London 2012: IOC President Rogge meets UK Prime Minister
LAUSANNE, March 30, 2012 - International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge met today with British Prime Minister David Cameron for discussions on the progress of preparations for the London 2012 Olympic Games, which are now just 121 days away.
The meeting, which took place in the Cabinet Room at 10 Downing Street in London, allowed the Prime Minister to underscore his government's full support for the Games and to talk about the legacy that the Games will leave to London and Great Britain. President Rogge thanked the Prime Minister for his continued backing and commitment to the Games.
Other attendees at the meeting were IOC Coordination Commission Chairman Denis Oswald; LOCOG Chairman Sebastian Coe; Secretaries of State Jeremy Hunt, Theresa May and Justine Greening; Sir Philip Craven, the President of the International Paralympic Committee; the IOC's Olympic Games Executive Director, Gilbert Felli; and LOCOG CEO Paul Deighton.
Following the meeting, President Rogge said: "I would like to thank the Prime Minister and his colleagues for the very good meeting that we had this morning. The strong support that we've always felt from our British friends for the Olympic Games was reinforced once again." He continued: "It is hard to believe that it has been seven years since the announcement in Singapore that the Olympic Games would be returning to the country that invented modern sport and the spirit of fair play. Since that day, thousands of young men and women worldwide have had only one thing on their minds — participating in these London Games. I believe that London will offer them ideal conditions in which to achieve their personal bests."
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 10th and final IOC Coordination Commission visit to London from 28 to 30 March. The British Government also released a document about the legacy of 2012 showing how this year's Games have acted as a catalyst for the country.
Prime Minister Cameron noted "Legacy has been built into the DNA of London 2012. But by definition, of course, the true legacy of London 2012 lies in the future. Though much has been done, I am acutely aware that the drive to embed and secure the benefits of London 2012 is still.
(Source:AIPS)
