Two years to go and on
track to success
Today (July 27) marks two years
to go to the opening ceremony of the London Olympics. In Stratford
the physical evidence is there for all to see with the park well
ahead of schedule to be completed in time for the Games - and on
budget.
What you can't see though is the progress being made on
how the Games will actually be run. This is the responsibility of
Seb Coe and his team at LOCOG, whose Board I sit on.
The money to run the Games does not come from the taxpayer and it
has to be privately funded. Much of it has already been raised
through sponsorship. In addition, there is a huge amount of
planning required to make sure the Games run really well and I am
impressed with the professional way this is being done. I am sure
the Games will be a terrific success.
But of course, what we in Newham are interested in is the legacy
which is left after the spectacle of the Games leaves town. There
are three key issues we are facing.
One is the physical development and how we can use the Park after
the Games. The battle to ensure a permanent legacy for local people
has been led by the five Olympic Host Boroughs - (Newham, Tower
Hamlets, Hackney, Waltham Forest and Greenwich). We set up this
organisation, which I chair, to fight for local people. We have
achieved much but there is more to be done and we will keep
fighting for our residents.
Incidentally, one of the most interesting areas to keep your eye
on is the docks round ExCeL, the international exhibition and
conference centre. I think we might see the place blossom into an
area that will be a real pleasure for Newham people to visit.
The second issue is to expand participation in sport and activity.
We believe that when we take part in sport, music, dance and other
activity it enriches our lives. This is particularly important for
young people - participation in some form of activity has a
significant positive benefit to the young person.
We are working hard to promote this through investment in our
sports facilities and our promise to continue offering free swims
to young and old despite the government cutting the money they gave
to this programme. And we continue to provide the largest programme
of free sport and activity in London.
Thirdly, and for me the most important issue, is how to use the
Games to inspire our people. We have 18,000 people who have never
worked. Without a job and an earned income people's lives are
impoverished. We want to use the Games to inspire everyone to try
for more - to work to improve their lives. We want to inspire
people to apply for jobs and we will provide lots of support to
them through our highly successful Workplace programme which has
already helped 4,000 people into work.
During the Games we are going to make sure our people have fun and
we will run events which will make people feel part of their local
communities - getting to know each other in an active and connected
community. That is the Newham we are aiming for.
Sir Robin Wales,
Mayor of Newham