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Games 'could leave no sporting legacy'
Pippa Crerar, City Hall Editor14.10.08
THE 2012 Olympic Games could leave little or no sporting legacy unless major investment is put into grassroots organisations now, an influential committee warned today.
The London Assembly's Economic Development, Culture and Sport committee said Boris Johnson's plans were at risk of failure.
Chairman Dee Doocey told the Standard: "I have concerns about delivery. I have no doubt he wants to have a sporting legacy but unless somebody starts putting some money in very quickly I can't see how it can be done." Ms Doocey was speaking ahead of an evidence session today with Kate Hoey, the Mayor's Commissioner for Sport. The former sports minister, will be under pressure to explain how she will boost participation in sport in the capital without substantial extra funds.
The Mayor is expected to announce additional money when he unveils his sporting legacy strategy next month but there are fears it will not be enough.
Assembly members are worried gaps in the provision of sports facilities are unlikely to be tackled by 2012 and if new facilities open, there will not be enough cash to guarantee their future public use. Ms Doocey said: "Sports clubs are losing money through movement of Lottery funds to the Olympics. My concern is there's nobody making any provision at all. There are just little pockets of things happening. Kate is desperate to do something but even she will eventually concede there isn't enough money."
Ms Doocey warned Mr Johnson unless he could guarantee a significant sporting legacy he should be careful about making the promise. "If he can't deliver he must be honest about it," she said.
Reader views (8)
The 2012 Olympic Games should be cancelled immediately so as to save the country from the squandering of further public money. The money the country does have should be reserved for really deserving causes, not a fortnight of sports that the average person has little interest in.
- Andy, Pinner
The only sane thing to do is cancel the so called games.
I believe that most people in this country do not want the
London could probably rebuild every school with the money we are wasting on a 2 week event for mainly posh folks.
- Dave, London
Those to enjoy this can pay for it if they like this overhyped,glorfied event.
Can anyone even remember many of our medal winners?
Cricket,football,rugby and Golf events don't need taxpayers money or private villages to hide away in but more people watch them and care who wins.
- James, Harpenden
There will be a legacy...massive debts and lots of white elephants!
- Sam, London
Even the elite athletes who won medals in China experessed their concerns about lack of facilities for the futrue!
- Mark, Watford
I thought everyone knew that the 'legacy' was just another piece of labour spin.
- Peter Haldane, London
Piffle.
We already have the 100m dash from the knife wielding hoodie gang.
The ticket barrier hurdles when running from arned police.
The chav shotput - involves house brick and car windscrren to get at satnav.
The dole queue endurance shuffle.
And the crack dealer relay - involves 4 likeminded individuals keeping one step ahead of the police.
I would say that is a great start
- Jimbob, Kensington
We never wanted that mess here in London, I mean that the city is in an economic mess after Red Ken and the Crash Gordon legacy. We can not afford these games.
- Georgie, Islington, London
