The Olympic Games

London 2012

Benefits

Current view of the Current view of the Olympic StadiumOlympic Stadium

Winning the Bid• Most keenly-fought Olympic bid for

years between:– Paris (thought to be favourites)– Moscow– New York– Madrid– London

• IOC meeting in Singapore; voted London 54-50 Paris

• Result announced 6th July 2005• Lord Coe, the bid chairman, secured the win -

the first time since 1948 that the Olympics has been held in Britain

London’s Response

• Tony Blair:Tony Blair: ‘a momentous day’• The Queen:The Queen: ‘It’s a really outstanding achievement’• Coe (bid chairman):Coe (bid chairman): ‘the most fantastic opportunity to do

everything we ever dreamed of in British sport’• Jacques Rogge (IOC president):Jacques Rogge (IOC president): ‘It will be a superb

Games and will strengthen the Olympics’ • London resident:London resident: ‘The best city in the world meets the

best sporting event in the world’• Shares in British construction companies soared and

house prices immediately expected to rocket in the capital

Why so much excitement?

London’s Preparations

• PRIVATELY FUNDED: – ‘LOCOG’ responsible for staging and hosting

Games & Paralampic Games; £2 billion budget from IOC & ticket and merchandise sales etc.

• PUBLIC SECTOR ORGANISATION:– ODA funded by DCMS & National Lottery

• National Lottery:– £2.2 billion to help provide facilities but also promote long-lasting

legacy for mass UK participation in sport• Greater London Authority:

– Delivering Mayor’s objectives for games; ensuring best possible benefits for Londoners

• London Development Agency:– ensuring London's sustainable economic growth; maximising

long-term benefits that hosting the Games will bring to London

Motivation for Hosting the Games

• National pride & patriotism• Boost Team GB profile• Improvements in economy

• eg. creation of jobs and tourism

• Increase in money and funding for sport and leisure in the UK & increase in facilities

• Improve housing and transport situations around London

London 2012 Olympics- Paralympics & Other Benefits

Paralympics

The Paralympics will take place in London shortly after the end of the Olympic games from the 29 August to the 9 September. There are 20 sports being played for people with both physical and intellectual disabilities

Advantages of having the Paralympics in London

• It necessitates the building of sporting facilities with disabled access that are a valuable asset after the games.

• The high media interest in the Paralympics will put a spotlight on disabilities and help increase awareness and help increase confidence of people with disabilities

Media

• The large international focus on London in the international media will unite the country for the Olympics.

• The media coverage will help finance the games

• People willing to pay to associate themselves with London Olympics

• Media focus on Olympic and Paralympics games encourages tolerance

Tourism

• Increased tourism during the events• Increased revenue for local businesses• New jobs created by tourism in London during

the Olympics• Opportunities for long term development based

on income from the Olympic period• Large and small companies benefit so entire

country sees benefits• Opportunities, if only temporary, for large growth

in business

Tourism

• Olympic effect – boost in economic growth due to investment and influx of foreign visitors

• Help pay for regeneration of east end of London

Potential benefits to Britain as a whole

• Businesses who invested in the Olympics will probably receive a large profit, possibly using this money to improve their products

• It is likely that the Olympics will trigger many people to join local clubs and increase mass participation, resulting in an improved health, fitness, and well being of the nation

• Improved infrastructure e.g. Roads and rail networks

Potential benefits to Britain as a whole

• Feel good factor

• Raised awareness of sport for people with disabilities which will reduce discrimination

• Income from the tourism

• Creation of positive role models e.g. Usain Bolt

Benefits to localarea

• Enhance the promotion of London– As a business area

• Improved employment opportunities for local people

• Increased sense of well-being and belonging• Local pride• New residential community from Olympic Village• Increased social integration and cooperation• Reduction in crime rates• Urban renewal• A chance to experience the Olympics• Opportunities to volunteer and get involved

The games are being estimated to generate:

• 35 500 ‘person years’ of employment in construction before games

• 15 000 ‘person years’ of employment in construction after Games (legacy work)

• 30 000 (though most temporary) jobs created during the Games

• 7 000 jobs for showcasing London (ie. retail, restaurants & entertainment)

• 70 000 jobs for volunteers

Potential benefits to sport as a whole

• A legacy of world class facilities

• Improved organisation and administration of sport in the UK

• Due to the increase in mass participation, more elite performers can be discovered

• Higher profile for sport in the UK

Potential benefits to sport as a whole

• Improved facilities in regional training camps

• Increased funding to be spent in a variety of ways

• Improved NHS provision e.g. High quality sports medicine services