The 2012 Summer Olympic development is a process running from 2005 to 2012, following the successful London bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics. While many of the plans were included in the bid portfolio, which gained the favour of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over the four other bids on 6 July 2005, there were more details released and decisions made afterwards. The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) was created to oversee many of these developments, though such a large-scale event requires the co-operation of many other agencies. These organisations are sometimes integral parts of the London 2012 plans, while others are unrelated but can still have a great effect.

The day after the announcement saw one of the worst terrorist attacks in Britain, as London was struck by four bomb blasts. While the motivation was not linked specifically to the success of the bid it was to have an effect on the development and planning of the event.

Timelines

Since the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia the IOC have developed a “master schedule” to ensure that the planning and development of the Games goes smoothly. Gilbert Felli, the IOC Executive Director for the Olympic Games, explained the master schedule as “a timeline of milestones that need to be met for the Games to be delivered on time.” (25 November 2005). “” at the Official Olympic Games site. Accessed 25 November 2005.(25 November 2005). “” at BBC News. Accessed 25 November 2005. On 24 January 2006 LOCOG released full details of their plan, based partly on the IOC Master Schedule.

As of early 2005 60% of the venues and facilities were in place. The bid needed to detail the time plan for any further construction work that was required, and the London 2012 team came up with a schedule that would see all the facilities ready by 2011.

• Site preparation for the Olympic Park

• Agree a marketing and sponsorship plan
• Complete the designs for a logo
• Finalise the budget
• Complete the review of transport needs

• Construction for the Aquatics Centre begins (end of the year)

• Finalise the marketing and sponsorship plan
• Launch of the official logo & brand

• All building plans should be completed

• Channel Tunnel/Stratford rail link
• Construction of the Velodrome and BMX arena begins (January)
• Construction of the Athletes Village and three western arenas begins (Summer)

• Details of all venue specifications

• Above-ground construction work for all venues should have started

• Construction of the Media Centre and Olympic Stadium begins (Summer)
• Site preparation for the Olympic Park completed
• Completion of the Aquatics Centre and Velopark (end of the year)

• The Millennium Dome is converted into the O2 Arena in order to host the World Gymnastics Championships

• Completion of the western arenas and East London Line extension

• Volunteer Recruitment programme
• Initial testing of events

• Completion of the Olympic Stadium, Athletes Village and Media Centre

• Tickets go on sale

Announcements and developments

Sports

• “” at BBC News.
• Players from England and Northern Ireland will compete together in the team, with the Football Association of Wales (FAW) still deciding on their position.

  (9 February 2006).

  On 15 January 2008, Aldershot Army Base is chosen over Bath and Loughborough universities to be the training camp for the British Olympic team.

Organisation

• “” at the Official Olympic Games site.
• “” at the Official Olympic Games site.
• “” at BBC News.

  (18 November 2005).

  (22 November 2005).

• Mills retains his position of vice-chairman.

  (11 January 2006).

• 17 October 2006: Legacy Trust UK announced as new body to fund legacy cultural and sporting projects
• 18 October 2006: Jack Lemley resigns as chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).
• July 2007: Tessa Jowell appointed Minister for the Olympics, Paralympics and London, and Paymaster General
• July 2007: Jeremy Beeton appointed Director General, Government Olympic Executive
• 1 August 2007: John Armitt takes up post as chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).

Venues and infrastructure

Some plans for 2012 Summer Olympics venues have had to change since the bid was developed.

• “” at BBC News.
• “” at BBC News.

  (4 November 2005).

  (10 November 2005).

  (10 November 2005).

  (15 November 2005).

  (1 December 2005).

  (6 December 2005).

  of sewers. Weaver, Matt (19 January 2006).

• “” at BBC News.

  site in east London. He accused the organisers of failing to move quickly enough to tackle a threat posed by German bombs buried on the Olympic site, among contaminants also thought to include low-level radioactive waste and poisonous metals (5 November, 2006). Sunday Times. Accessed 5 November, 2006.

  On 22 May 2008, construction began on the Olympic Stadium, three months ahead of its original August start date, due to the quicker than expected clearing of the Lea Valley site.

  On 27 May 2008, the IOC completed a three day visit to London to assess the progress of the development. The Committee was pleased with London’s Olympic preparations, awarding the capital a score of 9.75 out of 10. IOC co-ordination commission chairman Denis Oswald stated: “From what we have seen, we are very confident we will have excellent facilities for the Games.”

Financing

The bid team believed that London could end the Games with a surplus of more than £100 million.

The British Government plans to spend £800 million on infrastructure improvements on the Lower Lea Valley. This is not included in the Olympic budget. The total cost of public transport costs relevant to the Games is estimated at £7 billion, but most of these projects would probably have happened in any case, though much later.

In order to protect sources of licensing income, the phrase “London 2012″ has been registered as a trade mark in addition to existing protection for the Olympic symbol and name. Further protective measures are proposed in forthcoming legislation, some of which have been seen as controversial. Trading Standards officers in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets have already seized unauthorised products.

• 28 July 2005: The “Go For Gold” National Lottery scratch card game is launched.
• “” at BBC News.
• “” at BBC News.
• “” at BBC News.
• “” at BBC News.
• “” at BBC News.

  On 15 January 2008, British Members of Parliament vote overwhelmingly to extract £1.1 billion of National Lottery funds to pay for the Olympics.

  On 5 February 2008, British Airways becomes the fourth official sponsor for the games, alongside bank Lloyds TSB, energy company EDF Energy and sportswear manufacturer Adidas.

Ticketing

• “” at BBC News.

Tourism

• “” at London 2012 official site.
• “” at BBC News.

Events and visits

• “” at BBC News.
• “” at BBC News.
• “” at BBC News.
• Tony Blair says that the events will help “create a bond between the two Olympic cities and our two countries”.
• “” at BBC News.

Awards and recognition

• “” at the London 2012 official site.

  (9 November 2005).

• ” at London 2012 official site.
• “” at BBC News.
• ” at London 2012 official site.

Opinions and comments

Fraser, Andrew (19 August 2005).

• “” at BBC News.
• Accessed 17 October 2005.
• Accessed 1 December 2005.
• Accessed 29 August 2007.

See also

• London Olympics
• List of Olympic size swimming pools in the United Kingdom

External links

• London2012.org – the official London 2012 site
• Olympics.org.uk – the official British Olympic Association site
• IOC assessment of current progress (21 April 2006)
• ODA Planning Applications - Public access site for ODA planning applications. (click on associated documents tab for access to detailed pdfs)