London 2012 - London learns from Barcelona

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell, London 2012 Organising Committee Chair Sebastian Coe and Olympic Delivery Authority Chief Executive David Higgins met with the Mayor of Barcelona, Jordi Hereu and the city's chief architect, Josep Acebillo, to find out staging the 1992 Games transformed the city of Barcelona.

The group saw the Olympic Village, built to house athletes competing in the Games, and visited the new 22@ district, where thousands of new jobs are being created on an under-used brownfield site.

David Higgins said: "I think we can learn a lot from what Barcelona achieved in terms of urban regeneration and I am delighted to be able to be here today to witness this first-hand.

"We want to learn from what Barcelona got right and use this experience to ensure London 2012 is not only the best Games ever, but also provides real and lasting benefits for generations to come."

16 November 2006

Click here to read the full media release on the DCMS website