London 2012 Olympic planning on schedule to deliver benefits for London and UK

Work on plans for the development and delivery of core programmes as outlined in the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Master Schedule is also well advanced and ahead of schedule.

The advanced planning already underway for the London Games involves a wide range of Olympic and Paralympic programmes, including:

• Finance (first LOCOG Budget established)
• Venues and Sport (all plans are moving ahead according to schedule as a core part of the work being undertaken by the ODA
• Marketing (marketing plan finalised by June 2006)
• Sponsorship (launch of sponsorship programme in 2nd half of 2006)
• Image/Identity (agency appointed to develop brand identity)
• Transport (a number of major background schemes described in the Candidature File have already been delivered on time, including increased capacity on Jubilee Line; Docklands Light Rail extension to City Airport; widening of M25 motorway; completion of Channel Tunnel Rail Link)
• Integrated planning for Olympic and Paralympic Games underway. "Access for All" framework for use in venue design and overlay

London 2012 organisers will today provide details of their progress to the IOC's Co-ordination Commission, who will advise on preparations and monitor progress for the London Games over the next six years.

"London's progress reflects the organisation's close working relationship with the IOC and the detailed planning that was carried out during the Bid," said Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

The early progress also reflects London 2012's vision to regenerate community services and facilities and enhance sporting opportunities in London and beyond, as outlined in the four key strategic commitments that will also be presented to the IOC today.

LOCOG CEO, Paul Deighton said: "Community regeneration lies at the heart of these commitments for the London 2012 Games. We want the Olympic and Paralympic Games to help create a bright new era for sport and generate long term community benefits for London and beyond."

Olympic and Paralympic Commitments To Deliver Community Benefits

The four strategic commitments, shared and approved by the organisations that make up the London 2012 Olympic Board - the Government, the Greater London Authority, the British Olympic Association, the ODA and LOCOG - underpin London's vision of hosting an inspirational, safe and inclusive Olympic and Paralympic Games and leave a sustainable legacy for London and the UK.

The strategic commitments will also underline key London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games planning and programmes.

The four commitments are:

• To stage an inspirational Olympic Games and Paralympic Games for athletes, the Olympic Family and the viewing public.
• To deliver the Olympic Park and all venues on time, within agreed budget and to specification, minimising the call on public funds and providing for a sustainable legacy.
• To maximise the economic, social health and environmental benefits of the Games for the UK, particularly through regeneration and sustainable development in East London.
• To achieve a sustained improvement in UK sport before, during and after the Games, in both elite performance particularly in Olympic and Paralympic sports and grassroots participation.

London 2012 Games organisers will also take Commission members, including Chairman Denis Oswald, to view the Olympic Park site and see the some of the development and progress that has been done in the area. (Please see notes to editors for further details on venue visits)

Olympic Minister, Tessa Jowell said: "The opening ceremony for London's Olympic Games is still more than two thousand days away but we know that if we are to stage the best Games ever, there is not a day to waste. These commitments are at the heart of everything we will be doing through to 2012 and beyond.

"The Government has already shown how serious it is about maximising the benefits from the Games to the whole of the UK. We organised a business summit in London in January; another will follow in Leeds in July. And the huge funding boost the Chancellor announced in his Budget for sport has already been translated into millions to help potential medallists in 2012. "

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: "My vision for 2012 is founded on a commitment to the legacy and benefits the Games bring to London. Winning the Olympic and Paralympic Games brings with it fantastic new opportunities to make London an even greater city with a better quality of life for all who live and work here.

"I am delighted that my agencies are already delivering new improvements and projects that are not only part of planning for the Olympics, but also improve services for Londoners here and now.

Transport for London have delivered the Docklands Light Railway extension to City Airport and begun tunnelling under the river to Woolwich linking up venues for the 2012 Games.

They have successfully added a seventh carriage to all Jubilee Line trains greatly increasing capacity, not just in every morning rush hour, but on what will also be a key link to the Olympic Stadium.

These achievements demonstrate how good our working relationship is with LOCOG, the ODA, the Government and other partners and have shown the Commission this morning that work is well underway towards delivering a world-class Games."

Jack Lemley, Chair of the London Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), said: "Regeneration and legacy issues are critical to everything the ODA is about. The Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 will provide a month of unforgettable sporting moments and memories as well as the opportunity to transform part of East London forever and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come."

British Olympic Association Chairman, Colin Moynihan said: "The London Games in 2012 offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give sport in Britain an unprecedented high priority. From increased time spent on sport in schools to a systematic approach to delivering success, hosting the Games in London must be the catalyst to securing a brighter sporting future throughout the United Kingdom."

- Ends -

For further information, please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100. The IOC Co-Ordination Commission visit to London can be followed on the London 2012 website at www.london2012.com, or at www.thenewsmarket.com/london2012, which will carry information, images and video material relating to the visit.

Notes to Editor:

IOC Commission venue visits will include:

• The O2 Centre (formerly known as the Millennium Dome), which will host the Olympic gymnastics and basketball finals in 2012
• Work site for the under grounding of overhead power lines, a milestone in the creation of the Olympic Park in east London
• The Holden Point observation platform overlooking the Olympic Park site in east London's Lower Lea Valley. Inflated colour blimps will be used to identify the locations and early pre-construction work already underway for key venues that will be housed in the centrepiece Olympic Park site
• The Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) at the new Stratford International Station, which will provide infrastructure for the Olympic Javelin rapid rail shuttle that will transport spectators from central London to the Olympic Park in just 7 minutes. This will make the Olympic Park one of the most accessible multi venue sites ever designed for host city residents, spectators and Games visitors.