘Shot in arm’ for UK businesses

The London 2012 Games are already delivering a ‘shot in the arm’ for UK companies, said ODA Chief Executive David Higgins at a conference today.
Speaking at a conference hosted by the Major Projects Association, Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) Chief Executive David Higgins today described how the London 2012 Games will benefit the UK.

He said: ‘There has been some discussion this week questioning the economic and regeneration benefits that hosting the London 2012 Games will bring. In fact, the preparations to host the Games are already delivering a shot in the arm for UK plc at a time of need and the work we are doing to build the Olympic Park will be felt long after 2012.’

In a challenging economic climate, work on the Park has already created nearly 3,000 new jobs with nearly one in ten of those working on site previously unemployed. During the peak of construction around 9,000 construction workers will be needed on the Park.

The Games are also already creating huge opportunities for UK businesses with over 800 companies, 98 per cent of them UK based, securing over £3.5bn worth of work to supply the ODA to date.

David added: ‘With work on the Park accelerating, the Games will continue to offer businesses of all sizes a range of opportunities at a difficult time.’

75p in every £1 being spent by the ODA is on the long-term regeneration of east London. David concluded: ‘Our plans for London 2012 are driven by legacy and together with the economic benefits the Games are already delivering, the positive impact of hosting the Games will also be felt long after 2012.

Over 3,000 workers now on Olympic Park

New figures released today by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) show that more than 3,000 workers are now employed on the Olympic Park site.
Work is gathering pace on the Park as venues, including the Olympic Stadium and Aquatics Centre, continue to rise out of the ground. Work to insert concrete columns – known as piles – into the ground has also been completed on the first three blocks of the Olympic Village.

Work is on track to start on the foundations of the VeloPark and International Broadcast Centre/Main Press Centre in spring 2009. Together with the creation of the parkland areas, this will see another significant increase of workers on site. At the peak of construction around 9,000 workers will be employed on site.

Nearly a quarter of workers on site live in the five Host Boroughs and over half of all workers live in London.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: ‘It is the big infrastructure projects that will help see us through the difficult times ahead. It is very encouraging to see that Londoners are really benefiting from the London 2012 Games and there are still many jobs still to be created in the run up to 2012.

‘If the rate of Londoners employed on building the Games continues at this level it will make a significant contribution towards sustaining the capital's economy through the downturn and help us build our skilled workforce for when the upturn comes.’

London 2012 invests in transport upgrades

London 2012 is investing £80m in the Docklands Light Rail (DLR) allowing an extra 33 million passengers a year to travel.
The improvements to the service include more rail cars to provide an even more reliable and frequent service. Around 67 million passengers a year use the DLR service and these passengers will benefit from the transport upgrades as early as 2010.

Director of DLR Jonathan Fox said: ‘DLR is already ahead of the game in its plans for 2012 thanks to funding and support from the ODA. The extensions and upgrades we will have in place will not only make for a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games, but provide reliable and well-connected public transport for years to come.

‘Everyone at DLR is keenly anticipating the Games as we are confident the railway will make a significant contribution to the success of London 2012.’

Among the improvements is the construction of four new stations – Star Lane, Abbey Road, Stratford High Street and Stratford International – along the Stratford International extension, which will open in July 2010.

Read the latest edition of ‘pace’ to get all the latest news on the DLR enhancements.

The Chairman’s Club meets for the first time

The inaugural meeting of ‘The Chairman’s Club’ was hosted today by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street.
The Chairman’s Club - made up of London 2012's commercial partners - has been created by London 2012 sponsor Deloitte, the professional advisory firm, and Think London, London’s foreign direct investment agency.

London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe and Olympics Minister Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP spoke at the meeting. Discussions focused on how the partners will be making the most of their sponsorship programmes in light of the current economic climate, the significance of talent within global businesses and how they can leverage their partnerships to ensure the Games can create a business legacy after 2012.

Sebastian Coe, Chairman of LOCOG, said: ‘We had some great British and international companies round the table today, all looking at how their association with the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will have a meaningful impact across the UK – as well as work for them on a commercial level. In these challenging times, we all need to look at creative ways in which we can make the most of these partnerships.’

Think London is already working with a number of the London 2012 sponsors to support them with expansion plans in the run-up to the 2012 Games.

Olympic Park ‘powerlines’ project powers to the finish

The project to move energy cables underground and remove pylons from the Olympic Park has been completed – on time and to budget.
The final pylon has now been removed from the Park. The two-year project provided more than 1,700 jobs and six major contracts were awarded, worth more than £200m in total.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: ‘Removing the final overhead pylon from the Olympic Park site is a hugely symbolic moment as we begin to transform the skyline of east London for good.

‘This £250m project, delivered on time and to budget, has created new jobs for local people and business opportunities for a range of companies, and unlocks the Olympic Park landscape for the delivery of new homes, world-class sports venues and essential infrastructure.’

Poll shows UK support for London 2012

A new UK- wide survey shows public support for London 2012 at 78 per cent.
The poll also reveals a high level of confidence (76 per cent) that the UK will stage successful Games in four years time.

The 78 per cent support is up 2 per cent from the 2007 survey.

Strongest support came in Northern Ireland (89 per cent) and in London (84 per cent).

Tessa Jowell, Olympic Minister, welcomed the poll's findings: 'The support of people across the UK for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is an important expression of our hope that London 2012 will be everyone's Games.’

Art in the Olimpic Park

The first two artists have been selected to produce a series of work for the Olympic Park.
Martin Richman and Jason Bruges Studio, both based near to the Park, have been chosen for the first arts commission. They will develop ideas for a series of new bridges and underpasses being built on the Park.

Over 250 artists expressed an interest in the works and eight artists were shortlisted. They were asked to submit their initial artwork proposals for the bridges and underpasses commission.

The proposals were assessed by a wide group including Tate Director Sir Nicholas Serota, the Olympic Delivery Authority’s Principal Design Advisor Ricky Burdett and Louise Trodden, Head of Art in the Open before the two winning artists were selected.

London Mayor Boris Johnson, who is a keen advocate for the Olympic Park art commissions scheme, said: ‘As well as better transport, infrastructure and environment and helping to regenerate east London, I'm determined that the 2012 Games should also leave a cultural and artistic legacy.

‘These art commissions and the recently announced landscape garden will help create an outstanding public park to be enjoyed by future generations long after the Games have finished, and will play a key role in ensuring the Olympic Park celebrates the world-class culture and creativity that London is renowned for.’

VeloPark preparations cranked up for start of construction

New images have been released showing the Velodrome ‘bowl’ beginning to take shape.
Around 48,000 cubic metres of material has been excavated from the site to create the bowl, enough to fill approximately twenty 50m swimming pools.

A 1.3m layer of reinforced material is being laid on the ground to provide a firm base for heavy machines to start work early in 2009. These will include piling machines, which will drive concrete columns up to 20m into the ground to form the foundations for the new building.

ODA Chairman John Armitt said: ‘Our VeloPark plans are driven by legacy and together with creating a world-class stage for elite athletes in 2012, the VeloPark will deliver facilities for a new generation of cyclists of all ages and abilities.’

During the Games there will be a 6,000-seat Velodrome and a BMX circuit. After the Games a mountain bike trail and a one-mile road-racing circuit will be added.

New Aquatics Centre images reveal waves of progress

New images showing the Aquatics Centre starting to take shape have been released by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).
The pictures show that work has started on the supports for the 160m-long, wave-shaped roof of the Centre. Work on the south roof support has been completed and building work has now started on two northern roof supports.

The concrete foundations are also being built for the supports of the huge land bridge that will form the roof of the 50m training pool. This bridge will also act as the main pedestrian access to the Olympic Park both during and after the Games.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: ‘Work has surged ahead on the Aquatics Centre since construction started two months earlier than planned this summer. This followed a challenging clean up of one of the most contaminated parts of the Olympic Park site. As the ‘big build’ accelerates into 2009 people are seeing for themselves the Aquatics Centre starting to take shape as it becomes the venue that will be a fantastic ‘gateway to the Games’ and new swimming and diving facilities for London after 2012.’

Calling children born on 20/12 2004

On the eve of their fourth birthday, London 2012 has a issued a last call for children born on 20 December 2004 to be registered on the Children’s Promise scheme.
The scheme, launched during the bid to host the 2012 Games in 2004 on the 20th day of the 12th month (20/12 day), will see the registered children taking part in an event or ceremony surrounding the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. They could take part in one of the Ceremonies such as the Opening or Closing Ceremonies, Team Welcome Ceremonies, or in the programme of other events that will light up the UK.

Over 700 children, who will be aged seven in the summer of 2012, have been registered on the scheme to date.

Families with children born in the UK on 20th December 2004 who would like to take part but have yet to register, have until 1 April 2009. Read more about Children's Promise.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: ‘The children and their families are on the journey with us as we work towards the summer of 2012. In the year the children turn four years of age, London’s four-year build up to the Games began with spectacular sporting performances from our Olympians and Paralympians and the handover from Beijing.’

Each child will play a special role in welcoming the world at Games time and could take part in one of the Ceremonies such as the Opening or Closing Ceremonies, Team Welcome Ceremonies, or in the programme of other events that will light up the UK.

To mark their fourth birthday, all the registered children were sent a birthday card and special adidas Children’s Promise t-shirt from the London 2012 team. Families were invited to upload a photograph of their child playing sport in the t-shirt.

Sixth set of million hours safely worked on Olimpic Park

Workers on the Olympic Park have achieved a million hours worked without a reportable accident for the sixth time, since the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) gained possession of the site in July 2007.
Lawrence Waterman, Head of Health and Safety for the ODA said: ‘Health and safety is our number one priority and our record over the past year has shown the dedication and professionalism of everyone on the site.

‘However we are not complacent. The next year will be more challenging as construction activity and site worker numbers increase rapidly across the Park.’

The ODA also announced that the Park’s medical team, ‘Park Health’ have carried out 11,000 appointments with workers including health checks, tests and medicals.

Park Health provides a free, comprehensive occupational health service for all contractors on the Park.

Further work to consider Shooting location

Following the meeting yesterday, the Olympic Board agreed that further work to assess the venue for the Shooting Event at the London 2012 Olympic Games would be carried out by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and LOCOG in the New Year.
The Board also agreed to publish the findings of a KPMG Report of temporary venues commissioned by the ODA earlier this year.

For reasons of commercial sensitivity and so as to not prejudice ongoing discussions where contracts have not yet been placed, financial information has been redacted from the report. The report is available on the London 2012 website at www.london2012.com

The KPMG Report was commissioned to look at four temporary venues to see if cost savings could be made by finding alternatives to using temporary venues.

As announced after last month’s meeting the Olympic Board has already agreed that:

* The temporary venue for Basketball will remain on the Olympic Park;
* Equestrian and relevant modern pentathlon disciplines will remain at Greenwich Park.


The KPMG Report contains key findings relating to the basketball and equestrian/modern pentathlon venues, initial findings on the Shooting venue and an assessment of the temporary arena on the Greenwich Peninsula. Should any change in venue be proposed this would have to be approved by the relevant International Federation and the IOC.

2,000 trees sought for Olimpic Park

Around 2,000 mature and semi-mature trees are being sought to form the 'roots' of the 100 hectare London 2012 Olympic Park.
The Olympic Park will provide a colourful festival setting for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and new park space for local people and wildlife after the Games.

The four to seven metre high trees will be planted over the next three winters as the Olympic Park is created on cleaned former industrial land. Tree species will range from oak, to ash, alder, willow, birch, hazel, cherry, poplar, London plane and lime. Companies interested in supplying the trees can register for the opportunity on the London 2012 Business Network.

ODA Project Sponsor for Parklands and Public Realm John Hopkins said: 'Trees will create the roots of the London 2012 Olympic Park which we are on track to deliver. We are planting trees that reflect great British parks but also create habitats for wildlife and help ‘future proof’ the Park and surrounding built-up areas against climate change and flooding. Trees will help manage flood and rain water in the Park, create a ‘cool island’ on hot days and protect people from strong sun and winds.

'We want to work with the best to deliver this great new Park and have had an encouraging response from industry since we set out our procurement strategy and timetable a year and a half ago.'

London 2012 congratulates athletes named in New Year honours

Chris Hoy, Rebecca Addlington and Eleanor Simmonds were just some of the athletes who were honoured after a record-breaking Olympic and Paralympic performance.

Seb Coe said: 'Many congratulations to all the Olympians, Paralympians and their coaches honoured in the New Year honours list.

'The awards are a reward for their hard work, dedication, and wonderful performances in Beijing this summer which inspired the nation and made us all truly proud to be British.'