London 2012 Welcome IOC Coordination Commission to London

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games today welcomed the IOC Coordination Commission to London. There were opening remarks from the IOC, London 2012 Chair Sebastian Coe, London 2012 CEO Paul Deighton, Minister for the Olympics and Minister for London Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP and Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. The prevailing theme focused on the importance of sport, elite sport and sport participation.

Highlights of LOCOG’s opening remarks are below;

Sebastian Coe

Seb Coe, Chairman of the London Organising Committee of Olympic Games and Paralympic Games addressed the IOC Co-ordination Commission today, focusing on delivering the vision and values that characterised the bid in 2005. He reaffirmed London 2012’s wish to stage a Games for athletes, with sport at its heart. He stated that the Games which will inspire young people to take up sport will leave a sustainable legacy for the people of London and the UK.

'We have made tremendous progress since the Commission was last here and the detailed plans that we continue to make and continue to work to, all reflect the vision of using the power of sport to inspire change. At the core of our plans are the athletes who will be competing. London 2012 will be a spectacular celebration of sport and culture and will inspire generations of young people in London, across the UK and beyond to take up sport and get active.

'Underpinning all of our plans is the desire to stage a sustainable Games. Games which not only inspire young people to bring sport into their lives, but also benefits local communities, UK business and leave a tangible legacy behind – in terms of sporting facilities, increased skills for both individuals and businesses which can only benefit the entire nation as we enter into a golden generation of sport. Our vision doesn’t just end in four years time, we hope it will continue for years to come.'

Paul Deighton

Speaking at the opening session of the IOC Coordination Commission, London 2012 CEO Paul Deighton focused on the roadmap that the organisation has created in order to stage a spectacular Games in 2012. Looking ahead to the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games in 98 days time, when the Olympic Flag is passed over to the Mayor of London, he spoke of London’s readiness and the challenges ahead.

“This is London’s third time hosting the Games, but our first chance to plan properly – in both 1908 and 1948, London took on the Games at the last minute after previous Host Cities were unable to fulfil the task. We are creating a dynamic organisation, one that has strong relationships with all of our stakeholders and one that is managing a privately funded budget – these are going to be critical components of staging a spectacular Games”

“We have created detailed operational plans looking at how the Games will deliver the best experience for athletes, spectators, the media, international federations and others who will be coming to London in 2012. We know the scope of the project and we know what’s required. In 98 days the Olympic Games will close in Beijing and then it’s over to us. We’re ready.”

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For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100 or visit the website at www.london2012.com. Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog http://blog.london2012.com