Staging the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in London would bring unparalleled opportunities for thousands of businesses across the United Kingdom, a major conference in London was told. The 'Olympic Opportunities’ conference heard how few events in the world present the business communities of the host city and country with the range of opportunities like those involved in hosting the Olympic Games.
"The development of Olympic Games and Paralympic Games infrastructure and supply of goods and services will provide unique opportunities for businesses ... right around the United Kingdom," said Sebastian Coe, chairman of London 2012. The London bid would also investigate how a London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) may be able to help UK businesses win Games contracts through a tender training programme if the London bid is successful. "We were very keen to show that anyone could tender for Games contracts, large or small," said Coe.
The conference, was endorsed by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and also included presentations from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Tessa Jowell, Sir Steve Redgrave and Jude Kelly OBE, Chair of London 2012’s Culture and Education Advisory Committee. Other speakers included prominent figures from the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, UK Sport and the British Olympic movement and Patricia Ferguson MSP, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport in the Scottish Parliament.
A letter to all delegates from The Prime Minister said that hosting the Olympic Games could bring unparalleled social and economic benefits to the UK. The conference also heard that the staging of the Olympic Games had brought significant economic and other related benefits to former Olympic host cities and communities. The Hon. Sandra Nori, a Minister with the NSW Government in Australia which financed the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games said: "The contracts and procurement opportunities for UK companies are enormous – The experience from Sydney showed that New South Wales business won the equivalent of £400 million in contracts for the Games and Queensland businesses won the equivalent of £150 million worth of Olympic Games related business."
Business opportunities linked to the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games could also span for years, before and after the Games. "The potential for long-term business is significant. My message to the UK is start preparing now as we are working hard to win this bid for the UK," said Coe who also gave a key note address at the conference. Meanwhile, there was also good news for the London 2012 bid from north of the border as Sport Minister Patricia Ferguson said that Scotland stands 'shoulder to shoulder' with London, in its bid to host the Olympic Games in 2012.
Scotland is preparing to take full advantage of sporting, business, tourism and cultural spin offs arising from a successful London 2012 Olympic bid, Ms Ferguson said.
Speaking at the conference about how the UK as a whole can benefit from a London Games, the Minister for Tourism Culture and Sport said: "Scotland stands shoulder to shoulder with London in its bid to host the Olympics in 2012. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to reap the rewards that will flow from the biggest sporting event in the world."
"I believe the Games will provide a gilt-edged opportunity to highlight the unique role and contribution of Scots and Scotland to the heritage and cultural life of the UK."