Mayor must take stronger lead in supporting London's Olympic bid

12.00.00am GMT Fri 1st Nov 2002

The Mayor should be doing more to promote London as a host for the 2012 Olympics in light of the bid feasibility study published today, said the London Assembly Liberal Democrats.

Welcoming the cost benefit analysis study by Arup, which says the capital would benefit from increases in tourism and inward investment if it hosted the Olympics, Graham Tope, Leader of the Lib Dems, said it was about time the Mayor took a stronger lead in supporting a London bid for the 2012 Olympics.

“London could greatly benefit from hosting the Olympics but the Mayor has so far failed to give serious consideration to this possibility.

“There must be a strategic approach to mounting a bid. However, his draft London Plan only briefly mentions the Olympics. There needs to be more research into the transport, land and environmental issues relating to a bid.

“Any proposed development must be long-term and for the benefit of Londoners, with enough flexibility to meet the needs of an Olympic bid (and not vice versa). For example, the Olympic village could provide thousands of much needed affordable homes for the capital.

"The bid needs the full backing of the BOA and the Government - but its strongest champion should be the Mayor."

"London is a world-class city that has the capability of mounting a successful bid for the Olympics - and hosting an event to remember."