IOC’s Oswald Heaps Praise on 2012 Preparations/Organisers

The chairman of the London 2012 International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission, Denis Oswald, has lauded the on-going preparations for the Games and its organisers for their ‘fantastic job’.

Oswald, a member of the IOC Executive Board, claimed that everything possible has been done to ensure that there will be no white elephants after the Games, speaking at a press conference following the conclusion of the eighth IOC Coordination Commission.

Oswald stated: “It surprises me when I come to England and read the newspapers and see negative reports about the legacy from the Games.

“Following our visit, I can categorically state London has fantastic legacy plans in place and that legacy is a key part of the 2012 Games.

“No other Olympic host city has ever given as much consideration to legacy as London has and I am sure that there will be no white elephants from these Games which is very pleasing for the IOC to see.

“There is an Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) in place for the first time in the history of the Olympics and I am sure that these will be truly remarkable Games.

“Everything is on track and on budget and we could not be more impressed with what we have seen in our latest visit.”

The Commission is set to return to London on two more occasions before the Games begin and Oswald says the lack of visits illustrates just how advanced the city’s preparations are, adding: “When I was chairman of the Athens 2004 IOC Coordination Commission, I had to visit the city 25 times with just a year to go because preparations were so far behind.

“With a year to go to London 2012, we will come here just two more times and I think that shows you how advanced the preparations are and how confident we are about the London Games.

“I think these visits are very valuable though as we can offer LOCOG important advice and our also our experience but there is no doubt that they are doing a fantastic job and we are very pleased.”