The Mayor of London Boris Johnson today declared the Olympic Park "Ready to receive the world". The Mayor took a final tour of the Park as finishing touches are made to the world-class sporting venues and landscaped parklands, ahead of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in just two weeks' time.
The Mayor gave the Olympic Park his seal of approval during a tour with LOCOG's Director of Venues and Infrastructure James Bulley. He also visited the top-class facilities at the Athletes Village as team officials began moving in, ahead of the athletes' arrival themselves on Monday 16th July.
Each of the eight major sports venues at the Park has been completed on time and to budget. The spectacular Stadium is being prepared to be in the global spotlight for the Opening Ceremony, the iconic Aquatics centre was finished with one year to go to the Games, and extensive testing has now been carried out on all the venues to ensure the smooth running of the world's biggest festival of sport.
The beautiful new parklands, complete with viewing areas where spectators will be able to watch live action on big screens, and the reclaimed waterways running through the Park will be enjoyed by visitors during the Games as well as by Londoners for generations to come. Along with the fantastic new venues and sports facilities that will stage major events in the coming years and the spectacular attraction of the ArcelorMittal Orbit, this long neglected part of London is ready to take its moment in the global spotlight.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "We are close to the finishing line in our preparations for what promises to be one of the most exciting events in London's long history. After years of construction, millions of hours of labour and the hard work and superb project management of LOCOG and ODA teams, there is no doubt that the Olympic Park is ready to receive the world. Not only is the Park a towering achievement of design and planning, it is the pinnacle of the lasting legacy the 2012 Games will create for the capital, generating new communities, driving tourism and boosting the economy."
LOCOG Chair, Seb Coe, said: "With 15 days to go until the Opening Ceremony we're putting the final touches in place and are looking forward to welcoming the world to London 2012. Teams have begun arriving at the Olympic Village this week and athletes will arrive on Monday. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who's been involved."
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Press information is available from Elizabeth Lee on 0207 983 4928 or economicdesk@london.gov.uk
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