Think-tank backing for London Olympic bid
Two leading think-tanks have argued that an Olympic Games in London could offer tangible benefits for the country.
With the Athens Games now over, attention is turning to the bidding process for the 2012 Olympics with London up against main rivals Paris, New York and Madrid.
Key Government figures, such as Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Tessa Jowell, were present in Athens lobbying for the UK’s bid. The Government believes that a successful bid would encourage greater sports participation, particularly among children, and contribute to its anti-obesity strategy.
But, the Olympic Games are increasingly expensive to host and some commentators have queried whether a successful London bid would have any long term benefits and whether it would leave the city with a debt burden. Montreal, which hosted the 1976 Olympics, has only just paid off its debt.
Research published this week by the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) and Demos has suggested that a successful bid could lead to an increase in the levels of sports participation.
However, they argue that all the key players should ensure that a bid does not divert funds from grassroots sport.
They note that despite Sydney 2000 being considered a widespread success, participation in nine Olympic sports has decreased in Australia, with an increase in only seven being noted.
Ippr research fellow, Anthony Vigor, said: “A 2012 London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games offer a unique opportunity to raise interest in sport. The challenge is to convert this increased interest into a lasting sporting legacy. In Athens there is a very real danger that in focusing its efforts on completing the Olympic facilities, it has jeopardised its sporting legacy. If London is to learn the lessons of previous Games it must embed the Olympics within a longer running, broader sporting strategy.”
Before London submits its final bid in November, the think-tanks will publish a full report on the legacies of previous Olympics containing detailed recommendations on best practice.
