Aussie minister gives thumbs up to London 2012

A minister of the New South Wales government who helped stage the Sydney Olympics has said London’s world famous sporting and cultural icons are its secret weapons in the city’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

Sandra Nori, minister for tourism, sport and recreation, praised the London bid and said the UK could gain major economic benefits if its bid is successful.

Visiting London from Australia, Nori discussed the London 2012 bid and its benefits with Barbara Cassani, chair of the bid team and David Campbell, CEO of VisitLondon.

“London is blessed with a collection of iconic sporting and cultural venues which are highly appealing and will help to create special Olympic moments and memories for athletes and spectators alike,” said Nori. “We used landmarks such as Sydney Harbour and the Opera House in Olympic events such as the triathlon and torch relay to great effect.”

She said she believed venues such as Wimbledon, Lords, the new Wembley Stadium, Hyde Park and Horse Guards Parade would provide stunning settings – which also means that only a small number of new venues would be needed to stage the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

She was also impressed by plans to establish a new Olympic Park in London’s Lower Lea Valley to help regenerate the East End, creating housing, jobs and sporting facilities and talked about all the benefits of hosting the Games.

“While London is already one of the great cities of the world, successfully hosting the Olympic Games will add to its reputation, particularly as a vibrant global centre for youth, culture, sport and international relations,” she said.

“The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games created enormous benefits for Sydney – prior to, during and beyond the event. The tangible benefits are estimated to be worth more than A$6.5bn in economic activity over a 12-year period.

“The Games revitalised Sydney, creating a new brand image that has seen Sydney consistently rated as one of the most desirable and ‘can do’ cities in the world,” she said.

Separately, last month, Cassani called on the country’s top business leaders to back the London 2012 bid. Speaking at the Institute of Directors annual convention she said the Games could ‘enhance the lives of millions’ and asked the business community to fly the flag for the bid.

“We need your support,” she said. “We need ambassadors around the world. We need all of you to fly the Olympic Flag and talk up the UK when you go abroad on business.”

She also listed the potential benefits to the UK of holding the Olympic and Paralympic Games – not just the added tourism, the potential to hold other world class events and the cash boost – but also the contracts that would be up for grabs from construction through to food suppliers to the Games.