Coe on BP
London 2012 Chairman Lord Sebastian Coe said oil giant British Petroleum, one of the biggest London 2012 sponsors currently under fire for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, is "a partner to stay."
Speaking as he left an Executive Board meeting at IOC headquarters in Lausanne on Tuesday, Coe praised BP and its efforts to deal with the environmental disaster, saying they have a "strong record of supporting sports, particularly the arts."
"If I felt uncomfortable about BP or my board felt uncomfortable about BP, they wouldn’t have been sitting at the table in the first place," he told reporters. "I’m delighted they are our partners and they will remain our partners. BP is a world-class company that is dealing openly with a very serious issue. I want them to be able to focus on doing that, but also reassure you that they are a partner to stay."
BP has been a top-tier sponsor of the London Olympics for two years. London 2012 is being promoted as the greenest games of all times.
The oil company has come under intense criticism after the Deep Horizon drilling rig -- which it operated --exploded in April, causing what has since become the largest offshore spill in U.S. history.
Vast areas of the Gulf of Mexico have been blanketed by gallons of crude oil spewing into the ocean for weeks. BP has committed to a $20 billion fund to compensate victims of the oil spill.
Coe Says Downturn Not Hurting the Games
Coe expressed optimism that the global economic downturn would not negatively impact on the organization of the Games.
"We have consistently delivered a large part of this project through very difficult economic circumstances, what do we continue to do, irrespective of the economic climate, (is that) we go on delivering efficiently," he said.
Coe also predicted that ticket sales for London 2012 will be rising despite concerns that the crisis may hit hard on households.
"Ticket sales for us are very important, we have done probably more work on understanding the nature and psychology of ticket sales than any other organizing committee," Coe said. "Ithink that there will be a very big appetite, I know that."
Coe also added that the entire spectrum of British politicians is backing London 2012, despite a recent general election that has stranded the country with a "hung parliament," a situation where no political party has been able to secure an absolute majority of seats.
Coe said he reassured IOC board members that London 2012 has the political backing.
"I took them through the political landscape, which is a large component of the landscape of delivery for any Olympic game… to reassure them that during a hard fought general election – on both national and local level- the all-party approach to the games held firm."
Work Starts on Final Venue
Construction is underway for Eton Manor, the final permanent venue for the London Olympics to be built.
Eton Manor will be used an aquatics training center, and also the venue for wheelchair tennis during the Paralympics.
"Eton Manor will be a first class facility for the Wheelchair Tennis event during the Paralympic Games, as well as the aquatics training pools during the Olympic Games" said Sebastian Coe.
"It is the first time in the history of Paralympic tennis that a centre has been purpose built for the Wheelchair Tennis event and it is very exciting to see construction start."
After the Games, the permanent facilities will be transformed into a hockey center with two competition pitches, a tennis center with four indoor and six outdoor courts, and a provision for five-a-side football fields.
Hicham El Guerrouj "Impressed" with London Olympic Park
Olympic champion Hicham El Guerrouj said he is "impressed" with London Olympic Park.
El Guerrouj, who won two gold medals competing for Morocco visited the park Tuesday.
"I was surprised, impressed, and delighted by what I saw and want to congratulate everyone involved in the project for their passion and hard work" the IOC member said.
"The venues are modern and belong to the 21st century, they will be the best."
Written by Marta Falconi.
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