Olympic chiefs discuss 2008 lessons

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Dozens of VIPs, led by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge, are taking part in the four-day Beijing debrief.

Officials from the Beijing 2008 Organising Committee (Bocog) will share their experiences with the London 2012 Organising Committee and other Games organisers from Vancouver, Sochi and the 2016 candidate cities.

Venues, including their design, cost and future use, may be a hot topic as London 2012 seeks to make cost-savings on its temporary venues. A future tenant for London's showpiece Olympic Stadium also has yet to be finalised.

There has been praise for Beijing's spectacular arenas such as the Bird's Nest and Water Cube.

London 2012 sent more than 100 officials to Beijing to try and pick up tips on how to host an Olympics.

Lord Coe, the London 2012 chairman, said the "number one lesson" from Beijing was that the "most extraordinary" medal-winning performances of both Team GB and ParalympicsGB is something that should be built upon in the next four years. He also said Beijing had a "real eye for detail and nothing was left to chance".

Beijing was also a fully-integrated Games and the simplicity of planning between the Olympics and the Paralympics which saw both events given equal importance, Lord Coe noted.

Another Beijing approach which London organisers hope to copy is the way the athletes were treated, including the provision of the exceptional Olympic Village.

A discussion among panellists including Lord Coe, BBC Deputy Director Mark Byford and double Olympic champ Dame Kelly Holmes is to follow.