UK Olympics

Or maybe not. Should darts be included in the Olympic Games? asks the Guardian.

Whilst thirteen-times World Darts champion Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor argues strongly in favour, based on the sports popularity around the world there seems to be some way to go before Darts is recognised by the Olympic Comittee.

Former director of coaching for British Athletics, Tom McNab puts forward the case against:

I think the most important point is that for a sport to be considered for the Olympics it must represent a minimum level of physical activity. I know people will say that darts does entail a certain level but then so does marbles. Look at the bellies on these guys; some of them are more like places than people.

The Times reports that chief operating officer of Goldman Sachs Europe, Paul Deighton, will head up the Olympic Games organising committee.

The 458th richest man in the UK, (with £100m of his wealth attributable to his shares in the investment bank) will take up the £300,000 a year position next year.

Lord Coe commented that:

“We selected Paul because of his experience in leading large international organisations and projects and his track record of managing and growing large teams of people in complex and diverse environments.

Although he is not a ‘team sports player’ at this stage, with a sound financial foundation required for the development process, this would seem exactly the correct approach.

A crisis meeting over funding was held to discuss the failure of Gordon Brown to confirm in his Pre Budget announcement what funds would be made available for training athletes in the lead up to the 2012 Olympics.

Simon Clegg, the BOA chief executive commented:

“The sole measurement of the Games won’t be on how efficient the organising committee is, or how beautifully architectured the design of the stadiums are - it’ll be decided on how many British athletes stand on the podium and collect medals.

And unless the BOA knows how much can be spent on training, they can not commit to their aim of reaching 4th in the medal tally in 2012 (compared with 10th in Athens).

Already costs for the 2012 Olympics are looking like they are on the up. Proposals for the new aquatic centre, designed by Architect Zaha Hadid, have doubled in cost, since the hosting proposals.

In a sign, perhaps, that the Government will not stand for over indulgence in this massive construction project, the Olympics minister Tessa Jowell has called for a rethink. In a speech to the Thames Gateway Forum she said:

In our bid we pledged that the centre would cost £75m and that is precisely what it will do, with appropriate allowance for inflation. I cannot give anyone a complete assurance that costs for the 2012 Games will not rise. But what I will do is be absolutely ruthless in ensuring that any potential overspend, no matter how small, is caught early and driven back down wherever possible.

Following the lighting of the Olympic torch in Greece on Sunday, the IOC are in Turin for their final inspection before the Winter games commence on February 10, 2006.

The verdict of the committee is expected later today.

IOC and LOCOG hold seminar on Olympic Games preparation

Orientation seminar sets framework for 2012. London Games vision, values and objectives also announced

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) today announced further details of their partnership over the next seven years.

Speaking at a press conference to highlight the first IOC-LOCOG seminar to inform stakeholders and partners of the challenges and opportunities that come with being a Host City, both organisations stressed the importance of a partnership approach.

The IOC has implemented an approach to managing the Olympic Games that helps Organising Committees learn from their predecessors, from start to finish.

The transfer of knowledge now begins long before the Host City is even elected. The London 2012 Orientation Seminar aims to provide key guidance for the early part of London 2012’s work.

Denis Oswald, Chairman of the IOC Coordination Commission, said: “The IOC has been very impressed with the progress that LOCOG and the UK authorities have made since July 6th.

“There is a real sense of commitment and purpose in the approach being taken and this two-day seminar will help to further strengthen the partnership between the IOC and London 2012.

“The London Orientation Seminar marks an important milestone on the road to 2012.

“It gives the IOC and the London Organising Committee a real opportunity to bring together many of the key players who will be involved over the next seven years and map out the way ahead.

“Delivering an Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is a huge and complex challenge. This event allows the IOC to transfer knowledge, setting London 2012 off on the right course.

“It also provides a forum for us to develop relationships, through London 2012, with all those partners contributing to the Games.”

Sebastian Coe, LOCOG Chairman, said: “To mark the importance of this event we are today publishing the London Organising Committee’s vision, values and objectives, which will guide our work all the way to 2012.

“Our vision is ‘to stage inspirational Olympic Games and Paralympic Games that capture the imagination of young people around the world and leave a lasting legacy.’

“We are determined to deliver on that vision and the promise we made to the IOC on 6th July. We have made an early and positive start and the next two days will be another boost to forging the partnerships we need on the road ahead.”

The Rt Hon Tessa Jowell, Olympics Minister, said: “There is no doubt that we have hit the ground running since London was chosen as Host City for the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. We have made good early progress on every front.

“In the last week I have announced the names of the Chair and Chief Executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority and work is already underway to prepare the site for the Olympic Park.

“We are taking a phased approach, working in close co-operation with the IOC and all our stakeholders and partners, to ensure that we deliver in the right way, on time and on budget.”

Following our report yesterday of the appointment of Jack Lemley to chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority, it was announced last night that David Higgins will become the chief executive of the ODA when it is formed, early in 2006.

Currently heading up a company developing blighted land in the UK, Higgins previously worked in Australia, supervising construction of the Sydney Olympic venues for Australian developer, Lend Lease.

Jack Lemley, ex chief executive of Transmanche-Link the company that built the Channel Tunnel has been appointed chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority.

Tessa Jowell, the Olympics Minister announced his appointment by saying:

“I am delighted to welcome Jack Lemley to the 2012 team. He will bring a wealth of experience to the task of preparing the ground for the biggest sporting event in the world to come to London,”

A chief executive is expected to be announced later this month.

The BBC report on the Queens visit to the 2012 Olympic Park includes an interesting picture of how work is already under way and how the use of coloured airships helped point out areas of interest to the Queen.

The view from the 21st floor of the Holden Point tower block, from where the Olympic Committee had previously viewed the area was described by the Queen as “exciting” and “fascinating”.

Meanwhile Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, is warning that certain venues may need to change because of security issues. He also added:

“Can we reconfigure some of those things so that we can all save money, that we can work with the local and neighbouring developments to integrate it all better?”

Lord Coe has confirmed that discussions are under way, but the consensus seems to be to get the plan right now and then stick with it.

The Queen is today due to pay a 90 minute visit to the site for the 2012 London Olympics. She will be accompanied by Lord Coe for her tour of the Olympic Park site.