It will be the second of a series of public meetings to be staged around the UK between now and 2012, following the first London 2012: Ask the Team event in Birmingham in June.
The hour-long meeting will take place on 11 October at Stratford Circus Arts Centre in the borough of Newham. On the panel will be Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell, London Organising Committee chairman Seb Coe, Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, new Olympic Delivery Authority chairman John Armitt and Olympic Gold Medallist Tessa Sanderson.
Tessa Jowell said:
“London 2012 is the opportunity of a lifetime for the five host boroughs and local people. But the benefits will not just happen by chance. We need local councils, businesses and residents to go flat-out to seize the moment – but this will require some investment to get it right, especially in time and effort.
“The people of this part of east London will be directly impacted by the Olympic Games and its Legacy. As such, it is only right and fitting that they should have their say and get their questions answered.
“Our first London 2012: Ask the Team in the West Midlands was a huge success: those who attended were certainly not shy in putting forward their views and demonstrated a high level of knowledge about sport and the Olympics. I look forward to coming to Stratford and seeing the same levels of engagement.
“London 2012 will only deliver its vast potential if we all get involved and fully embrace the opportunities the Games provide. I am determined to do all I can to make sure everyone knows what these opportunities are and have the chance to get their questions answered.”
The London 2012: Ask the team event will be hosted by BBC Radio Five Live presenter Nicky Campbell. Places in the audience will be available on a first come, first served basis by visiting www.coievents.co.uk/london2012. For registration questions please call 020 7261 8400. In addition some places will be reserved for groups and individuals with a particular interest in the 2012 Games.
Seb Coe, chair of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) said:
“I welcome this opportunity to listen to the views and answer questions from the people who live on the doorstep of the Games. The Games will bring immeasurable benefits to this area, but there are great challenges staging an event of this scale and we will need to work together to achieve our goals. I am looking forward to sharing with the people of Newham and London the real progress that is being made and talking about our plans for the future.”
Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, said:
“The 2012 Games will offer people across London and the rest of the country a unique chance to enjoy the spectacle of the world's greatest sporting event and the celebrations that will accompany them. This is an important opportunity for Londoners to ask those of us responsible for staging the Games how we will deliver a lasting legacy of benefits for the capital and most importantly how they can become involved in the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
John Armitt took over on 1 September as chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority. He said:
“The size and scale of this project is huge, it is truly a project without precedent. Alongside the world-class sports facilities that will be built, thousands of new homes will be created and transport links and infrastructure will be improved, breathing life into the area and acting as a catalyst for significant social and economic change.
“It is important that we are transparent for the investment that is being made as part of this transformation, updating local people on our progress and listening to their views.
“Although we are in no way complacent about the scale of the challenge that lies ahead of us, we have established strong foundations for the project and are confident we are on track to deliver.”
Tessa Sanderson, who won the Olympic javelin title in 1984 in Los Angeles, said:
“I know from first hand experience the power of the Olympics and Paralympics to inspire young and old to take up sport, with all the benefits to the individual and society that can bring. But it will not happen by magic, so I’m looking forward to this chance to speak to local people to talk about how the Games can benefit them and their community.”
Notes to Editors:
- The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is the body responsible for the preparation and staging of the 2012 Games.
- The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is the public body responsible for ensuring the delivery of the new venues and infrastructure for the Games and the legacy that will follow.
- The London 2012 Nations and Regions Group (NRG), chaired by Charles Allen and supported by LOCOG, provides leadership and strategic direction in ensuring that the whole of the UK is engaged with and benefits from the Games in 2012
- The London 2012: Ask the Team event in Stratford will begin at 19.15 and will run until 20.15.
- There will be limited media access to the event. Press interested in attending should call 020 7211 6145.
