London: With 75 days to go until the International Olympic Committee votes for the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games host city, London 2012 today unveiled a Countdown Clock in Trafalgar Square, central London, just six miles from the proposed new Olympic Park.
The Countdown Clock, sponsored by London 2012 Premier Partner, EDF Energy, will mark the days, hours and minutes to the final decision on 6th July in the heart of London, Trafalgar Square, one of many stunning landmarks designated for Olympic sporting and cultural events if London hosts the Games.
Other world familiar London landmarks will include Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the BA London Eye and London’s Royal parks, such as Hyde Park, which will be converted in to spectacular Olympic Games settings.
Olympic sports and athletes will also be showcased in London’s world famous sporting venues, including Wimbledon, Lords, and the new Wembley.
The new Countdown Clock was unveiled by London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe and by leading bid ambassador Cherie Blair.
And in an unprecedented show of political unity, senior politicians from the three main political parties took time out from the national election campaign to also attend the Countdown Clock unveiling.
“The London 2012 Countdown Clock provides a visual focus for our campaign as we enter the final stages of our bid to bring the Olympic Games to London,” said Sebastian Coe. “Excitement and support is increasing behind London’s bid and the race is very close. “
“I believe that London has a winning blueprint and just this week the Mayor announced that a new hockey facility will be built in London regardless of the outcome of the bid. This leaves us just two permanent venues to build for the Olympic Games in London and demonstrates the sporting benefits already coming from London’s bid and our commitment to rebuilding the city’s sporting infrastructure to host the Olympic Games.”
Trafalgar Square, in central London, will be part of London’s landmark Olympic Marathon course and is just seven minutes by high speed shuttle from the fully funded and planning approved east London Olympic Park complex in which key Olympic venues including the new Olympic Stadium, Village, Aquatics Centre, Velopark and Hockey Centre will be co-located on the same site, providing London and international sport with new facilities and the biggest new community park in Europe for more than 150 years after the Games.
London 2012 ambassador Cherie Blair said: “I know that winning the right to host the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games here in London would be a huge boost to the capital, the UK and the Olympic Movement. It will be a fantastic experience for the world’s athletes and will help to inspire a new generation of young people around the world and help to increase participation in Olympic sport.”
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Tessa Jowell said: “We’re counting down to what we hope will be a famous victory in Singapore in July – and this clock in Trafalgar Square is a powerful reminder of how close the decision is and how important it is that we all get right behind the bid.
“I am delighted to stand alongside Conservatives and Liberal Democrats today – in the middle of the election campaign – to show the world that Britain’s three main political parties are firmly on the same side, united in wanting to bring the Games to London in 2012. The Olympics would be great for sport, great for our capital city and great for our country”.
Hugh Robertson, Conservative Shadow Sports spokesman: “London’s Bid is nearing the final stretch in what is proving to be one of the closest races in Olympic history. The Olympic Games are the world’s greatest festival of sport and it would be an honour to host the Games in our own country. We have a fantastic chance and we are in a strong position – this is reiterated by the cross-party support we have here today.”
Sarah Teather, the Liberal Democrats’ spokesman for London: “London has everything the Games need: a strong technical bid, the skills and enthusiasm, and a legacy to regenerate the parts of London that need it most. Now the Countdown Clock is counting down the days, hours and minutes until the vote in Singapore – the excitement and passion for London’s Bid ca only grow.”
The London 2012 Countdown Clock is sponsored by EDF Energy, the first premier partner of London 2012. It will stay in Trafalgar Square until 6th July.
***For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on 020 7093 5100.Make Britain Proud and back the Bid. Register your support at http://www.london2012.com/ or text LONDON to 82012.
Please Note: Broadcast quality images of the London 2012 Olympic Games Bid can be downloaded free of charge for registered media by visiting the following website: www.thenewwsmarket.com/london2012