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Minister: London Olympics on track
Beijing was the last of the 'grand-scale' games, according to London Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell, MP.
- By Alice Johnson, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:02 November 9, 2008
- In terms of our critical path we’re doing extremely well.”Tessa Jowell London Olympics Minister.
- Image Credit: Alice Johnson/Gulf News
Dubai: Beijing was the last of the 'grand-scale' games, according to London Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell, MP.
In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, Jowell said: "I think Beijing is the last of that kind of grand-scale games. If you want the Olympics to be a truly global phenomenon, then you've got to do what London's doing: focus on legacy, focus on the affordability and give hope that in time, African cities, South American cities and Indian cities will be able to afford to host the games."
Jowell continued that the Olympics are an "expression of the soul of the city. The Chinese did it in their own particular way," adding, "we will do it and it will be different. We're not daunted, of course we're challenged and excited, but we're neither overwrought nor daunted by Beijing," she said.
While the 2012 London Olympics are on track, if not ahead of time, in terms of readiness, two projects (broadcast centre and the Olympic village) are currently being re-thought because of the effects of the global finance crisis.
"It [the credit crunch] hasn't forced a substantial rethink, but certainly in relation to two of the projects that were part-funded by equity from the private sector and borrowing supported by that equity, we had to rethink. The amount of equity that we originally expected is not now available, and borrowing is very expensive."
Generous contingency
"We have a very generous contingency, we will use it; it will be of course a last resort or to ease cash flow during these unprecedented and unpredicted times of global downturn," she said.
However, Jowell does not see a less extravagant games as a negative aspect: "Less extravagant doesn't mean less wonderful, less inspiring, less engaging and with less legacy - it means none of those things.
"Yes, it will be less extravagant in terms of the sheer scale. To have built the Bird's Nest in London would have cost £2 million - that's four times what we're spending on our stadium," she said.
Although the credit-crunch is affecting two of the projects, "discipline", Jowell continues, is essential to ensure deadlines are met.
"In terms of our critical path we're doing extremely well, but I won't allow a day or a moment of complacency, so we have to recognise that time is our greatest enemy. It's a risk that costs will rise, so discipline is on time, on cost, on budget. We have to be vigilant about that with every day that passes," she said.
Will the credit crunch have any impact on the London Olympics? How would you define the spirit of Olympics?
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