London 2012 bid

London 2012 bid
Title	London 2012 bid
City	London
Country	United Kingdom
Year	2012
Outcome	Won host selection

London 2012 bid The London 2012 bid was the successful campaign by the city of London and the United Kingdom to host the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Paralympics. The campaign involved stakeholders including the British Olympic Association, the International Olympic Committee, political figures from No. 10 Downing Street and Parliament of the United Kingdom, major sporting bodies such as the International Association of Athletics Federations and the International Paralympic Committee, and planning agencies including the Greater London Authority and the Olympic Delivery Authority. The bid culminated in selection by the IOC Session in Singapore in 2005.

Background and bid process

The bid emerged amid London’s prior bids and hosting experiences, notably the 1908 Summer Olympics and the 1948 Summer Olympics. The process followed the International Olympic Committee candidature phases: application, candidature, and final presentation during the 117th IOC Session. The British Olympic Association coordinated with the Mayor of London's office, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and private partners such as LOCOG-related entities. Technical evaluations by the IOC Evaluation Commission examined proposals for venues, transport links like Transport for London projects, and the proposed use of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park site in Stratford, London near the River Lea and the London Borough of Newham.

Bid campaign and key proponents

The campaign was promoted by high-profile supporters: Sebastian Coe, Tessa Jowell, Ken Livingstone, Tony Blair, and business leaders including figures from Bernard Hogan-Howe's era policing discussions and civic supporters like Lord Coe. Sporting endorsements came from representatives of UK Sport, former athletes such as Daley Thompson, and international allies including members of the United States Olympic Committee and the Australian Olympic Committee. The bid’s presentation to the International Olympic Committee featured speeches referencing landmarks like Buckingham Palace, cultural institutions such as the British Museum and the Royal Opera House, and commitments from broadcasters like the BBC.

Proposed venues and infrastructure plans

The bid concentrated events in an Olympic Park in Stratford with venues planned at the Olympic Stadium, a proposed Aquatics Centre, a Velodrome, and an Eton Manor complex near the Lee Valley. Proposals included using established sites like Wembley Stadium, Earls Court Exhibition Centre, Excel Centre, and temporary facilities in the Docklands and at the The Mall. Transport upgrades included expansions to the London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, and network enhancements around London City Airport and St Pancras International; regeneration projects invoked comparisons to earlier schemes such as the Canary Wharf redevelopment.

Financial planning and legacy commitments

Financial plans involved funding from the Treasury of the United Kingdom, contributions from the Mayor of London's office, and private sector partners such as Olympic Delivery Authority contractors and firms linked to HSBC and Barclays. Budgets addressed stadium construction, operational costs, and security commitments coordinated with Metropolitan Police Service and national security advisers. Legacy commitments included promises for community sport through Sport England, urban regeneration for East London, affordable housing initiatives coordinated with the London Development Agency, and long-term venue use negotiated with institutions like Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park stakeholders.

Evaluation by the IOC and competing bids

The IOC Evaluation Commission compared London's dossier with rival candidates including Paris, Madrid, Moscow, and New York City (which had earlier considered bids). Evaluation criteria included transport capacity at Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport, accommodation across boroughs including Kensington and Chelsea, and environmental measures referencing standards such as those promoted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The final vote at the 117th IOC Session in Singapore pitted London primarily against cities like Paris and Madrid, with lobbying and IOC member engagements shaping the outcome.

Public response and controversies

Public debate involved local authorities in Newham, heritage bodies including English Heritage, and watchdog concerns raised by members of House of Commons committees. Controversies covered projected costs scrutinised by opposition figures in Parliament of the United Kingdom and analyses by media outlets such as The Guardian and The Times. Environmental campaigners and community groups in East London highlighted displacement and housing issues; security plans drew attention after discussions involving the Metropolitan Police and national counterterrorism agencies. Accusations of undue influence and hospitality led to IOC ethics scrutiny and coverage in international outlets like CNN.

Aftermath and impact of winning the 2012 Olympics

After selection, delivery responsibilities passed to the Olympic Delivery Authority and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). The 2012 Games in London produced outcomes affecting transport projects such as High Speed 1 and legacy institutions including the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the VeloPark. Economic analyses by bodies like Office for National Statistics and development evaluations by the London Development Agency examined tourism boosts, employment impacts, and urban regeneration. Sporting legacies involved increased participation tracked by Sport England and facility repurposing agreements with organisations including West Ham United F.C. and cultural programmes with the British Council.

Category:Olympic bids