Jowell: whole country to feel the 2012 effect

She joined with Charles Allen, Chairman of the Nations and Regions Group (NRG) formed by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG), to outline the nationwide benefits of the Games.

And LOCOG also revealed details of the work already underway to ensure the benefits of the 2012 Games are felt in every corner of the country.

Mr Allen said: "We have already been working hard on the challenge of spreading the benefits beyond the capital, for over 18 months, through the Nations and Regions Group.

"During the Bid, the Group played a key role in generating great support throughout the UK, which was a factor in our success in Singapore.

"As Chair of the Group, I am determined that we mobilise the whole UK to ensure the benefits are shared. We've made an excellent start, which we are committed to continuing."

He was speaking with Ms Jowell as her Department for Culture, Media and Sport published the findings of an Olympic Games Impact Study, designed to maximise the national benefits the 2012 Games.

The report predicts that staging the Olympic Games could lead to a boost of at least £1.9bn to the UK's economy.

But the Minister said that is not good enough: "We can do much, much, better than that.

"Look at tourism, for example. Seb Coe and his team did Britain proud in selling our bid to the world and we can do that again, this time marketing our country and its many attractions in an eye-catching way."

22 December 2005

Full DCMS Media Release on the Olympic Games Impact Study
LOCOG Media Briefing on work of the Nations and Regions Group