Mayor thrilled at London shortlisting
The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone today spoke of the “brilliant news” that London has made the final shortlist of contenders to hold 2012 Olympic Games and said he believed the British capital has what it takes to win.
He said: “This is brilliant news but I’m not at all surprised. Three years ago the whole media was writing this off as a joke that we could ever be a serious bidder and we have really turned it around.
“We have put together an incredibly impressive bid and we have got things that no one else can offer.”
Mr Livingstone said issues such as convenient transport to and from the games, the facility to have top-notch security at the event and the urban regeneration which the games would spark in London could win the hearts of the International Olympic Committee.
He said: “People will not have to travel half an hour outside the city to get to the games.
"The real selling point we have got is our Olympic stadium will be virtually in the centre of the city and the government has already planned that we will run a shuttle service from Kings Cross to Stretford so you can get to the heart of London from the Olympic site in just five minutes.
“And you have got to remember that security is a large plus. We have had 35 years of fighting terrorism and we have got very good at it.
“And the ISC is very keen on sustainability and we are taking the most polluted part of London and cleaning it up and leaving a legacy which will still be there when the Games are over.
“So on all the things that matter to the ISC we have scored very well and we are now probably joint second with Madrid in the running just behind Paris.”
He added that although the four competitors, Paris, Madrid, New York and Moscow are all cities with a strong chance of winning, London has a good chance of sneaking in the back door.
He said: “Very often in the past a clear front runner has not won and someone has come from behind and that is the position we in London are in.
Mr Livingstone added that he is sure added he is sure that the British government will now focus on ensuring enough money is earmarked to prepare the capital for holding the Olympic Games: “We have still got some way to go to overtake Paris and Madrid but what will now focus the government mind is the real prospect of winning this.”
Asked if any countries which had made the shortlist surprised him Mr Livingstone said that most people involved with the bids had banked on Rio de Janeiro being a contender.
“Everyone is amazed about Rio. If you had asked us all to bet our own money on who would not make it we would have said this last and perhaps left Moscow out.
