London 2012 bidding process

London 2012 bidding process
Title	London 2012 bidding process
Date	2003–2005
Location	London, United Kingdom
Result	Host city selected for the 2012 Summer Olympics

London 2012 bidding process The London 2012 bidding process was the campaign and selection sequence culminating in the awarding of the 2012 Summer Olympics to London. The effort involved interactions among the International Olympic Committee, the British Olympic Association, civic leaders from City of London, national figures from the United Kingdom, rival proposals from Paris, Madrid, New York City, and a procedural framework shaped by former hosts and international sports institutions. The process combined urban regeneration narratives, legacy planning referencing events like the Expo 2000 and the Commonwealth Games.

Background and candidature

The candidature emerged after the United Kingdom reconsidered ambitions following previous bids involving Birmingham and Sheffield and drew on precedents set by Barcelona and Atlanta. Key institutional actors included the British Olympic Association, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London's office, local authorities such as Newham, development agencies like the London Development Agency, and private partners including Westfield Group and Olympic Delivery Authority. Political endorsements came from figures associated with the Labour Party, members of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom, and foreign dignitaries who had witnessed events such as the World Expo and the Euro 1996 stadium programmes. The candidature referenced regeneration models seen in the Docklands transformation and the Millennium Dome project.

Bidding timeline

Initial steps followed a timeline influenced by IOC cycles from meetings in Lausanne and promotional events in Buenos Aires. Formal submission dates aligned with IOC deadlines set at sessions like the one in Prague and the candidature briefings attended in Sydney. The bid launched public phases with ceremonies at venues like Olympia, and policy announcements at 10 Downing Street and City Hall, London. The bid team timed legacy and transport commitments around consultations with Transport for London, infrastructure milestones at King's Cross, and planning approvals involving Tower Hamlets and Hackney councils.

Candidate cities and withdrawal

Initial competitor lists included Paris, Madrid, New York City, Moscow, Rio de Janeiro, and Hiroshima in earlier stages of interest, but formal candidate status narrowed after evaluations in Saint Petersburg and some delegations withdrew following dialogues in Tokyo and Seoul. Final candidate cities competing with London at the IOC session were Paris, Madrid, and New York City. Withdrawals and eliminations reflected strategic calculations by municipal leaders such as the Mayor of Paris, the Mayor of Madrid, and the Mayor of New York City as well as national sporting committees like the Comité National Olympique et Sportif Français and the Comité Olímpico Español.

Evaluation and inspection by the IOC

The IOC Technical Evaluation Commission, chaired by officials who had worked with Juan Antonio Samaranch and advisors from the European Olympic Committees, conducted inspections across proposed venues including the Olympic Park site in Stratford, stadium proposals at Wembley Stadium, aquatics centres proposed near Greenwich, and road network analyses involving M25 and A12 corridors. Delegations of IOC members visited candidate cities, met with planners from the Royal Institute of British Architects, transport engineers from Transport for London, and legacy strategists with experience from Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. Evaluation reports assessed accommodation capacity in zones like Docklands and Westminster and contingency planning with agencies such as the Metropolitan Police Service.

London’s bid strategy and key proponents

London’s strategy foregrounded urban regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley, social inclusion narratives referencing the Big Society notion, and commitments to sustainable design inspired by projects like the BedZED eco-community. Prominent proponents included Sebastian Coe, Tessa Jowell, Ken Livingstone, Mandelson, Peter, senior figures from the British Olympic Association and patrons from institutions such as the National Lottery distributors and corporate backers including Lloyds TSB and Barclays. The bid leaned on cultural endorsements from the BBC, artistic partnerships with the Southbank Centre and the Royal Opera House, and sporting endorsements from legends tied to the Football Association and the British Athletics Federation.

Voting and selection process

The decisive vote took place at the IOC Session in Singapore, where IOC members representing countries like Australia, Canada, Japan, and Brazil cast ballots. The process used exhaustive ballots with rounds eliminating the lowest-scoring city until a majority was achieved, a method seen during previous sessions in Barcelona and Seoul. London secured victory after multiple rounds, leveraging diplomatic outreach to figures such as the President of the IOC and ambassadors posted at embassies including the United States Embassy, London and the French Embassy, London to secure support from representatives of the Comité Olímpico Nacional members.

Controversies and criticisms

The bid attracted scrutiny over issues involving procurement linked to the Olympic Delivery Authority, legacy promises compared to outcomes in places like Athens and Rio de Janeiro, and debates about security measures coordinated with the Metropolitan Police Service and national defence advisers associated with the Ministry of Defence. Critics cited concerns raised by local groups in boroughs such as Newham and Greenwich, press investigations in outlets like The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph, and parliamentary questions tabled by MPs in the House of Commons. Allegations of lobbying practices prompted comparisons with controversies in bids for Beijing 2008 and analyses from international watchdogs including Transparency International.

Category:Olympic bids