London 2012 today welcomed The President of the Republic of South Africa Jacob Zuma on a tour of the Olympic Park site in east London.
President Zuma met with Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee Seb Coe, Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell, Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) John Armitt and was given an update on the progress being made on the Olympic Park and the wider preparations for the London 2012 Games.
The President also met with apprentices working on the Olympic Park site and children from schools in the five Host Boroughs who are part of the ODA’s Construction Crew programme.
President Zuma said: 'We are very impressed by the work already done in preparation for the Olympics. Through our preparations for the 2010 World Cup we can appreciate the hard work needed to stage such an event. We wish the people of London and Britain well for hosting the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.'
Minister for the Olympics and Paralympics Tessa Jowell said: 'President Zuma’s visit today is a tribute to all of the people working hard to build the Olympic Park. His visit provides an excellent opportunity to share our countries’ experiences of preparing to host what will surely be two of the greatest sporting events of the decade; in South Africa at the World Cup in 2010 and at the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.'
ODA Chairman John Armitt said: 'We are pleased to welcome President Zuma onto the Olympic Park to show the strong progress we are making across the site and hear more about South Africa’s own preparations for the World Cup this year.'
Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee Seb Coe said: 'We are delighted that President Zuma could join us today and see for himself how preparations are coming along for the Games. We want to use the power of the Games to inspire people to choose sport and South Africa is helping us achieve this.
'Not only will the football World Cup capture the world's imagination but we are working with colleagues in South Africa on implementing the International Inspiration programme which aims to enrich the lives of children and young people through the provision of high-quality and inclusive physical education, sport and play opportunities.'
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: 'As South Africa passes its 100 days to go countdown to the World Cup it's an honour to host President Zuma at the Olympic Park and show our great progress with less than 900 days to go to the 2012 London Games.
'Hosting world-class sporting events is something South Africa and London have in common and it was useful to discuss our 2018 World Cup bid with the President and his delegation. I wish him and South Africa the very best of luck this summer and hope he has an enjoyable and informative visit to London.'
Notes to Editors
1. Photos of President Zuma’s visit to the Olympic Park can be downloaded from:
http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/locog?nav=pr134055177 – Ends –
For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on +44 (0)20 3 2012 700.
The construction of the venues and infrastructure of the London 2012 Games is funded by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency.
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