This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scotland backs London Olympic bid
17/01/2005
Scottish Ministers have pledged to support London's bid
for the 2012 Olympics and take full advantage of the
sporting, business, tourism and cultural spin offs that
will arise.
Today at the 'Olympic Opportunities - Raising the Game
Across the UK', a conference about how the UK as a whole
can benefit from a London Games, Sport Minister Patricia
Ferguson said:
"Scotland stands shoulder to shoulder with London in its
bid to host the Olympics in 2012.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to reap
the rewards that will flow from the biggest sporting event
in the world.
"We have gathered a group of experts from the public and
private sector to ensure Scotland benefits if London's bid
is successful, and several top Scottish athletes have added
their support.
"In terms of the tourism industry in Scotland, a
successful bid would provide a fantastic opportunity to
attract more visitors to our country, and give a heightened
profile to our unique scenery, modern, vibrant cities and
unrivalled historic buildings and monuments.
"The bid has already benefited Scottish based companies:
Navyblue Design Group, won the tender to design London
2012's bid document, and HiFli Banners and Flags are
involved in the manufacturing of London 2012's promotional
and branding material.
"I will also be meeting Sandra Nori, Minister of Tourism
for Sport and Recreation in New South Wales, who was
Olympics Minister at the time of the Sydney Olympics 2000.
I am sure sharing her experiences will be invaluable in
maximising the benefits for Scotland if London gets the
Games.
"I believe the Games will provide a gilt-edged
opportunity to highlight the unique role and contribution
of Scots and Scotland to the heritage and cultural life of
the UK."
Other speakers at today's conference include
- Bid Chairman Sebastian Coe
- Secretary for State for Culture, Media and Sport
Tessa Jowell
- five times Olympic gold medallist Sir Steve
Redgrave
- Simon Clegg from the British Olympic
Association
- Jude Kelly, head of London 2012's Cultural
Programme
- Sandra Nori, Minister of Tourism for Sport and
Recreation in New South Wales and Olympics Minister at
Sydney 2000
London, along with other Candidate Cities (Madrid,
Moscow, New York and Paris), submitted their bids to the
IOC on Monday November 15 2004.
The IOC will announce the successful host city during
the 117th IOC Session in Singapore on July 6 this year.