View source for 2012 Summer Olympic development

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{2012 Summer Olympics}}
{{2012 Summer Paralympics Sidebar}}
The '''2012 Summer Olympic development''' process began in 2005, following the successful [[London 2012 Olympic bid|London bid]] for the [[2012 Summer Olympics]], and ran until the games in 2012. While many of the plans were included in the bid portfolio, which gained the favour of the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) over the [[2012 Summer Olympics bids|four other bids]] on 6 July 2005, there were more details released and decisions made afterwards. The [[London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games]] (LOCOG) was created to oversee many of these developments, though such a large-scale event requires the co-operation of many other agencies. These organizations are sometimes integral parts of the London 2012 plans, while others are unrelated but can still have a great effect.

The day after the announcement saw one of the worst [[terrorism|terrorist attacks]] in Britain, as London was struck by [[7 July 2005 London bombings|four bomb blasts]]. While the motivation was not linked specifically to the success of the bid it was to have an effect on the development and planning of the event.

==Timelines==
Since the [[2000 Summer Olympics]] in Sydney, Australia the IOC have developed a "master schedule" to ensure that the planning and development of the Games goes smoothly. [[Gilbert Felli]], the IOC Executive Director for the Olympic Games, explained the master schedule as "a timeline of milestones that need to be met for the Games to be delivered on time."<ref>(25 November 2005). "[http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=1563 London 2012: Orientation Seminar Concludes On Positive Note]" at the Official Olympic Games site. Retrieved 25 November 2005.</ref><ref name="MasterSchedule2">(25 November 2005). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/4471376.stm London 2012 handed IOC checklist]" at [[BBC News]]. Retrieved 25 November 2005.</ref> On 24 January 2006 LOCOG released full details of their plan, based partly on the IOC Master Schedule.

As of early 2005 60% of the venues and facilities were in place. The bid needed to detail the time plan for any further construction work that was required, and the London 2012 team came up with a schedule that would see all the facilities ready by 2011.

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!IOC Master Schedule
!Initial plan
!January 2006 plan
|-
|2005
|
|
* Site preparation for the Olympic Park
|
|-
|2006
|
* Agree a marketing and sponsorship plan
* Complete the designs for a logo
* Finalise the budget
* Complete the review of transport needs
|
* Construction for the Aquatics Centre begins (end of the year)
|
* Finalise the marketing and sponsorship plan
* Launch of the official logo & brand
|-
|2007
|
* All building plans should be completed
|
* [[Channel Tunnel]]/[[High Speed 1|Stratford rail link]]
* Construction of the Velodrome and BMX arena begins (January)
* Construction of the Athletes Village and three western arenas begins (Summer)
|
* Details of all venue specifications
|-
|2008
|
* Above-ground construction work for all venues should have started
|
* Construction of the Media Centre and [[Olympic Stadium (London)|Olympic Stadium]] begins (Summer)
* Site preparation for the Olympic Park completed
* Completion of the [[Aquatics Centre (London)|Aquatics Centre]] and [[London Velopark|Velopark]] (end of the year)
|
|-
|2009
|
|
* The [[Millennium Dome]] is converted into the [[The O2 arena (London)|O2 Arena]] in order to host the [[World Gymnastics Championships]]
|
|-
|2010
|
|
* Completion of the western arenas and [[East London Line]] extension
|
* Volunteer Recruitment programme
* Initial testing of events
|-
|2011
|
|
* Completion of the Olympic Stadium, Athletes Village and Media Centre
|
* Tickets go on sale
|}

==Announcements and developments==

===Sports===
* 27 October 2005: [[Women's boxing]] is officially ruled out of the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] in Beijing, China by the IOC, but Kelly Fairweather, their director of sport, says that it is being considered for the 2012 Games.<ref name="WomenBoxing">(27 October 2005). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/4382646.stm Women's boxing ruled out for 2008]" at [[BBC News]]. Retrieved 11 November 2005.</ref>
* 11 November 2005: The [[Scottish Football Association]] (SFA) rule out the participation of their players in a [[Great Britain national football team|Great British team]] in the [[Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics|football]] events. Players from England and Northern Ireland will compete together in the team, with the [[Football Association of Wales]] (FAW) still deciding on their position. The team gained automatic qualification to the competition because the UK is the host nation – as there is no British team competing in the [[UEFA European Under-21 Championship|UEFA Under-21 Championship]]s (the qualifying tournament) it is likely to be the only time such a team will compete in the Olympics. The BOA appealed for both the SFA and FAW to reconsider their positions, quoting statistics showing the apparent public support for the team.<ref name="GBRfootball">(11 November 2005). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4426566.stm No Scots for GB Olympic football]" at BBC News. Retrieved 11 November 2005.</ref><ref name="GBRfootball2">(11 November 2005). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4428498.stm BOA wants Scots rethink on 2012]" at BBC News. Retrieved 11 November 2005.</ref>
* 9 February 2006: An appeal against the removal of baseball and softball from London 2012 is rejected by the IOC.<ref name="NoBall">(9 February 2006). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/4696902.stm Olympic sports fail in appeal bid]" at BBC News. Retrieved 16 February 2006.</ref>
* On 15 January 2008, [[Aldershot]] Army Base is chosen over [[University of Bath|Bath]] and [[Loughborough University|Loughborough]] universities to be the training camp for the British Olympic team.<ref name="TeamGBBase">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7188035.stm|title=Aldershot to host GB Olympic team|accessdate=4 June 2008|date=15 January 2008|work=[[BBC]]}}</ref>
* 29 May 2009: After last-ditch talks prompted by a FIFA deadline, the four national federations within the UK come to a compromise regarding football participation at the Games. By that time, Northern Ireland had pulled out of any potential "Team GB". On that date, the four federations sent a letter to FIFA stating that while the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Ireland federations would not participate in unified Olympic men's and women's football teams, they would not prevent England from fielding teams under the Great Britain banner for the Games.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=650708&sec=england&cc=5901 |title=England to go solo with 2012 Olympic team? |publisher=ESPNsoccernet |date=29 May 2009 |access-date=29 May 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090601094723/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=650708&sec=england&cc=5901| archive-date= 1 June 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref>

===Organisation===
* 5 October 2005: [[Colin Moynihan|Lord Moynihan]] is chosen as the new chairman of the [[British Olympic Association]], beating David Hemery by 28 votes to 15.<ref name="MoynihanWin">(5 October 2005). "[http://www.olympics.org.uk/press/pressdetail.asp?boa_press_id=447 Lord Colin Moynihan elected chairman of the BOA]" at the Official Olympic Games site. Retrieved 17 October 2005.</ref>
* 7 October 2005: The [[London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games]] (LOCOG) has its first board meeting.<ref name="LOCOGstart">(7 October 2005). "[http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/london/full_story_uk.asp?id=1503 LONDON 2012: LOCOG Formally Established]" at the Official Olympic Games site. Retrieved 13 November 2005.</ref>
* 1 November 2005: [[Michael Lee (London 2012)|Mike Lee]], a communications director and advisor for the London 2012, resigns from his role and is replaced by Jackie Brock-Doyle.<ref name="LeeQuit">(1 November 2005). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/4395792.stm London bid media chief moves on]" at BBC News. Accessed 4 November 2005.</ref>
* 18 November 2005: [[Jack Lemley]] is appointed chairman of the [[Olympic Delivery Authority]] (ODA).<ref name="Lemley">(18 November 2005). "[http://www.london2012.org/en/news/archive/2005/November/2005-11-18-12-14.htm Coe welcomes top ODA appointment] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060302140310/http://www.london2012.org/en/news/archive/2005/November/2005-11-18-12-14.htm |date=2 March 2006 }}" at London 2012 official site. Retrieved 20 November 2005.</ref>
* 22 November 2005: David Higgins is appointed Chief Executive of the ODA.<ref name="Higgins">(22 November 2005). "[http://www.london2012.com/en/news/archive/2005/November/2005-11-22-13-03.htm Coe welcomes latest Olympic Delivery Authority appointment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125151508/http://www.london2012.com/en/news/archive/2005/November/2005-11-22-13-03.htm |date=25 November 2005 }}" at London 2012 official site. Retrieved 23 November 2005.</ref>
* 19 December 2005: [[Paul Deighton]] resigns his role as Chief Operating Officer at [[Goldman Sachs]] to take over from [[Keith Mills]] as the Chief Executive of LOCOG. Mills retains his position of vice-chairman.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}
* 11 January 2006: LOCOG and the ODA move into new premises in [[Canary Wharf]], co-locating in order to improve their communications.<ref name="CanaryWharf">(11 January 2006). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/4602048.stm 2012 Games organisers co-locate]" at BBC News. Retrieved 16 January 2006.</ref>
* 17 October 2006: [[Legacy Trust UK]] announced as new body to fund legacy cultural and sporting projects
* 18 October 2006: [[Jack Lemley]] resigns as chairman of the [[Olympic Delivery Authority]] (ODA).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sport.independent.co.uk/olympics/article1902188.ece |title= Olympic setback as chairman resigns - Independent Online Edition > Olympics|website=sport.independent.co.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181236/http://sport.independent.co.uk/olympics/article1902188.ece |archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref>
* July 2007: [[Tessa Jowell]] appointed Minister for the Olympics, Paralympics and London, and Paymaster General
* July 2007: Jeremy Beeton appointed Director General, Government Olympic Executive
* 1 August 2007: [[John Armitt]] takes up post as chairman of the [[Olympic Delivery Authority]] (ODA).
* 16 January 2009: [[Justin King (businessman)|Justin King]] appointed principal adviser on the 2012 Olympics to [[Boris Johnson]].

===Venues and infrastructure===
Some plans for [[2012 Summer Olympics venues]] have had to change since the bid was developed.
* 12 October 2005: London Mayor [[Ken Livingstone]] announces that some venues may need to change based on the security issues raised by 7 July 2005 [[7 July 2005 London bombings|terrorist attacks]].<ref name="VenueChanges">(12 October 2005). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/4335216.stm Mayor warns of 2012 venues change]" at BBC News. Retrieved 17 October 2005.</ref>
* 20 October 2005: [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.]] are told that they will not take over the Olympic Stadium after the Games finish as it will be used as an [[athletics (sport)|athletics]] venue.<ref name="Tottenham">(20 October 2005). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/4360544.stm Spurs Olympic Stadium plan dashed]" at BBC News. Retrieved 27 October 2005.</ref>
* 4 November 2005: The [[London Development Agency]] (LDA) gives a [[Eminent domain|compulsory purchase order]] to [[London and Continental Railways]] (LCR) for land required for the Olympic Park, not giving negotiations enough time to reach a settlement.<ref name="LDA-LCR">(4 November 2005). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/4408396.stm Olympic Park land row rumbles on]" at BBC News. Accessed 4 November 2005.</ref>
* 4 November 2005: [[ConstructionSkills]], placed in charge of ensuring that there are enough construction workers, predicts a serious shortage of labourers.<ref name="ConstructionSkills">(10 November 2005). "[http://english.people.com.cn/200511/04/eng20051104_218961.html London short of skill labor for 2012 Olympics construction]" at People's Daily Online. Retrieved 11 November 2005.</ref>
* 10 November 2005: Airport operator [[BAA plc|BAA]] announces plans to rebuild one of Heathrow Airport's terminals as part of the transportation arrangements for the Olympics – it hopes to have planning permission approved in 2008 and to begin construction the following year.<ref name="BAA">(10 November 2005). "[http://www.airportbusiness.com/article/article.jsp?id=4191&siteSection=4 Airport Operator Proposes Demolishing Heathrow Terminal, Rebuilding for 2012 Olympics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707100318/http://www.airportbusiness.com/article/article.jsp?id=4191&siteSection=4 |date=7 July 2011 }}" at Airport Business. Retrieved 11 November 2005.</ref>
* 15 November 2005: The LDA and LCR complete their negotiations for land and infrastructure at the Stratford City development.<ref name="LDA-LCR2">(15 November 2005). "[http://www.lda.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.1325 Joint statement from London Development Agency and London and Continental Railways]" at LDA.gov.uk. Retrieved 15 November 2005.  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213003912/http://www.lda.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.1325 |date=13 February 2012 }}</ref>
* 1 December 2005: [[Architect]] [[Zaha Hadid]] is ordered to revise her designs for the Aquatics Centre after a specification change leads to a doubling of the £75 million estimated cost.<ref name="Hadid">(1 December 2005). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/4488368.stm Olympic pool plans to be revised]" at BBC News. Accessed 1 December 2005.</ref>
* 6 December 2005: The [[Docklands Light Railway]] (DLR) extension is officially opened, connecting the [[London City Airport]] to the [[London Underground]] at [[Canning Town station|Canning Town]] as well as providing a direct line to [[Canary Wharf]] and [[Central London]].<ref name="DLRextension">(6 December 2005). "[http://www.london2012.com/en/news/archive/2005/December/2005-12-06-13-01.htm DLR extension boosts 2012 transport] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060317120000/http://www.london2012.com/en/news/archive/2005/December/2005-12-06-13-01.htm |date=17 March 2006 }}" at London 2012 official site. Retrieved 13 December 2005.</ref>
* 19 January 2006: An investigation by the Thames tideway strategy group suggests that [[sewage]] could overflow from the [[River Lea]] unless £1.7 billion is spent to upgrade {{convert|22|mi|km}} of sewers.<ref name="Sewage">Weaver, Matt (19 January 2006). "[http://society.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,1690336,00.html Sewage overflows threaten London Olympics ]" at [[The Guardian]]. Retrieved 19 January 2006.</ref>
* 9 February 2006: In an interview with [[BBC Radio Five Live]], Lord Coe says that comparisons between the Olympic venue development is not comparable to that of the delayed [[Wembley Stadium]]<ref name="NotWembley">(9 February 2006). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/4696426.stm Coe confident of Olympic planning]" at BBC News. Retrieved 16 February 2006.</ref>
* In October 2006, ODA chairman [[Jack Lemley]] resigned over political delays to development. Lemley claimed that in the 15 months since London won the Games, no remediation work has begun on the {{convert|757|acre|km2|adj=on}} site in east London. He accused the organisers of failing to move quickly enough to tackle a threat posed by German bombs buried on the Olympic site, among contaminants also thought to include low-level radioactive waste and poisonous metals<ref name="LemleyContam">(5 November 2006). [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,176-2437984,00.html The Sunday Times]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Sunday Times. Retrieved 5 November 2006.</ref>
* On 22 May 2008, construction began on the [[Olympic Stadium (London)|Olympic Stadium]], three months ahead of its original August start date, due to the quicker than expected clearing of the Lea Valley site.<ref name="EarlyStadiumBuild">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/7414112.stm|title=Olympic stadium work starts early|accessdate=4 June 2008|date=22 May 2008|work=[[BBC]]| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080624125630/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/7414112.stm| archivedate= 24 June 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>
* On 27 May 2008, the [[International Olympic Committee|IOC]] completed a three-day visit to London to assess the progress of the development.<ref name="MayAssessment">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/london_2012/7409734.stm|title=IOC pleased with London progress|accessdate=4 June 2008|date=22 May 2008|work=[[BBC]]| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080530032227/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/london_2012/7409734.stm| archivedate= 30 May 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> The committee was pleased with London's Olympic preparations, awarding the capital a score of 9.75 out of 10.<ref name="MayAssessment" /> IOC co-ordination commission chairman Denis Oswald stated: "From what we have seen, we are very confident we will have excellent facilities for the Games."<ref name="MayAssessment" />

===Ticketing===
* 18 October 2005: [[Sebastian Coe|Lord Coe]], the chairman of the London organising committee, announces that half of the eight million tickets on sale will be priced at £20 or less.<ref name="CheapTickets">(18 October 2005). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/4354072.stm Coe makes pledges on 2012 tickets]" at BBC News. Retrieved 19 October 2005.</ref> However, this did not turn out to be correct, with the cheapest tickets being priced at £20.12 and the most expensive being sold at £2012.00. Many British people were reported to be infuriated at the price, as well as the method of sale of the tickets, with some saying that it was too difficult for ordinary British people to get tickets for their favourite sports.

===Tourism===
* 3 November 2005: Keith Mills, the Deputy Chairman of LOCOG, speaks at the Annual General Meeting of Visit London and states that the Games could be worth £2 billion to London's visitor economy.<ref name="2Billion">(3 November 2005). "[http://www.london2012.com/en/news/archive/2005/November/2005-11-03-15-17.htm £2 billion tourism benefit from Games] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060317120000/http://www.london2012.com/en/news/archive/2005/november/2005-11-03-15-17.htm |date=17 March 2006 }}" at London 2012 official site. Accessed 4 November 2005.</ref>
* November 2005: [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Tony Blair]] and [[Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport|Culture Secretary]] [[Tessa Jowell]] meet with Lord Coe and the leaders of major tourism and leisure groups, telling them that quick action could lead to a 25% growth in tourism.<ref name="25Growth">(15 November 2005). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4438618.stm 'Time to raise Olympic billions']" at BBC News. Retrieved 15 November 2005.</ref>

===Logo and graphics===
{{Update|inaccurate=yes|date=August 2012}}
There were two London 2012 logos: one for the bidding process created by Kino Design and a second as the brand for the Games themselves. The former is a ribbon with blue, yellow, black, green and red stripes winding through the text "LONDON 2012", making the shape of the [[River Thames]] in East London. The latter, designed by [[Wolff Olins]], was published on 4 June 2007 and cost £400,000,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/6718243.stm |title=London unveils logo of 2012 Games |work=BBC Sport |date=4 June 2007 |accessdate=5 July 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070901012256/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/6718243.stm |archivedate=1 September 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> as a representation of the number 2012, with the [[Olympic symbols|Olympic Rings]] embedded within the zero.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.london2012.com/about-newlook-video.html |title=The new London 2012 brand |publisher=London 2012 |date=4 June 2007 |accessdate=4 June 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070606204757/http://www.london2012.com/about-newlook-video.html|archivedate=6 June 2007}}</ref> The same logo was used for the first time for both the Olympic and Paralympic games.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/6718243.stm |title=London 2012 logo to be unveiled |work=BBC Sport |date=4 June 2007 |accessdate=4 June 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613121008/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/6718243.stm |archivedate=13 June 2007|url-status=live}}</ref>

The standard colours are green, magenta, orange and blue. The logo colours were modified to allow the incorporation of a variety of colours, including the [[Union Flag]] to promote the handover ceremony.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.london2012.com/get-involved/handover/index.php |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829123558/http://www.london2012.com/get-involved/handover/index.php |title=Get involved: Handover|publisher=London 2012 |date=n.d. |accessdate=23 June 2012 |archivedate=29 August 2008}}</ref> Sebastian Coe at the launch of the logo said:<blockquote>The logo builds upon everything that the organising committee has said about reaching out and engaging young people, which is where our challenge is over the next five years.<ref>{{cite news |title='Oh no' logo |author=Geoghegan, Tom |date=5 June 2007 |url=http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6719805.stm |work=BBC News }}</ref></blockquote>

Public reaction to the logo in June 2007 was largely negative, with more than 80% of votes gave the logo the lowest possible rating.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/6718243.stm?dynamic_vote=ON |title=BBC poll measuring public reaction to the new London Olympics logo |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Several newspapers have run their own logo competitions, displaying alternative submissions from their readers,<ref name="turnuptheirnoses">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/06/world/europe/06iht-brits.4.6026414.html?_r=1 |title=British turn up their noses at London Olympics logo|newspaper=The New York Times |date= 6 June 2007 |author=Cowell, Alan}}</ref> while several writers from news agencies criticizing the logo.<ref name="turnuptheirnoses"/><ref>{{cite web|author=Stocks, Claire |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sporteditors/2007/06/why_we_should_give_london_2012.html |title=Why we should give London 2012 logo a chance |publisher=BBC Sport Editors' blog |date=5 June 2007 |accessdate=20 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429104334/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sporteditors/2007/06/why_we_should_give_london_2012.html |archivedate=29 April 2009 }}</ref> A segment of animated footage released at the same time as the logo was reported to trigger seizures in a small number of people with [[photosensitive epilepsy]], and in response, a short segment was removed from the London 2012 website.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6724245.stm |title=Epilepsy fears over 2012 footage |work=BBC News |accessdate=5 June 2007|date=5 June 2007 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20070711041435/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6724245.stm|archivedate=11 July 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2011, [[Iran]] complained that the logo appeared to spell out the word "[[Zion]]" and threatened to boycott the Olympics, but eventually did not boycott.<ref>{{cite news |title=London Olympics: Iran to compete despite logo complaint |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12724166 |work=BBC News |date=12 March 2011 |accessdate=24 July 2012}}</ref> Alan Cowell from ''[[The New York Times]]'' said that people had compared the logo to "a broken [[swastika]] or a comical sex act between [[the Simpsons]]".<ref name="turnuptheirnoses"/>

<gallery class="center">
File:London 2012 signage at Glasgow Central.JPG|Olympics branding on a sign at [[Glasgow Central railway station|Glasgow Central]] station, showing passengers where to queue for trains to [[Hampden Park]]
File:London 2012 Flags in Manchester.JPG|Flags like these in [[Piccadilly Gardens]], Manchester were installed across the UK in green, magenta, orange and blue.
File:St Pancras Olympic Rings.jpg|Large Olympics logos were installed at London landmarks including [[St Pancras Station]] (shown here) and [[Tower Bridge]].
File:Kew Gardens 0495.JPG|[[Kew Gardens]] in London did a large floral display of the Olympic logo.
</gallery>

==Events and visits==
* 1 September 2005: Thousands of people gather in [[Trafalgar Square]] to celebrate the Olympic win.<ref name="Party">(1 September 2005). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/4198088.stm Crowd hails 2012 Olympic victory]" at BBC News. Retrieved 17 October 2005.</ref>
* 12 October 2005: [[Elizabeth II]] visits the site of the Olympic Park and expresses how she thinks that it is "exciting" and "fascinating".<ref name="QueenVisit">(12 October 2005). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4333378.stm Queen sees 'exciting' Games site]" at BBC News. Retrieved 11 November 2005.</ref>
* 31 October 2005: Over 200 of the organisers of the London 2012 bid attend a celebratory party at [[Downing Street]].<ref name="StaffParty">(31 October 2005). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4394690.stm Party celebrates 2012 Olympic win]" at BBC News. Accessed 4 November 2005.</ref>
* 8 November 2005: Visiting London as part of a Presidential State Visit, Chinese business delegates meet with the London organising committee, highlighting the similarities between the London and Beijing games. [[Tony Blair]] says that the events will help "create a bond between the two Olympic cities and our two countries".<ref name="ChineseVisit">(8 November 2005). "[http://english.people.com.cn/200511/08/eng20051108_219632.html Chinese business leaders inspect London 2012 Olympic park site]" at People's Daily Online. Retrieved 11 November 2005.</ref>
* 24 November 2005: A delegation from the IOC arrives to check on progress and offer planning advice.<ref name="IOCVisit">(23 November 2005). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/4464444.stm London prepares for IOC check-up]" at BBC News. Retrieved 23 November 2005.</ref>

==Awards and recognition==
* 8 November 2005: Various aspects of the bid win awards for business and technology:<ref name="8NovAwards">(8 November 2005). "[http://london2012.org/en/news/archive/2005/November/2005-11-08-13-20.htm More plaudits for London 2012] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124015240/http://london2012.org/en/news/archive/2005/November/2005-11-08-13-20.htm |date=24 November 2005 }}" at the London 2012 official site. Retrieved 11 November 2005.</ref>
** The London 2012 logo wins the "Best International Brand" award at the 2005 International Business Awards
** The [[British Association of Communicators in Business]] (CIB) names the bid team "Communicators of the Year"
** The research team wins "Research Client of the Year" at the [[Market Research Society]] ''Excellence & Effectiveness Awards''
** The London 2012 [[web site]] is recognised for its [[search engine optimization|search engine optimisation]] programme.
* 9 November 2005: ''[[Accountancy Age]]'' readers vote Neil Wood "Personality of the Year 2005" for his work as financial director for the London 2012 bid and as LOCOG financial director.<ref name="AccountancyAge">(9 November 2005). "[http://www.accountancyage.com/accountancyage/features/2145814/awards-2005-personality-neil-wood Awards 2005: personality of the year - Neil Wood] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060213185317/http://www.accountancyage.com/accountancyage/features/2145814/awards-2005-personality-neil-wood |date=13 February 2006 }} at Accountancy Age. Retrieved 13 November 2005.</ref>
* 16 November 2005: Lord Coe is awarded the [[Walpole Medal of Excellence]] by the [[Walpole Group]], and Keith Mills is named as "Business Leader of the Year" in the 2005 London Business Awards.<ref name="Walpole">(16 November 2005). "[http://www.london2012.com/en/news/archive/2005/November/2005-11-16-10-50.htm Bid leaders recognised] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060317120000/http://www.london2012.com/en/news/archive/2005/november/2005-11-16-10-50.htm |date=17 March 2006 }} at London 2012 official site. Retrieved 17 November 2005.</ref>
* 12 December 2005: Lord Coe is given a special award at the [[BBC Sports Personality of the Year]] awards ceremony for his role in the bid.<ref name="SPOTY">(11 December 2005). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/4519100.stm Coe picks up surprise BBC award]" at BBC News. Retrieved 12 December 2005.</ref>
* 31 December 2005: In the [[British honours system|New Year's honours]] list numerous members of the bidding team are given recognition and join [[Order of the British Empire|The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire]]:<ref name="NYH">(31 December 2005). "[http://www.london2012.com/en/news/archive/2005/December/2005-12-31-14-40.htm London 2012 team honoured in New Year list] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060317120000/http://www.london2012.com/en/news/archive/2005/December/2005-12-31-14-40.htm |date=17 March 2006 }} at London 2012 official site. Accessed 2 January 2006.</ref>
** Lord Coe becomes a Knight Commander (KBE), and Keith Mills and former BOA chairman Craig Reedie are given knighthoods
** CBEs:
*** [[Simon Clegg]], BOA Chief Executive
*** Dick Palmer, Technical Director
** OBEs:
*** Mike Power, London 2012 CEO
*** Mike Lee, Communications director
*** Catharina Reynolds from the Olympic Games Unit at the [[Department for Culture, Media and Sport]] (DCMS)
** MBEs:
*** David Magliano, Director of Marketing
*** Jon Armstrong, Co-ordinator of the Nations & Regions Group
*** Ayesha Qureshi, Community Affairs Manager
*** [[Richard Sumray]], Chairman of the [[London Forum]]
*** Neil Wood, Financial Director
*** Patricia Hindley of the DCMS

==Opinions and comments==
* 19 August 2005: There are calls to relax firearms laws which prevent British pistol shooters training.<ref name="Shooters">Fraser, Andrew (19 August 2005). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/4162498.stm Shooters seek handgun law change]" at BBC News. Retrieved 17 October 2005.</ref>
* 17 October 2005: [[Rupert Mitford, 6th Baron Redesdale]] requests that [[morris dance|morris dancing]] is represented in the opening ceremony.<ref name="MorrisDance">Parkinson, Justin (17 October 2005). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4349088.stm Morris dancing for the Olympics?]" at BBC News. Retrieved 17 October 2005.</ref>
* 17 October 2005: [[Peter Keen (cyclist)|Peter Keen]], in charge of planning for British success at the Olympics, expresses his concerns that the "fourth place in the medals table" target is not achievable without a significant increase in funding.<ref name="KeenFunding">(17 October 2005) "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/4349922.stm Keen calls for more elite coaches]" at BBC News. Retrieved 17 October 2005.</ref>
* 30 November 2005: A survey conducted by the Association of London Government's (ALG) shows that 68% of Londoners (78% in the 18–34 age group) believe that the Games will have long-term benefits for people living in London.<ref name="ALG">(30 November 2005) "[http://www.london2012.com/en/news/archive/2005/November/2005-11-30-11-52.htm Public support still strong for London 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060317120000/http://www.london2012.com/en/news/archive/2005/november/2005-11-30-11-52.htm |date=17 March 2006 }}" at London 2012 official site. Accessed 1 December 2005.</ref>
* 22 January 2007: Andrew Culf opines reasons for optimism for successful games outweigh reasons for worry<ref>{{cite news |last=Culf |first=Andrew |date=22 January 2007 |title=It's 2,012 days until 2012 |url=http://sport.guardian.co.uk/london2012/story/0,,1996424,00.html |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=25 February 2019}}</ref>

=== Venues and infrastructure ===
{{Main|Venues of the 2012 Summer Olympics|2012 Olympic Marathon Course}}
[[File:Olympic Stadium October 2009 SM.jpg|thumb|left|The Olympic Stadium under construction in October 2009]]
The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will use a mixture of new venues, existing and historic facilities, and temporary facilities, some of them in well-known locations such as [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]] and [[Horse Guards Parade]]. In the wake of the problems that plagued the [[Millennium Dome]], the organisers' intention is that there will be no [[white elephant]]s after the Games and instead that a "[[2012 legacy]]" will be delivered. Some of the new facilities will be reused in their Olympic form, while others, including the 80,000 seater main stadium,<ref>{{cite news|date=8 November 2007|url=http://www.coolapproach.com/gossip_story.asp?id=11|title=London unveils 2012 stadium plan|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329093909/http://www.coolapproach.com/gossip_story.asp?id=11|archivedate=29 March 2008}}</ref> will be reduced in size or relocated elsewhere in the UK. The plans are part of the regeneration of [[Stratford, London|Stratford]] in east London which will be the site of the [[Olympic Park, London|Olympic Park]], and of the neighbouring [[Lower Lea Valley]].

[[File:Wembley Stadium interior.jpg|thumb|right|[[Wembley Stadium]] became a venue for [[association football|football]].]]
This has required the [[Eminent domain|compulsory purchase]] of some business properties, which are being demolished to make way for Olympic venues and infrastructure improvements. This has caused some controversy, with some of the affected proprietors claiming that the compensation offered is inadequate. In addition, concerns about the development's potential impact on the future of the century-old [[Manor Garden Allotments]] have inspired a community campaign, and the demolition of the [[Clays Lane Estate|Clays Lane housing estate]] was opposed by tenants.

The majority of venues have been divided into three zones within [[Greater London]]: the Olympic Zone, the River Zone and the Central Zone. In addition to these are those venues that, by necessity, are outside the boundaries of Greater London, such as the [[Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy]] on the [[Isle of Portland]] in [[Dorset]] which will host the sailing events, some 125&nbsp;miles (200&nbsp;km) southwest of the Olympic Park. The football tournament will be staged at several grounds around the UK.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Event magazine |accessdate=7 June 2010 |date=7 June 2010 |url=http://www.eventmagazine.co.uk/Events/article/1007792/Ricoh-Arena-replace-Villa-Park-London-2012-football-venue/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130420030006/http://www.eventmagazine.co.uk/Events/article/1007792/Ricoh-Arena-replace-Villa-Park-London-2012-football-venue/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 April 2013 |title=Ricoh Arena to replace Villa Park as London 2012 football venue }}</ref>

===Public transport===
[[File:St Pancras railway station MMB 31 395018.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Olympic Javelin]] service runs between [[St Pancras railway station|St Pancras]] and [[Ebbsfleet International railway station|Ebbsfleet]], via [[Stratford International station|Stratford]]]]
London's public transport was an element of the bid which was scored poorly in the IOC's initial evaluation; however, they felt that if the improvements were delivered in time for the Games then London would cope.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.olympic.org/Documents/Host_city_elections/2012_OG-Report_of_the_Evaluation_Commission.pdf |title=Report of the IOC Evaluation Commission for the Games of the XXX Olympiad in 2012 |publisher=Olympic.org |accessdate=23 June 2012}}</ref> [[Transport for London]] (TfL) carried out numerous improvements in preparation for 2012, including the expansion of the [[London Overground]]'s [[East London Line]], upgrades to the [[Docklands Light Railway]] and the [[North London Line]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/london-olympics/ |title=London Olympics Transport Upgrade |work=Railway Technology |date=15 June 2011 |accessdate=15 October 2011}}</ref> and the introduction of a new "[[Olympic Javelin|Javelin]]" high-speed rail service,<ref>{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/3957867.stm |work=BBC News |title=High-speed rail links confirmed |date=27 October 2004}}</ref> using the [[Hitachi|Hitachi Corporation]]'s "bullet" trains.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7779224.stm |work=BBC News |title=Javelin train speeds into London |date=12 December 2008}}</ref> The platforms at [[Stratford International station]] (which are at a height designed for Eurostar trains) will be temporarily raised to accommodate the Javelin trains.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14812035 |work=BBC News |title=Stratford platforms raised to host Javelin trains |date=7 September 2011}}</ref> According to Network Rail, an additional 4,000 train services will run during the Games, and train operators will put on longer trains during the day.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13534021 |work=BBC News |title=Extra trains planned for visitors to London 2012 venues |date=25 May 2011}}</ref>

During the Games, Stratford International station will not be served by any international services as Eurostar services will pass through the station without stopping. Passengers must change at London St Pancras and travel out to Stratford with the Javelin service to reach the Olympic Park.<ref name="bbc-stratford-int">{{cite news|title=Eurostar 'will not stop' at Stratford International|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10154343|accessdate=24 July 2012|newspaper=BBC News|date=25 May 2010}}</ref> TfL have also announced that westbound trains will not stop at [[Hackney Wick railway station]].<ref name="tfl-hackney">{{cite web|title=Hackney Wick |url=http://www.getaheadofthegames.com/travelinaffectedareas/city/transport/publictransportoverlay/hackneywick.html |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120719155804/http://www.getaheadofthegames.com/travelinaffectedareas/city/transport/publictransportoverlay/hackneywick.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 July 2012 |work=Get Ahead of the Games |publisher=Transport for London |accessdate=24 July 2012 }}</ref> [[Pudding Mill Lane DLR station]], which is located within the boundary of the Olympic Park, will close entirely during the Games.<ref name="tfl-pudding">{{cite web|title=Pudding Mill Lane |url=http://www.getaheadofthegames.com/travelinaffectedareas/city/transport/publictransportoverlay/439.html |work=Get Ahead of the Games |publisher=Transport for London |accessdate=24 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723070306/http://www.getaheadofthegames.com/travelinaffectedareas/city/transport/publictransportoverlay/439.html |archivedate=23 July 2012 }}</ref>

[[File:Emirates Air Line towers 24 May 2012.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Emirates Air Line (cable car)|Emirates Air Line]] crosses the [[River Thames]] between [[Greenwich Peninsula]] and the [[Royal Docks]]]]
TfL has also built a £25&nbsp;million [[Aerial lift|cable car]] across the [[River Thames]], the [[Emirates Air Line (cable car)|Emirates Air Line]], to link 2012 Olympics venues.<ref name="CableBBC">{{cite news |title=Thames cable car to link 2012 Olympic Games venues|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/10501313.stm |work=BBC News |accessdate=4 July 2010 |date=4 July 2010|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707085230/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/10501313.stm |archivedate=7 July 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> It was inaugurated in June 2012 and crosses the Thames between [[Greenwich Peninsula]] and the [[Royal Docks]], carrying up to 2,500 passengers an hour at a heights above {{convert|50|m|ft}} in the air. It is designed to cut journey times between the [[The O2 (London)|O2 arena]] and the [[ExCeL London|ExCel exhibition centre]] – both of which are Olympic locations. The system could provide a crossing every 30&nbsp;seconds.<ref name="tfl-announcement">{{cite press release|title=Plans unveiled for a new Thames crossing with London's first cable car system |url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/16125.aspx |accessdate=5 July 2010 |publisher=Transport for London |date=4 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100912182337/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/16125.aspx |archivedate=12 September 2010 }}</ref>

The plan is to have 80% of athletes travel less than 20&nbsp;minutes to their event<ref>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmtran/588/588i.pdf |title=Going for Gold: Transport for London's 2012 Olympic Games|publisher=House of Commons Transport Committee |date=8 March 2006 |accessdate=15 October 2011}}</ref> and to have 93% of athletes within 30&nbsp;minutes of their event.<ref name="transport">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/london_2012/4025027.stm |work=BBC Sport |title=London plan at-a-glance |date=6 July 2005 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209004335/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/london_2012/4025027.stm |archivedate=9 December 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Olympic Park would be served by ten separate railway lines with a combined capacity of 240,000 passengers per hour.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/3866209.stm |work=BBC News |title=Free travel plan for Olympic bid |date=5 July 2004}}</ref> In addition, the LOCOG planned for 90% of the venues to be served by three or more types of public transport.<ref name="transport"/> Two park-and-ride sites were off the M25 with a combined capacity of 12,000 cars 25&nbsp;minutes away from the Olympic Park. Another park-and-ride site was planned in Ebbsfleet which would have capacity for 9,000 cars where spectators could board a 10-minute shuttle bus.<ref name="transport"/> To get spectators to Eton Dorney, four park-and-ride schemes were set up. Spectators would be dropped off at [[Windsor Racecourse]] with a bridge going over the Thames linking the racecourse to the rowing venue.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-14911974 |title=Olympics 2012: Park and ride schemes for Dorney Lake events |work=BBC News |date=14 September 2011 |accessdate=15 October 2011}}</ref>

Some lanes on some roads in London will be dedicated to athletes, officials and VIPs.<ref>[http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/18196.aspx Olympic and Paralympic route network] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305060001/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/18196.aspx |date=5 March 2012 }}, TfL</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/olympics/olympic-news/revealed-the-road-signs-that-will-ban-drivers-from-olympic-lanes-6368234.html |author=Beard, Matthew |title= Revealed: the road signs that will ban drivers from Olympic lanes |newspaper=London Evening Standard |date=15 November 2011}}</ref>

Concerns have been expressed at the logistics of spectators travelling to the events outside London. In particular, the [[Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy|sailing event]]s at [[Portland, England|Portland]] are in an area without direct motorway connections, and with local roads that are heavily congested by tourist traffic in the summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.panamericanchauffeurs.com/london_olympics_2012_airport_transfers.html |title=2012 London Olympic Games &#124; London Chauffeur Limo Service |publisher=Panamerican Chauffeurs |date=6 July 2005 |accessdate=15 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103172317/http://www.panamericanchauffeurs.com/london_olympics_2012_airport_transfers.html |archivedate=3 November 2011 }}</ref> However, the Weymouth area did undergo a major upgrade to its road infrastructure. A£77&nbsp;million relief road connecting Weymouth to Dorchester was built and opened in 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/6529709.stm |work=BBC News |title=Go-ahead won for £77m relief road |date=5 April 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-12769307 |work=BBC News |title=Weymouth Olympic relief road is opened |date=17 March 2011}}</ref> Some £16&nbsp;million was put aside for the rest of the improvements.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8323724.stm |work=BBC News |title=Olympics road plans put on show |date=24 October 2009}}</ref> In addition the plans removed five roundabouts to ease congestion and replaced them with traffic lights.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10255538 |work=BBC News |title=Business fears over Weymouth Olympic transport works |date=7 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8594642.stm |work=BBC News |title=Roundabouts to get Olympic money|date=30 March 2010}}</ref> But some residents were unhappy that the roundabouts were removed.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/news/8575468/Olympic-backlash-spreads-to-Weymouth.html |location=London |work=The Daily Telegraph|first=David |last=Millward |title=Olympic backlash spreads to Weymouth |date=14 June 2011}}</ref>

[[FirstGroup]] will provide the venue shuttle and park-and-ride services, services connecting peripheral park-and-ride sites on the [[M25 motorway|M25]] with the [[Olympic Park, London|Olympic Park]] and [[Ebbsfleet Valley|Ebbsfleet]], and a nationwide network of express coaches to the Olympic Park and the [[Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy|Weymouth and Portland sailing venue]]. The services will require around 900 vehicles in total, although some will be sub-contracted.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.transportxtra.com/magazines/local_transport_today/news/?ID=18702 |title=ODA plays down South East's fears about Olympic legacy coach network |work=Local Transport Today |date=22 January 2010 |accessdate=30 January 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100130183257/http://www.transportxtra.com/magazines/local_transport_today/news/?ID=18702 |archivedate=30 January 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Statement re Bus and Coach contract at London 2012 Games |url=http://www.firstgroup.com/corporate/latest_news/?id=005071 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110629105637/http://www.firstgroup.com/corporate/latest_news/?id=005071 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2011 |date=15 February 2010 |publisher=FirstGroup |accessdate=16 April 2010 }}</ref>

TfL have published information to encourage cycling as a mode of transport during the Games.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cycling |url=http://www.getaheadofthegames.com/things-you-should-know/cyclists.html |work=Get Ahead of the Games |publisher=TfL |accessdate=24 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720101014/http://www.getaheadofthegames.com/things-you-should-know/cyclists.html |archivedate=20 July 2012 }}</ref> Cyclists, like motorists, are not permitted to ride in the designated Olympic Lanes on London streets. Some designated cycle paths such as the [[Lea Valley Walk|Lea Valley towpath]] are closed to the public during the Olympics.<ref name="guardian-cycling">{{cite news|last=Tuffrey|first=Laurie|title=Olympics regulations force cyclists to dismount|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2012/jul/10/olympics-regulations-cyclists|newspaper=The Guardian|accessdate=24 July 2012|location=London|date=10 July 2012}}</ref>

===Financing===
{{quote box|title=Ken Livingstone on the Olympic bid
|quote=I didn't bid for the Olympics because I wanted three weeks of sport; I bid for the Olympics because it's the only way to get the billions of pounds out of the Government to develop the East End – to clean the soil, put in the infrastructure and build the housing. It's exactly how I plotted it, to ensnare the Government to put money into an area it has neglected for 30 years.
|author=[[Ken Livingstone]]|source=speaking in 2008<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-04-13 |title=Ken Livingstone admits he only bid for 2012 Olympics to 'ensnare' |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/ken-livingstone-admits-he-only-bid-for-2012-olympics-to-ensnare-taxpayer-billions-to-develop-east-end-7290494.html |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref>
|width=40%
}}
The costs of mounting the Games are separate from those for building the venues and infrastructure, and redeveloping the land for the Olympic Park. While the Games are privately funded, the venues and Park costs are met largely by public money.

On 15 March 2007 [[Tessa Jowell]] announced to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] a budget of £5.3 billion to cover building the venues and infrastructure for the Games, at the same time announcing the wider regeneration budget for the Lower Lea Valley budget at £1.7 billion.

On top of this, she announced various other costs including an overall additional contingency fund of £2.7 billion, security and policing costs of £600 million, VAT of £800 million and elite sport and Paralympic funding of nearly £400 million. According to these figures, the total for the Games and the regeneration of the East London area, is £9.345 billion. Then Mayor [[Ken Livingstone]] pledged the Games Organising Committee would make a profit.<ref>{{cite news|publisher = BBC|accessdate =22 April 2007|date=15 March 2007|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6453575.stm|title =Olympics budget rises to £9.3bn| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20070325192821/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6453575.stm| archivedate= 25 March 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>

The costs for staging the Games (£2 billion) are funded from the private sector by a combination of sponsorship, merchandising, ticketing and broadcast rights. This budget is raised and managed by the London 2012 Organising Committee. According to Games organisers, the funding for this budget broadly breaks down as:
* 64% from Central Government;
* 23% from [[National Lottery (United Kingdom)|National Lottery]]
* 13% from the [[Mayor of London]] and the [[London Development Agency]]

On 18 August 2007 ''[[The Belfast Telegraph]]'' reported that jubilation over winning the right to stage the Olympic Games was becoming more muted as realisation dawns on the public of the enormous costs involved in creating facilities for the athletes.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper =Belfast Telegraph|accessdate =18 August 2007|date=18 August 2007|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/opinion/article2874458.ece|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070927191937/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/opinion/article2874458.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 September 2007|title =Viewpoint: Olympic gold snatched from Ulster }}</ref> Grassroot sport cuts will fund the Olympics, government figures suggested on 19 August 2007.<ref name=TimesCracknell>{{cite news| last=Cracknell |first=David |date=19 August 2007 |title =Sport cuts will fund Olympics |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/sport-cuts-will-fund-olympics-ddmlqvh6c2l |work=[[The Times]] |location=London, England |access-date =25 February 2019}}</ref>

In November 2007, [[Edward Leigh]] MP, criticised the organisers for significantly underestimating the cost of staging the games, suggesting they had either "acted in bad faith or were incompetent".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7094992.stm |work=BBC News |title=2012 Chiefs Face Costs Criticism |date=14 November 2007 |accessdate=23 April 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112014333/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7094992.stm |archivedate=12 January 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>

There have, however, been concerns over how the Olympics are to be funded. In February 2008, a London Assembly culture and sport committee report expressed concerns over the funding of the games taking away money from London's sports and arts groups.<ref name="Olympics £440m 'drain on culture'">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7262307.stm |work=BBC News |title=Olympics £440m 'drain on culture' |date=25 February 2008 |accessdate=23 April 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111210524/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7262307.stm |archivedate=11 January 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> There have also been complaints that funding towards the Olympics has been to the detriment of funding other areas of the UK. In [[Wales]], there has been criticism from [[Plaid Cymru]] about the games depriving Wales of money, by using UK-wide funding rather than English funding.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_headline=shocking-8216-cost-8217-to-wales-of-olympics&method=full&objectid=19904883&siteid=50082-name_page.html |title=Shocking cost to Wales of Olympics |publisher=Icwales.icnetwork.co.uk |date=6 October 2007 |accessdate=20 May 2010}}</ref> The [[Wales on Sunday]] newspaper claimed former [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|UK Prime Minister]] [[Tony Blair]] broke his promise to not use [[National Lottery (United Kingdom)|National Lottery]] funding for the Olympic games.<ref name="MPs back Olympic funds transfer">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7188957.stm |work=BBC News |title=MPs back Olympic funds transfer |date=15 January 2008 |accessdate=23 April 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111215141/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7188957.stm |archivedate=11 January 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/columnists/2008/01/20/broken-promises-cause-games-anger-91466-20370587/ |title=Broken promises cause games anger |publisher=Icwales.icnetwork.co.uk |date=20 January 2008 |accessdate=20 May 2010 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120710201619/http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/columnists/2008/01/20/broken-promises-cause-games-anger-91466-20370587/ |archivedate=10 July 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

As at December 2009, the Delivery Authority had allocated £702 million of Programme and Funders' contingency, largely to cover the decisions to publicly fund the Village and Media Centre after it became clear private funding could not be secured on acceptable terms during the 2008 to 2010 economic crisis. According to the [[Government Olympic Executive]] and [[Olympic Delivery Authority]] risk assessments the remaining £1,270 million contingency is sufficient to manage risks to the Delivery Authority's programme.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/2012_olympics.aspx |title=Preparations for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Progress report February 2010 |publisher=Nao.org.uk |date=26 February 2010 |accessdate=20 May 2010 |archive-date=9 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509193242/http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/2012_olympics.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Also from May 2010, the Olympic budget will be cut by £27 million as part of the £6.2 billion cuts by the new Conservative-Liberal coalition government.

==See also==
* [[London Olympics (disambiguation)]]
* [[List of Olympic size swimming pools in the United Kingdom]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090311022155/http://www.london2012.com/ London 2012 Olympics official site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090621190305/http://www.uk.atosorigin.com/en-uk/olympic_games/london2012/default.htm London 2012 Technology Roadmap]– The IT & Technology roadmap for London 2012
* [http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=1793 IOC assessment of current progress] (21 April 2006)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071017055622/http://planning.london2012.com/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=JD3JF2SZL0000 ODA Planning Applications] – Public access site for ODA planning applications. (click on associated documents tab for access to detailed pdfs)

{{DEFAULTSORT:2012 Summer Olympic Development}}
[[Category:2012 Summer Olympics|Development]]