Sport

Coe all praise for Beijing; ready for London

BEIJING: Sebastian Coe, the Chairman of the London Olympics Organising Committee, was hearty in his praise for the Beijing Games as he addressed the media here on Friday.

“You are unlikely to see Games of this stature ever again,” said Coe, even as he underlined the point that London would live up to its stature and deliver a classy Games.

“IOC president Jacque Rogge says that the Games must leave a legacy. The U.K. government recognises this is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Our priority is to leave a legacy for the community. We will deliver a spectacular Games,” he said.

It has indeed been a very educative experience for the London Olympics organisers who have been observing every detail of the organisational aspects here.

“You only have one opportunity to observe a working model close up like this. We have grasped it with both hands. These have been a supremely well-delivered Games. It has been an extraordinarily useful learning curve for our observation teams.

“The detailed planning and execution has inspired us. It demonstrates the potential of the Games to energise the international population and the intrinsic values of sport.

“I think the challenge is to bring the Games to life after the opening ceremony and deliver the excitement that is expected, something spectacular,” he observed.

Pointing at the key to the success of the Games, Coe said, “The Games are about the athletes. They give up half their young lives to prepare for this. You have to create the perfect climate for them to perform.

“You must get the details right, the transport, the security, the accommodation. The attention to detail has been extraordinary. The athletes are being transported virtually to the side of the track at the stadium. No stone has been left unturned,” added Coe.

It has been hassle-free security at Beijing, and Coe highlighted the need to have security that was strong but unobtrusive.

“The British police have a very good record in this area. It is a huge, global, capital city. There will be a balance. The Games must be enjoyable and the city will not be locked down,” he assured.

The Chief Executive Officer of the London 2012 Organising Committee, Paul Deighton, talked about the impact of the Beijing Games.

“We have seen some extraordinary sport. It has been a magnificent success. I think people see this and get the idea of how powerful the Olympics can be,” Deighton remarked.

The Director of Culture, Ceremonies and Education, Bill Morris, said the ‘handover’ at the closing ceremony, would be the ‘kick-off’ moment and the beginning of the journey.

“Many Olympians will be involved. Jimmy Page and David Beckham will take part,” he said.

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