New Statesman - Fantasy Mayor 2008

The Olympics

What can be done to keep planning for the Olympics under control?

	We have a tremendous opportunity with the London Olympics and Paralympics to regenerate huge parts of London and we need to ensure that the London council taxpayer won’t pay a penny more than they already do to fund the Games.
	Strong pressure needs to be exerted to ensure the Olympics is not a drain on public resources. We must ensure that the promised environmental benefits apply during construction, games and legacy. We need to make the games zero carbon instead of the low-carbon.
	In the next four years London’s Mayor will have to ensure the city is up to meeting the challenges and taking advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity.
	The 2012 Olympics and Paralympics promised to deliver thousands of new jobs and homes, skills and training and to regenerate East London. Unless the new Mayor is rigorous in overseeing Olympic planning and watching for overspending, Londoners will not benefit from its legacy.