London 2012 team says “We could do it better than Athens”

The London 2012 bid team has returned from the Olympic Games in Athens and said: “We could do it better.”

Charles Wijeratna, commercial director of London 2012, told delegates at the HCIMA Hospitable London conference yesterday – in London 2012’s first presentation since returning from the 2004 Olympics – that although the Athens Games went very smoothly, there were lots of things that would be done better in London.

He particularly focused on the lack of spectators at many events and the high prices of hotel rooms.

“If London were to host the Olympic Games in 2012 all the stadia would be full,” he said. “The British passion for sport would ensure that.”

The team also plans to maintain interest in the Games with medal ceremonies and parties in Hyde Park every night and by having huge screens in Trafalgar Square televising events.

He also said that London 2012 has already agreed deals with major London hoteliers making 40,000 hotel rooms available at usual prices for the duration of the Games: many Athens hotels doubled their room rates for the three week period, meaning many spectators with tickets did not actually attend.

This week the team is finalising locations ahead of presenting its technical bid details to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in mid-November.

Where possible, the bid involves using London’s great, iconic sporting venues as well as its famous landmarks. It is expected that the new Wembley National Stadium would host the football finals, the tennis would take place at Wimbledon and archery at Lords cricket ground.

Beach volleyball would be played on Horseguards Parade, the marathon would start at Buckingham Palace and take in many famous London sights and the triathlon, softball and baseball would take place in Hyde Park. Equestrian events would be held at the Maritime Museum Greenwich.

With the ExCeL centre and the Millennium Dome also expected to host events the only new buildings to be constructed will be at the 500-acre Olympic Park in the Lower Lea Valley and include an 80,000-seat athletics stadium, a VeloPark and an aquatics centre as well as the Olympic Village. Several temporary sports structures will also be constructed in the area.

“The London Olympic Games would be the most compact in history,” said Wijeratna, “with 80 per cent of the athletes competing within 15 to 20 minutes travel time of the Olympic Village.”

He added that, contrary to popular belief, transport to and from the Olympic venue would be second to none.

“Stratford International railway station will be able to bring in 90,000 people an hour through its ten train lines; 45,000 more capacity than the Sydney Olympics rail link was capable of.”

He added that while travellers to the Olympics would account for a 5 per cent rise in journeys on public transport, in August, when the Olympics would be held, journeys are down 25 per cent anyway.

He admitted however, that despite these figures, transport was perceived as a negative aspect of London’s bid and said the team is to embark on a PR campaign to gain the backing of the British public ready for the IOC’s visit in February or March next year.

“Transport won’t be an issue,” said Wijeratna. “If cities such as Athens and Barcelona, which are not public transport cities, can host the Olympics, then there is no question that London can, but we must get this message across.”

Wijeratna also highlighted that the bid team has ensured the legacy of every facility which will be built for the Games.

London 2012 has a budget of £30m to secure the Olympics, which is expected to cost £2.375bn to host. Details: www.london2012.com