OLYMPIC GAMES
Letter to the Parliamentary Relations
and Devolution Team, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, from the
Clerk of the Committee, 1 December 2004
The Committee has noted a recent report in the
Independent on Sunday in which it is suggested that the
involvement of British Embassies and High Commissions in support
of London's bid to stage the Olympic Games may be inconsistent
with the IOC's rules.
I would be grateful to receive, by 20 December,
a note on what activities Posts have been, or propose to be engaged
in, in support of the Olympic bid; and on what steps have been
taken to ensure that all such activity is fully consistent with
the relevant rules of the International Olympic Committee.
Steve Priestley
Clerk of the Committee
1 December 2004
Letter to the Clerk of the Committee from
the Parliamentary Relations and Devolution Team, Foreign and Commonwealth
Office, 8 December 2004
In your letter of 1 December you asked for a
note about the activities of our overseas Posts in relation to
the London 2012 Olympic bid.
The issue you raise is in fact covered by documents
placed in the Library of the House, in support of an answer given
by Baroness Symons on 17 November to a question from the Lord
Moynihan. A copy of the question/answer, and supporting documents,
are enclosed for ease of reference. It is Annex A that gives guidance
on what can and cannot be done around the bid to ensure we do
not contravene IOC regulations.
I should also like to draw your attention to
a letter from Mr Bill Rammell to the Independent on Sunday,
which is relevant to this issue. A copy of this is also enclosed.
Chris Stanton
Parliamentary Relations & Devolution Team
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
8 December 2004
Annex 1
Lord Moynihan asked Her
Majesty's Government:
Which UK sport and recreation programmes and
initiatives the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have promoted
through their diplomatic missions abroad since the year 2000;
and whether they will place in the Library of the House any briefing
notes available for distribution through United Kingdom Embassies
on the London 2012 Olympic Bid.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth
Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean): The
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has supported the following
sporting projects and initiatives through its missions abroad
since 2001:
Title of project
| Amount | Post
| |
| | |
|
2001 | | |
|
| | |
|
Football equipment for disadvantaged young people
| £3,175 | Abidjan |
|
Cricket in Suva | £3,000
| Suva | |
Athletics coaching in Grenada | £2,285
| St George's | |
The High Commissioners rugby sevens | £ 800
| Kampala | |
Football coaching in Grenada | £2,635
| St George's | |
Sponsorship of FA Cup Final on Ivorian TV |
£ 100 | Abidjan |
|
Sports Medicine Specialist | £6,000
| Honiara | |
Great North Run in Ethiopia | £5,000
| Addis Ababa | |
British books for coaching resource centre |
£ 550 | Valetta |
|
Cricket equipment for Ivorian Schools | £1,643
| Abidjan | |
2002 | |
| |
| | |
|
Rugby Workshop | £2,000
| Montevideo | |
Youth football training | £2,500
| Doha | |
Botswana athletics training | £1,716
| Gaborone | |
KAYEC youth cricket | £5,310
| Windhoek | |
Snooker in Cambodia | £3,500
| Phnom Penh | |
Great Ethiopian Run | £5,000
| Addis Ababa | |
Boxing in Suva | £4,416
| Suva | |
Football project, Cuba | £1,000
| Havana | |
Baseball Project, Cuba | £1,248
| Havana | |
Rugby development in St Vincent | £5,000
| Kingstown | |
2003 | |
| |
| | |
|
Great Ethiopian Run | £10,000
| Addis Ababa | |
Promoting Cricket in Belize | £8,000
| Belmopan | |
Inclusion through Sport Seminar and British Finnish Youth
| | | |
| Web Forum | £5,000
| Helsinki |
UK/Caribbean Sporting Partnerships | £150,000
| Caribbean | |
Football in the Community | £7,310
| Prague | |
Zimbabwe Goals for Fun | £3,000
| Harare | |
2004 | |
| |
| | |
|
Football United Iraq | £250,000
| Baghdad | |
Moscow Inclusion Through Sport | £55,240
| Moscow | |
International Football Task Force for Afghanistan
| £39,000 | Kabul |
|
Don't Mention the ScoreBuilding British/German Links
| | | |
| through Sport | £22,500
| Berlin |
The FCO created a dedicated sports budget in 2001, subsequently
subsumed into its public diplomacy challenge fund. No central
records of FCO-sponsored sporting projects are held for the period
before 2001. In addition, missions overseas may have funded further
projects since 2001 for which records are also not held centrally;
obtaining details of these would incur disproportionate cost.
UK missions have not yet distributed any London 2012 briefing
notes overseas, since this would be in contravention of the International
Olympic Committee (IOC) rules on promotion outside the territory
of the bidding city. These rules have restricted what we can do
before the IOC accepts London's candidature file. My honourable
friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the FCO (Bill
Rammell) will now be co-ordinating the lobbying efforts of FCO
missions overseas as well as other existing FCO support to the
London bid. Posts have already received briefing on what activities
they may undertake when the overseas promotion rules are relaxed
and I will arrange for a copy of this to be placed in the Library
of the House.
Annex 2
From the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
27 September 2004
Dear Ambassador,
PROMOTING THE LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC BID
As you may be aware, the International Olympic Committee
(IOC) will permit "international promotion" of the bids,
once each city has submitted its candidature file. To help you
take full advantage of this relaxation in the rules, I attach
a number of papers that will be of use to you in determining your
local strategy.
As a first step, you should be clear about what the IOC rules
are and how they will affect what you are able to do. Contrary
to initial interpretations, the IOC has recently announced that
international promotion of the bid will only be permitted once
the IOC has accepted London's candidature filethis is expected
to be on the 19 November. The other key point to note is that
whilst international promotion is permitted, the IOC have made
it clear that representatives of bidding cities are still banned
from meeting IOC members to specifically discuss the bid. To avoid
any potential embarrassment, we have consulted with DCMS, London
2012 and British Olympic Association lawyers to clarify what Posts
are permitted to do under the IOC rules of conduct. A paper outlining
the agreed interpretation is attached (at annex A). Should you
have any particular queries or concerns over planned activities,
please contact David Muir in PDPD for clarification.
Even within these constraints, there is still much that you
can do to support the bid. To give a flavour of what kind of activity
could be undertaken, I attach a paper prepared by PDPD for your
consideration (at annex B). With this increase in London 2012
work, I would also ask that you appoint a dedicated representative
to act as the primary desk contact with PDPD on day to day London
2012 business and to develop a plan of related activity between
November and July. Once finalised I would be grateful if you would
forward your agreed plan to David.Muir@fco.gov.uk, by 28 October,
so that we can build up a picture of what activities are being
planned.
When developing your plans, you should consider London 2012's
target audience. They assess that your primary audience will be
the 118 IOC members, list attached (at Annex C), who are eligible
to cast a vote at the 117th Session in Singapore. These members
will ultimately determine which city will win the right to host
the Games through a series of secret ballots. Secondary targets
include sports influencers, such as members of National Olympic
Councils and International Sporting Federations, and in some cases
Government officials, who you consider have influence with IOC
members. We also need to focus activities on the general public.
Whilst the general public do not have a direct influence over
voting intentions, we still need to use our PPAO network to develop
a general public awareness campaign. A groundswell of public opinion
may indirectly influence IOC members, and we need to demonstrate
that the bid has full backing of the Government.
To help you in achieving this objective, PDPD holds a small
budget that you can bid to support the costs of 2012 related activity.
However, we do look to Posts to primarily use events that are
already planned and budgeted for to help promote the bid. As a
general rule, funding (up to a maximum of £1,000 per Post)
would be considered to help meet the costs associated with a function
to which an IOC member would attend. Funds would not be available
to cover costs associated with public awareness campaigns. If
you require funding, please write a short note outlining the benefits
of the event to andrew.scattergood@fco.gov.uk.
I also attach an updated one-page briefing note on the bid
(annex D), along with a more detailed general background brief
(annex B). London 2012 can also provide background briefing on
the majority of IOC members should you be meeting with them. Please
contact David.Muir@fco.gov.uk if you need any further information.
To summarise, I attach:
Annex BHow you can help promote the bid.
Annex DOne page briefing/lines to take.
Annex BLondon 2012 Background Brief.
Once received from London 2012 we will also forward to you
promotional material for your use.
For Madrid, Moscow, Paris and New York. We will shortly be
sending specific guidance on what is required of you after further
consultation with London 2012. In the meantime we would still
welcome any reporting you can offer but you should not carry out
any promotional activity.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you
for all the background information you have sent on IOC members
and other bidding cities, and I look forward to working with you
over the coming months.
Yours sincerely
Bill Rammell
[agreed by the Minister and signed in his absence by the Asst.
Private Secretary]
Annex A
GUIDELINES FOR OVERSEAS CONTACT WITH IOC MEMBERS AND RELATED
OLYMPIC PARTIES
As you will be aware, the IOC have placed strict rules on
the international promotion of bids. By definition Government
officials are classed as representatives of the bid and are thus
bound by the Rules of Conduct. These rules will be relaxed after
the Candidate File has been accepted on 19 November 2004. International
promotion of the bid is then permitted. However, certain restrictions
will remain in place regarding contact with IOC members.
CONTACT WITH
IOC MEMBERS AND
PROTOCOL FOR
INVITATIONS
1. No contact should be made with any International Olympic
Committee (IOC) member for the specific purpose of promoting the
London 2012 Bid.
2. Any contact with IOC members should be made in the
name of the initiating party not in the name of London 2012.
3. Invitations to receptions or events should not make
any reference to London 2012.
4. IOC members may be invited to related sporting functions,
such as a reception held to honour UK sport, sporting visits etc
in their capacity as an IOC member (see also paragraph 9). Within
the confines of normal conversation, it may be possible to discuss
the bid.
5. Invitations may be extended to IOC members to attend
QBPs and similar events in their general capacity as dignitaries
and opinion leaders within their own countries. Within the confines
of normal conversation, it may be possible to discuss the bid.
6. At any function or event attended by IOC members,
there should be no display of London 2012 promotional material
within the area to be used for entertainment.
7. Specific London 2012 material should not be sent to
IOC members. However, they may be sent general material such as
the proposed FCO publication on sport (to follow).
8. Where there are already established relationships
with IOC members, these relationships should continue and should
be actively pursued. However, regardless of the past relationship,
compliance with paragraphs 1-7 above must be maintained throughout
the bidding process.
RECEPTIONS/MEETINGS
9. Bidding cities should refrain from taking advantage
of international events to specifically promote the bid. You should
not organise London 2012 receptions or meetings around such events.
However, in such cases it would be in order to host a reception
in honour of visiting UK dignitaries provided that there was no
overt promotion of the bid.
10. International Federation (IF) Presidents and General
Secretaries (where applicable) and National Olympic Committee
(NOC) Presidents and General Secretaries, Presidents and General
Secretaries of other Olympic Associations (where applicable) respected
sports journalists and local sports celebrities may be invited,
without restriction, to events and functions.
11. In the course of general receptions to which IOC
members do not attend, we can overtly promote the London 2012
bid. For example, we can have London 2012 promotional materials
on show and make references to the bid in speeches. However, PDPD
question the value of such events (see guidance).
12. Meetings can also be held with Government and other
influential sports officials to discuss the bid. However, any
such meeting is only worthwhile if the IOC member is in contact
with these officials. Further briefing will follow from PDPD.
GIFTS AND
BENEFITS
13. Under no circumstances should gifts be given to IOC
members. Gifts, in this context, have been defined as anything
of value.
14. No form of benefit should be provided to IOC members
or related Olympic parties. If a situation occurs when an IOC
member or related Olympic party is a potential recipient of some
form of benefit as a result of general diplomatic activity, it
is essential that PDPD are made aware so that the issue can be
reviewed to ensure strict IOC ethics compliance.
COMMUNICATIONS AND
DISPLAYS
15. Displays and visual aids (posters, video broadcasts)
promoting London 2012 are permitted within the Mission. This material
does not need to be taken down if an IOC member visits. However,
please see paragraph 5 in connection with entertainment.
16. Information on London 2012 may be held and distributed
in response to specific inquiries from interested individuals.
Should you be approached by IOC members for information please
contact PDPD who will liaise with London 2012. Similarly any approaches
to Paris, New York, Moscow or Madrid by rival bid city organising
committees should be referred to PDPD.
17. There is no restriction on the organised distribution
of publicity materials and press releases. However, no distribution
should be made to IOC members.
18. Linking of London 2012 website details and placement
of London 2012 material to Post websites is permitted.
GENERAL
19. All comments should focus on the London 2012 Bid
and its merits. Direct comparison with other Bids should not be
made.
20. London 2012 respects each of the cities bidding for
the Olympic Games. All cities are held in high regard. Under no
circumstances should any negative comment be made about any host
city or the nation the city represents.
Should you require clarification or expansion on any particular
point please contact David.Muir@fco.gov.uk
Agreed: PDPD, London 2012, DCMS, BOASeptember 2004
Annex B
LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC BIDHOW YOU CAN HELP PROMOTE
THE BID
Posts are asked to nominate one dedicated representative
to act as the primary desk contact with PDPD on London 2012 matters.
This person should consider an appropriate London 2012 programme
of activity and send it to PDPD by 28 October. One size will not
fit all but listed below are a few ideas for consideration.
Activities with IOC members
1. There are still restrictions on meeting IOC members
to promote the bid. (See Annex A for details.) However, the most
important activity is still to get alongside your individual IOC
members. We need to develop these relationships to their full
potential, whilst not overloading the IOC member. I attach a quote
from London 2012:
What we need from Posts is that they create a positive
environment based on Govt commitment [to the bid], a love of sport
and a commitment to the ideals of the Olympic Movement. They can
talk about the bid in the general sense. One final point I would
make is that this is a case where "less is more". We
will get more out of a reception where an IOC member has an enjoyable
evening that benefits him or her, than we will out of a heavy
sell.
2. We therefore hope that you will invite IOC members
to all large scale functions, consider them when compiling guest
lists for more selected events, and consider whether you can meet
them in the course of normal Embassy business. A vast number have
outside interests (public roles, business interests) on which
you can base invitations. PDPD can provide advice on this and
details on an individual member, please let us know.
3. We ask that you give particular consideration to the
international sporting events in, and Ministerial and other high
profile visits to, your country. We believe Posts staging events
around sporting occasions, where there is a UK presence, is an
ideal way to promote UK sport and through it, the bid, to IOC
members and other important sporting dignitaries. You may also
consider inviting IOC members and sports representatives to any
receptions that you are planning in honour of a Ministerial visit,
and brief the Minister accordingly. You can also set up other
events, such as a London themed reception, and invite IOC members
amongst others. There are limited funds available in PDPD if you
are planning to set up a lunch or a reception at which an IOC
member will attend. There can be no London 2012 promotional material
at such events.
4. Within the confines of normal conversation, you are
free to raise the issue of the bid with IOC members. How long
the discussion lasts depends on the interests of the individual
IOC member. We do not see these meetings as detailed briefing
exercises. They are opportunities to register the importance the
Government attaches a bid. If the IOC member is interested in
the bid, you are free to discuss it at length. If on the other
hand, the IOC member does not want to discuss the bid, we are
advised that they will make that very clear. If you are due to
meet an IOC member, please contact PDPD who will be able to provide
personality briefing, enabling you to pitch your conversation
accordingly. PDPD would be grateful for a readout of any such
meetings. Annex B
5. The FCO are currently producing a booklet outlining
the merits of UK sport. We aim to publish it in December. It will
be sent to Posts for distribution to the relevant IOC members
and other sporting/Government bodies (see below).
6. We still need any additional background information
you can gather on your IOC members, and any reports on London's
bid from local media sources. If you are aware of any inward visits
by your IOC member(s) please let PDPD know.
Activities with host Governments, Sports bodies etc
7. You are permitted to host a London 2012 reception
as long as no IOC members attend, and it is not related to an
international sporting event. However, considering the limited
resources both centrally and at Posts we do not consider there
would be merit in organising such events if they did not involve
IOC members.
8. If you believe they can influence the IOC members,
you should arrange meetings to discuss the bid with relevant Government
officials and other sporting federations. We understand that some
Posts are already aware of officials that have an influence over
IOC members. In addition, a paper outlining London 2012's thoughts
on this will be sent separately to relevant Posts. One idea is
to use the forthcoming publication on the merits of UK sport as
an opportunity to set up such a meeting.
9. Take advantage of Ministerial visits considering,
at an early stage, whether there is any scope for calls on relevant
officials. Invite Government officials and IOC members to Ministerial
receptions, lunches etc. Please discuss this with PDPD.
10. When arranging inward visit programmes consider whether
the visitor would benefit from a meeting with London 2012. This
would be particularly relevant to visits by Sports Ministers or
visits focusing on regeneration, environment, transport and infrastructure
issues. Please discuss this with PDPD. We would also welcome details
of any inward visits by high level dignitaries who are associated
with the bid either through Government or relevant organisations.
11. Forward London 2012's campaign publication to these
organisations.
General awareness campaign
12. This could include:
Placing articles in local media through PPAO
contacts.
Increasing content on Post websites (we can
provide articles). Link to London 2012 website (if not already
done).
Display of banners, posters and promotional
items in public areas.
Distribution of booklets and promotional items
to relevant sporting organisations and Government offices.
13. We will also be forwarding to you under separate
cover London 2012 promotional items. These will include "Leap
for London" posters and postcards, London 2012 lapel pins/pens/car
stickers, and copies of London 2012's most recent promotional
booklet for distribution. On request, we can provide a short video
(which can be shown on a loop) promoting London 2012 for use in
reception areas.
London 2012
14. Notwithstanding diary commitments, arrange for Heads
of Mission to meet with London 2012 officials when they visit.
London 2012 may also have one-off requests for information that
we need to respond to.
Briefing
15. Officials should draw upon the attached briefing
(at Annexes D and E) when discussing the bid. As you will note,
it now contains detailed facts and figures on all elements of
the bid and should help you answer any query that is raised.
16. In addition, London 2012 can also provide tailored
briefing on the majority of IOC members if you are due to meet
with them. This will cover IOC member's specific interests and
concerns. Please contact David.Muir@fco.gov.uk
PDPDSeptember 2004
Annex C
Country | IOC Members
| Post |
| | |
Algeria | Mustapha Larfaoui
| Algiers |
Argentina | Antonio Rodriquez
| Buenos Airies |
Australia | John D Coates |
Canberra |
| Phillip W Coles |
|
| Richard K Gosper |
|
| Susie O'Neill |
|
Austria | Leo Wallner | Vienna
|
Barbados | Austin L Sealy |
Bridgetown |
Belgium | Jacques Rogge |
Brussels |
Brazil | Jean M F G Havelange
| Brasilia |
| Carlos A Nuzman |
|
Bulgaria | Ivan Slakov |
Sofia |
Cameroon | Issa Hayatou |
Yaounde |
Canada | Richard W Pound |
Ottawa |
China | Zhenliang He | Beijing
|
| Zaiqing Yu |
|
Columbia | Fidel Mendoza Carrasquilla
| Bogota |
Croatia | Antun Vrdoljak |
Zagreb |
Cuba | Reynaldo Gonzalez Lopez
| Havana |
Cyprus | Kikis N Lazarides |
Nicosia |
Czech Republic | Jan Zelezny
| Prague |
Denmark | Kai Holm | Copenhagen
|
Dominica | Rogue N Munoz Pena
| Barbados |
Egypt | Mounir Sabet | Cairo
|
| Rania Amr Elwani |
|
Fiji | Robin E Mitchell |
Suva |
Finland | Peter Talberg |
Helsinki |
| Jari Kurri |
|
France | Guy Drut | Paris
|
| Jean-Claude Killy |
|
| Henri Serandour |
|
Germany | Thomas Bach | Berlin
|
| Walther Troger |
|
Greece | Nikos Filaretos |
Athens |
| Lambis V Nikolaou |
|
Guatemala | Willi Kaltschmitt Lujan
| Guatamala City |
Guinea | Alpha I Diallo |
Conakry |
Hong Kong | Timothy TT Fok |
CG Hong Kong/Beijing |
Hungary | Tamas Ajan | Budapest
|
| Pal Scmitt |
|
India | Randhir Singh | New Delhi
|
Iran | Seyed Mostafa Hashemi Taba
| Tehran |
Ireland | Patrick S J Hickey
| Dublin |
Israel | Alex Gilady | Tel Aviv
|
Italy | Franco Carraro |
Rome |
| Ottavio Cinquanta | Rome
|
| Manuela Di Centa |
|
| Mario Pescante |
|
Ivory Coast | Lassana Palenfo
| Abidjan |
Japan | Chiharu Igaya | Tokyo
|
| Shun-ichiro Okano |
|
Kenya | Kipchoge Keino |
Nairobi |
Korea (South) | Un Yong Kim
| Seoul |
| Kun H Lee |
|
| Yong S Park |
|
Korea (North) | Ung Chang |
Pyongyang |
Kuwait | Ahamd Al-Fal-Sabah
| Kuwait |
Lebanon | Toni Khoury | Beirut
|
Liechtenstien | La Princesse Nora de Liechtenstien
| Berne |
Luxembourg | Le Grand Duc de Luxembourg
| Luxembourg |
Mauritius | Rampaul Ruhee |
Port Louis |
Mexico | Olegario Varquez Rana
| Mexico City |
| Mario Varquez Rana |
|
Monaco | Prince Hereditaire Albert
| Marseille |
Mongolia | Shagdarjav Magvan
| Ulaanbaatar |
Morocco | Nawal EL Moutawakel
| Rabat |
| Micham El Guerrouj |
|
Namibia | Frank Fredericks |
Windhoek |
Netherlands | Els Van Breda Vriesman
| The Hague |
| Anton J Geesnik |
|
| Le Prince d'Orange |
|
| Hein Verbruggen |
|
New Zealand | Tennant E Wilson
| Wellington |
Nigeria | Henry E O Adefope
| Abua |
Norway | Gerhard Heiberg |
Oslo |
| Adne Sondral |
|
Pakistan | Shadid Ali | Islamabad
|
Panama | Meliton Sanchez Rivas
| Panama City |
Peru | Ivan Dibos | Lima
|
Phillippines | Francisco J Elizalde
| Manila |
Poland | Irena Szewinska |
Warsaw |
Portugal | Fernando F L Bello
| Lisbon |
Puerto Rica | Richard L Carrion
| Washington |
Qatar | Tamin B H Al-Thani |
Doha |
Russia | Alexander Popov |
Moscow |
| Vitaly Smirnov |
|
| Shamil Tarpischev |
|
Saudi Arabia | Nawaf FF Abdulaziz
| Riyadh |
Senegal | Lamine Diack |
Dakar |
| Youssoupha Ndiaye |
|
Singapore | Ser Ng | Singapore
|
South Africa | Sam Ramsamy |
Pretoria |
Spain | I'Infante Dona Pilar de Borbon
| Madrid |
| Juan A Sammaranch |
|
Sweden | Gunilla Lindberg |
Stockholm |
| Arne Ljunqvist |
|
| Pernilla Wiberg |
|
Switzerland | Joseph Blatter
| Berne |
| Rene Fasel |
|
| Marc Holder |
|
| Gian-Franco Kasper |
|
| Denis Oswald |
|
Syria | Samih Moudallal |
Damascus |
Taiwan | Ching-Kuo Wu | Taipei
|
Thailand | Nat Indrapana |
Bangkok |
Togo | Anani Matthia | Accra
|
Tunisia | Mohamed Mzali |
Tunis |
Uganda | Francis W Nyangweso
| Kampala |
Ukraine | Valeriy Borzov |
Kiev |
| Sergey Bubka |
|
United States | Robert Ctvrtlik
| Washington |
| Anita L Defrantz |
|
| James L Easton |
|
Uruguay | Jolio C Maglione |
Montevideo |
Yugoslavia | Borislav Stankovic
| Belgrade |
Zambia | Patrick S Chamunda
| Lusaka |
IOC Websiteas at September 2004
Annex D
LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC
BID
Objective
Officials should not overtly lobby IOC members for the London
2012 bid. But if the subject can be brought up in conversation,
it would be appropriate to indicate the strength of support for
the bid from the Government, and to highlight its merits. Negative
comments on other bid cities, overt lobbying or gifts to JOC members
are all completely prohibited.
Background
London is one of five cities, along with Madrid, Moscow,
New York and Paris, shortlisted by the IOC to host the 2012 Summer
Olympics. The vote on Host City will be taken at the 117th IOC
Session to be held in Singapore on 6 July 2005.
Key Messages
Government Support for bid: The London
bid has the full and unequivocal support of Government as shown
by the Prime Minister's video address in support of London's presentation
to the IOC in Athens.
Public Support: London 2012 July poll figures
show National support at 68%, London at 74% and for under 30s
at 75%. London 2012 actively working on increasing public awareness.
Transport: London has one of the most extensive
transport systems in the world. It currently moves 20 million
people round per day (figures by TFL). By 2012 the Olympic Park
will be served by 10 rail routes with a total capacity of 240,000
passengers per hour and, the Channel Tunnel Rail Link will open
in 2007 which will allow for a special seven minute shuttle between
Central London and the Olympic Village.
We can deliver: The UK has an impressive
track record in hosting world class events such as the London
Marathon, Champions League football and Wimbledon, giving us the
experience of crowd control, security and transport to venues.
In addition, the UK hosted in 2002 the largest Commonwealth Games
ever with 17 sports and 5,900 officials and athletes as well as
running the successful 2003 World Indoor Athletics Championships
in Birmingham.
Spread of venues: Over half of the proposed
venues already built. IOC commended L2012 on concept of main Olympic
Park. 17 of the 28 sports within 15 minutes of the Athlete's village.
Will also celebrate the biggest sporting festival on earth in
world-famous places; Wembley, Wimbledon, Lord's, Hyde Park, Greenwich
Park and Regent's Park.
Welcome: the world to a city which offers
something for everyone. A culturally diverse city with approximately
200 nationalities and 300 languages spoken. Unrivalled culture
and entertainment. A beacon for youth.
Transform: the lives of many in the UK.
A new 500 acre park, rich with sports facilities. 200 acres of
which will be the largest urban park to be developed in Europe
in the last 200 years. Thousands of new homes and 10,000 new jobs
Security: The UK has unparalleled experience
and expertise in pro-active multi-agency policing. The Metropolitan
Police Service in particular has an international reputation for
handling major public events. A reputation which has been underlined
by key involvement in the Olympic Security Advisory Group which
developed a successful security plan for the 2004 Athens Games.
Passion: As a nation we are mad about sport.
This was evidenced by the recent high levels of support for Team
GB at the Athens Games both through attendance on the ground and
high levels of TV audience participation back home.
PDPD/London 2012September 2004
Annex E
LONDON'S 2012 BID: BACKGROUND BRIEF (FOR POSTS)
COMPETITOR CITIES
AND TIMELINES
Following assessment of the questionnaires submitted on 15
January 2004, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced
on 18 May 2004 those cities that will go through to the next stage
(Phase II). Those successful were London, Madrid, Moscow, New
York and Paris. These cities will now be required to complete
a candidate file in time for submission to the IOC by 15 November
2004. The IOC Evaluation Commission will visit each candidate
city during February and March 2005 with the election of Host
City being taken at the IOC session in Singapore on 6 July 2005.
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
FOR LONDON
BID
The bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games
in London enjoys the full support of the UK Government, and was
announced on 15 May 2003, following agreement at a meeting of
the full Cabinet.
The Government's announcement to back the London 2012 bid
followed a thorough analysis with the key stakeholders, the Greater
London Authority (GLA) and the British Olympic Association (BOA),
of the costs, risks and benefits of bidding for and staging the
Games in London in 2012.
LONDON 2012 AND
BID PROGRESS
Evaluation by the IOC had placed London third behind Paris
and Madrid when Candidate Cities were announced. Since then London
2012 has worked hard to dispel alleged weaknesses of their bid,
these included a perceived lack of public support, transport plans
and spread of venues. Presentations to the IOC both in Doha and
Athens were well received and have helped get the message across
and boost London's bid. The Prime Minister's presence during the
Athens Games, where he demonstrated the strength of Government
support for the bid, struck a chord with those who matter. Around
the Rings (a prominent American website) has now assessed London
as being a front runner ahead of both Paris and Madrid.
COSTS AND
FUNDING
In addition to private sources of funding:
The Government and the Mayor have agreed a funding
package of up to £2.375 billion to help meet the costs of
staging an Olympics in London in 2012, including support for elite
sport and associated sports investments.
The first £2.050 billion of the funding package
will be met from up to £1.5 billion from the lottery and
up to £550 million from London Council Tax.
Beyond £2.050 billion provision has been
made for a further contribution of £75 million from London
Council Tax and then £250 million from the London Development
Agency.
The Government has also given the go-ahead for
investment of an additional £3 billion on transport which
will help secure a number of schemes that will help transport
people to the London Games.
TECHNICAL FEATURES
Olympic Ideal
Sport comes first. The entire plan is driven by
the needs of individual athletes, National Olympic Committees
(NOC), International Federations (IF) and the IOC. The special
requirements of athletes competing in the Paralympic Games are
an integral part of London 2012's planning.
As a nation we are mad about sport. This was manifested
by the recent high levels of support for Team GB at the Athens
Games both through attendance on the ground and high levels of
TV audience participation.
Venues and Infrastructure
17 of the 28 sports (60%) will be within 15 minutes
travel time from the Olympic Village.
Sports facilities will be clustered in three zones:
The Central Zone: venues such as Lords, the Royal
Parks, Horse Guards Parade, Wimbledon; This use of world famous
landmark sites will bring the Games to instantly recognisable
parts of the city centre and will take the Games throughout London.
The Olympic Park: a 200-hectare Olympic Park will
house the Olympic Stadium, the Olympic Village, the Aquatics Centre,
the Velodrome and BMX track, three sports halls and the hockey
stadium. This will result in over 40% of athletes competing just
five minutes from the Olympic Village.
The River Zone: facilities just to the south of the
Olympic Park (such as The Dome and Excel Centre).
The Olympic Village will offer new, high quality,
spacious accommodations and will provide a comfortable, enjoyable,
friendly and secure environment for the athletes and teams.
The Olympic Media Centre and the Olympic Broadcast
Centre will be located right in the Olympic Park next to the Olympic
Stadium and the Aquatics venue and will be within minutes of 17
other Olympic Park venues.
Transport
London's transport will be safe and secure and will provide
multiple routes to move athletes, spectators and the Olympic family
and officials while at the same time keeping London and its businesses
functioning. Overall:
50% of athletes will be just five minutes from
their venues and 75% less than 15 minutes away
Athletes, Media and Olympic officials and family
will have dedicated road fleets travelling to and from venues,
training facilities, village and media centre.
There will be specific high-speed routes and feeders,
dedicated Olympic lanes, parking controls and 24 hour, seven days
a-week traffic management systems in place.
Olympic Games traffic will add only 5% to London's
average transport demand. However, overall demand falls by 20%
in August.
Air
London is the best connected international city in the world:
4,307 incoming international flights per week
to London Heathrow
1,589 incoming international flights per week
to London Gatwick
1,321 incoming international flights per week
to London Stanstead
160 international destinations from London Heathrow
Ground
London's transport systems handle around 20 million journeys
a day. Nearly 11 million of these are made using London's public
transport network. Of these: six million are bus journeys, three
million tube journeys and 1.8 million train journeys
London's Traffic Control Centre manages the road network
24 hours a day seven days a week through the use of 4,800 traffic
signals, 580 km of red routes, 250 km of bus lanes and the Central
London congestion charge zone
Rail
All venues will be accessible by rail. It is anticipated
that 80% of spectators will travel by rail.
10 lines will feed the Olympic Park with a total
capacity of 240,000 passengers per hour. Nine of these lines already
exist.
Even now one 200 trains an hour go into Stratford
regional station and West Ham during peak periods. By 2012 there
will be a train every 15 seconds serving the Olympic Park (240
trains an hour).
Using a special Olympic shuttle on the Channel
Tunnel rail Link (CTRL) it will take just seven minutes from the
heart of London to the Olympic Village.
Existing Eurostar links will open up ground transport
links with Northern Europe being only two hours from the Olympic
Park.
Government investment of an additional £3
billion to extend the East London Line and increase capacity on
the Docklands Light Railway.
Environment
Enhancing the environment and promoting sustainability are
central planks of the London 2012 bid. Working under the umbrella
of Towards a One Planet Olympics, London 2012 is highlighting
four sustainability goals in its bid:
A Low Carbon Games to highlight the Global issue
of Climate Change.
A Zero Waste Games to ensure all Olympic waste
is treated as a resource and diverted away from landfill into
reuse and recycling projects.
Increasing Bio-diversityexemplary restoration
of rivers and wetlands to create one of the largest urban parks
in Europe in over 200 years; making a sustainable place for people
and wildlife to flourish.
Promoting environmental awareness and partnerships
for sustainable development.
London is committed to providing an environmental structure
that will set new standards for sustainable development in the
community by improving health, environment and the quality of
life. In essence, a healthier, accessible environment for allcleaner
air, land and water, more greenery and a safe and a welcoming
landscape will demonstrate the vital link between environment,
sport and health.
Legacy
There will be no white elephantsany facilities
that are not planned or needed after the Games will be built as
temporary structures
500 hectares (1,500 acres) of new urban parklandone
of the biggest created in Europe in decades (from Hackney Marshes
to the Thames)
Six major new sports venues (Athletics Stadium,
Aquatics Centre, Velodrome, Indoor Sports Arena, Hockey Centre,
Canoe Slalom)
9,000 new homes created within the Olympic Park
after the Games (an additional 5,000 new homes created from the
Olympic Village)
10,000 new sustainable jobs after the Games
New schools, healthcare facilities and recreational
areas
Restoration of polluted waterways
Easier access to transport links
New road network within the Lee Valley
New dedicated cycle routes
Safe and easy pedestrian access
New and improved bridges and underpasses enhancing
accessibility.
Accommodation
With over 68,000 three, four and five-star hotel
rooms within 10 km of the city centre, London can amply cope with
the needs of the Olympic family, spectators, the media, broadcasters
and sponsors. The hotel inventory is more than double the IOC's
minimum requirement.
Further 20,000 hotel rooms due to be built by
2012, of which 4,000 are under construction and 16,000 have planning
permission.
Student hostels and halls of residence offer more
than 6,500 rooms
IOC can choose from wide range of world class
hotels close to Hyde Park, central to all venues and immediately
adjacent to evening festivals in Hyde Park.
Security
The UK, and London in particular, has unparalleled
experience and expertise in pro-active multi-agency policing.
The Metropolitan Police Service in particular has an international
reputation for handling major public events. This reputation has
been underlined by its key involvement in the seven nation Olympic
Security Advisory Group which developed a successful security
plan for the 2004 Athens Games.
Crowd management, general policing and other measures
will be developed in line with public safety strategies successfully
used at events such as the Notting Hill Carnival and Queen's Gold
Jubilee celebrations.
Benefits of hosting the games outside of London
A London Olympics in 2012 will benefit the whole country.
It has the potential to inspire greater participation in sport,
increase the medal success of our elite athletes and would leave
a lasting legacy of community facilities across the country. It
would also bring a four year (2008-12) nationwide cultural and
educational programme as part of the Olympic Project.
There will be a lasting legacy for cities and regions across
the UK through the investment from visiting teams from other competing
National Olympic Committees, coming in advance of the Games to
train and acclimatise.
The use of world-class international football stadia in England,
Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales will take the Olympic Games
throughout the UK and will provide the best possible football
venues for athletes culminating in the final in the new Wembley
Stadium.
Links
London 2012http://www.london2012.org.uk
The British Olympic Associationhttp://www.olympics.org.uk
The British Paralympic Associationhttp://www.paralympics.org.uk
The Mayor of Londonhttp://www.london.gov.uk
IOChttp://www.olympic.org/uk/indexuk.asp
September 2004
Annex 3
Letter to the Independent on Sunday from the
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth
Office
2012 BID BY
THE BOOK
Your front page article "London Olympic bid `breaks
rules'" (28 November) was misleading. Your headline was based
on an unnamed source in a rival bid team, relying otherwise on
a further unnamed source claiming our guidance to UK posts overseas
might "sail close to the wind".
Neither is true. You could not find a single source prepared
to put their name to these accusations because they are wholly
false. Our guidance to UK posts was checked thoroughly with lawyers
from London 2012 and the British Olympic Association, and with
the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to ensure it did not
breach International Olympic Committee rules.
Bill Rammell MP
Foreign Office
London SW1
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