The Organising Committee for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is confidently looking ahead to hosting a string of test events now that the final touches are being put on a number of Olympic venues throughout the city, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission reported today.
The Commission, making its eighth visit to London to monitor and assist preparations for next summer’s Games, was impressed by both the planning and the high quality of work being carried out by London 2012.
The Coordination Commission got a first-hand look at some of the venues that are nearing construction completion, including the Olympic Stadium and the first residential block of the Athletes’ Village, as well as some that are already open for test events, including the 6,000-seat Velodrome.
“The venues look fantastic thanks in large part to the vision and planning of London 2012 and the construction team, who have clearly taken great pride in their work,” said Coordination Commission Chairman Denis Oswald. “We’re very pleased with the progress, and we can see that the athletes are really at the heart of these Games. Now it’s time to focus on the details and the testing phase, which is no easy process. But if they continue to follow the path they are currently on, we have absolutely no doubt they will deliver a top-quality Games and a great legacy.”
London will play host to 42 sports events between now and the start of the Games on 27 July 2012, which will give organisers ample opportunity to test a maximum number of logistical and operational elements.
London 2012 Chairman Seb Coe said, “The athlete in me knows that you never want to face something in an Olympic and Paralympic Games that you haven’t encountered thousands of times before in training or previous competition – and it is this principle which is guiding our preparations. I have always believed that if you focus on the athletes, who are at the heart of our Games, then we will get it right for all the other groups. We are in great shape and with less than 500 days to go we are delighted with the IOC’s very positive feedback.”
Now that many of the key infrastructure projects have been successfully delivered, the focus will switch to integrating all operational elements through a series of testing activities. Organising the Games in a city the size of London is always a complex process, and everyone must now pull together to ensure the smooth flow of transportation, spectator services and other operational elements.
The Coordination Commission’s ninth and penultimate visit to London is scheduled for 5-7 October, 2011.
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