Oral Evidence

3208392001 Page Type [SO] 26-10-06 20:32:01 Pag Table: COENEW PPSysB Unit: PAG1 Scottish Affairs Committee: Evidence Ev 1 Oral evidence Taken before the Scottish Affairs Committee on Tuesday 8 November 2005 Members present: Mr Mohammad Sarwar, in the Chair Danny Alexander Mr Jim McGovern Gordon Banks Mr Angus MacNeil Ms Katy Clark David Mundell Mr Ian Davidson Mr Charles Walker Mr John MacDougall Mr Ben Wallace Memorandum submitted to the Scottish AVairs Committee by the British Olympic Association The British Olympic Association (“BOA”) welcomes the decision of the Scottish AVairs Select Committee to hold an inquiry into the potential benefits for Scotland of the London 2012 Olympic Games. As the National Olympic Committee for the United Kingdom, the BOA believes that Scotland will undoubtedly benefit from the sporting and economic boost that the Games will give to the whole country. London 2012 (of which the BOA is one of the three key stakeholders, with the Government and the Mayor of London) will take the lead in responding to the Committee’s invitation to comment on the detailed points of your inquiry. However we thought we would take this opportunity to very briefly touch on the BOA’s role for your benefit. The BOA is the voice of sport within the London 2012 structure. It is the BOA’s priority to ensure that Team GB delivers its best ever results at the London 2012 Olympic Games and that a sporting legacy is delivered. Indeed a recent strategic framework review agreed a new aim for the BOA—namely to lead the largest and most competitive Team GB to 4th place in the 2012 medal table whilst developing the Olympic movement in the UK. It is important that the United Kingdom continues to come together to send one team, Team GB, to the Olympic Games, rather than having separate teams from the Home Nations. There are two main reasons for this. First, the International Olympic Committee determines the basis upon which we should participate. It is the IOC who has determined that the BOA’s jurisdiction is Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In fact under the Olympic Charter, it is clear that the IOC will only consider granting National Olympic Committee status to “an independent state recognised by the international community”. Therefore the BOA is obliged by the IOC to lead a delegation to the Olympic Games representing the whole of the United Kingdom. Secondly, we strongly believe that by being able to call upon athletes from around the United Kingdom there is, obviously, a greater pool of talent upon which we can draw to ensure that we are fielding the best team possible, so enhancing the United Kingdom’s medal winning prospects. The BOA believes that devolved teams at Olympic level would seriously dilute the limited funding available and the structure of British sport would become increasingly fragmented. It would also result in a small number of collectively qualified athletes and less medals being won collectively by British athletes a the Olympic Games. Whilst we are aware that this particular issue is not one identified in the invitation to make a submission, we thought it would be opportune to address you briefly on this issue as it is often raised. 28 September 2005 Memorandum submitted to the Scottish AVairs Committee by the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games 1. Introduction 1.1 This is a submission by the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG). 1.2 LOCOG is responsible for planning, organising and staging the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and is the successor of London 2012 Ltd, the organisation which led London’s successful bid for the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. 3208392002 Page Type [E] 26-10-06 20:32:01 Pag Table: COENEW PPSysB Unit: PAG1 Ev 2 Scottish Affairs Committee: Evidence 1.3 LOCOG is committed to the delivery of an outstanding Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in London in 2012. This commitment extends to an unprecedented strategy to engage the whole of the United Kingdom in the Games, and to ensuring that, in whatever way possible, we open up the opportunities that hosting the Games bring to all sports, communities, businesses throughout the UK. We believe that the broader representation and involvement of the UK in the Games will not only directly contribute to the Games themselves, but will allow for those benefits to be maximised by all. 2. Delivering the London 2012 Games—Roles and Responsibilities 2.1 LOCOG is responsible for planning, organising and staging the 2012 Games. It will be almost entirely privately financed with an operating budget of £1.5 billion at 2004 prices, drawn from a combination of IOC broadcast rights and The Olympic Partner (TOP) programme, tickets sales, and LOCOG sponsors and licensing. LOCOG will specify the requirements for staging the London Games and will be the central point of contact with the IOC. 2.2 The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) will be created by the London Olympics Bill and will be responsible for ensuring delivery of the venues and infrastructure for the Games. The ODA’s Olympic specific works will be financed from a public funding package of £2.375 billion at out-turn prices and is separate and distinct from the LOCOG budget. 2.3 The Olympic Board will comprise the Olympic Minister, the Mayor of London and the Chairmen of the British Olympic Association and LOCOG. The Board will coordinate the work of LOCOG, Government and the ODA. 3. Background 3.1 It was an early priority for London 2012 to establish a framework to engage the whole of the UK and to deliver the highest levels of public support for the Bid. This needed to be established quickly and with reference to existing structures, without seeking to create a new network from scratch. 3.2 The Nations and Regions Group (NRG) was implemented by the London 2012 bid team as the best vehicle to achieve this. Charles Allen, vice-chairman of London 2012 and CEO of ITV, agreed to act as Chairman. Scottish representation was sought via a request to the First Minister for nominations to serve on the NRG. 3.3 The NRG contributed significantly to raising public awareness and support for the bid across the UK. LOCOG has consulted on the future of this group, and it is clear that there is a commitment to see it continue and evolve into a Group that works together to secure the maximum UK-wide benefits related to 2012 such as preparation camps, tourism, and contracting opportunities. 3.4 The work of the NRG was supported by a wider programme of communications initiatives by London 2012, including media campaigns, visits by London 2012 leadership and ambassadors, the development of education materials for use in schools, and more specific initiatives led by the NRG—the hosting of a UK Opportunities Conference and publication of a brochure highlighting the strength of oVer the whole UK could make to the Olympic Family. 3.5 LOCOG would like to express gratitude for the support and contribution to date of the First Minister; Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport; the Scottish Executive and delivery agencies, including through the establishing of a dedicated, high-level working group. 4. Benefits/Opportunities Winning the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games would provide an unparalleled opportunity to contribute to the UK’s sporting, cultural, economic, social and environmental objectives. These benefits and opportunities include: 4.1 Boosting sport—The Games will encourage the acceleration of the delivery of a new world-class sports infrastructure for the UK. As a direct consequence, four arenas and five swimming pools used during the Games will be relocated to other parts of the UK, and all sports equipment used will be given to sports clubs and charities across the UK. The Games is likely to generate unprecedented levels of interest from business and local authorities across the UK that could open up further channels of funding for sport at all levels, and the lead up to the Games could be used by those involved in sport to inspire a new generation. 4.2 Business Opportunities—The Sydney experience showed that New South Wales business won the equivalent of £400 million in contracts, of which over £115 million was for regional companies with 55,000 people receiving employment related training. Companies of all sizes and in a huge range of sectors will be able to seek contracts, and those companies that win business will be well placed to bid for future Olympic and other major event contracts. Estimates suggest 7,000 full-time equivalent jobs will be created in the construction industry and provide opportunities for an enhanced training and skills development programme. 3208392002 Page Type [O] 26-10-06 20:32:01 Pag Table: COENEW PPSysB Unit: PAG1 Scottish Affairs Committee: Evidence Ev 3 4.3 Tourism—Australia recorded an additional 1.6 million visitors spending over £2 billion between 1997 and 2001 and the Sydney convention and exhibition sector saw a 78% increase in international visitors. Through significant exposure to a global TV audience of 4 billion, the UK tourism industry will receive a significant boost—before, during and after 2012. A Working Group to develop a strategy to make the most of these opportunities will be established by stakeholders working with LOCOG. 4.4 Preparation Camps—The Australian experience shows that Queensland—1,000 kilometres from Sydney—hosted 179 teams from 48 countries, including Team GB who spent around £1 million. Around 125 teams from 39 countries undertook pre-Games training across New South Wales injecting the equivalent of £26 million into the State’s economy.

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