November 23 - London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe confidently claimed today that London is ready to cope with the huge volume of transport expected during the Olympic and Paralympics Games next year, though he admitted that there will be major challenges ahead.
Transport issues have been one of the key concerns ahead of next year's Games, with the capital's train network, in particular London Underground, at risk of failing to provide sufficient capacity for spectators travelling between Olympic venues.
It has been suggested that Transport for London (TfL) requires up to a 30 per cent drop in commuters in order to reduce waiting times, whilst there has also been considerable effort to encourage employers to allow and encourage flexible working, possibly from home, during the Games.
Speaking here at Tower Bridge as EDF unveiled its 36 strong team of Olympic and Paralympic Games athlete ambassadors, Coe said London 2012 had two objectives, both inside and outside the venues where the action will be taking place.
"Number one is precision, athletes need to know if I say to them that it is 38 minutes from the village to their venue – because [if they think it is] 45 minutes it means you are eating at the wrong time, you are warming up at the wrong time," he said.
"The second is making sure the city works for people who are not in the Games."
Coe insisted though that the capital was well placed to deal with the extra pressures on its transport network.
"London does this all the time, we had the Tour de France and Wimbledon at the same time this year," he said.
"Of course there will be challenges; London is not designed like a modern European city.
He also added: "I'm not here though to resolve the broader London transport issues which have challenged politicians for 60 years."
By David Gold
Source: www.insidethegames.biz
November 23 - Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson (pictured) has backed the British Olympic Association (BOA) and their chairman Colin Moynihan in their controversial war of words with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as they look to keep their lifetime Olympic ban on drug cheats in place for London 2012.
November 20 - Hackney Community College has been unveiled as the key training location for the London 2012 Games Maker volunteers that will work across the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
There is an additional boost for Hackney Community College as art and design, media and fashion students at the facility are being given the opportunity to create artwork for the Games Maker training venues.
November 3 - David Beckham has signed his third deal to become the face of a sponsor involved in London 2012, joining Tier One Paralympics partner Sainsbury's as an ambassador.
October 19 - The former Rio 2016 marketing team, led by Maggie Sanchez (pictured right with chief executive Leonardo Gryner) who until just days ago was the Organising Committee's chief commercial and marketing director, have shed light on the mysterious circumstances that saw them dismissed from their positions.