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Free tap water for visitors at all venues during Games
Mark Prigg, Science Correspondent28.11.08
ALL visitors to the 2012 London Games will be offered free tap water, organisers said today.
Paul Deighton, chief executive of the London organising committee, said it will "ensure the provision of free drinking water to the public at Games venues".
The move is a further triumph for the Evening Standard's Water on Tap campaign, which has persuaded more than 3,000 London bars and restaurants to offer free tap water to customers.
Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake said today it was a breakthrough in making it socially acceptable to offer tap water everywhere. "This is a major victory in a London-wide campaign led by the Evening Standard to have free water on tap," he said.
"But we need to maintain the pressure on the organising committee and check through all the long building process if they really install free drinking water fountains." Organisers admit they are still unsure how the water will be delivered.
Mr Deighton added: "The mechanism for providing this may vary from venue to venue depending on the type of infrastructure available and we will be reviewing this matter as we advance through our planning processes."
Mr Brake also raised questions over the drinks suppliers signed up as major sponsors to the Games.
He said: "Worldwide sponsors of the 2012 Olympics have huge financial interests in selling their products on the sites.
"I have planned several meetings with all the official sponsors to discuss with them how to keep our Olympics green."
Reader views (23)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
I know why they've done this - it's because you won't be able to take your own drinks in unless they're made by the sponsors, so this is to counter any criticism. If I'm wrong then fair enough, otherwise it's just further commercialisation of the games - it's nothing to do with sport anymore, it's purely a huge marketing exercise as far as the IOC are concerned.
- Lawrence Dimery, Newcastle
well, they've given the rest of the country away, they may as well give the water too.
- Ryan Finch, Luton
This is normal in all civilised nations.
- Nino, London, UK
If visiters need water? then they should buy it.I bet lots of people will come here not for the sport but for free health care.Mr Brown should stop this waste of public money.
- Stan White, leeds
Who is paying for this free water ? I hope it is the water companies, out of their obscene profits.
- Stan White, leeds
British flags will be3 handed out free by the lorry-load in the London Olympics, when free tap-water is a far better gift, and a commendable symbol of our civilised nation.
- Keith Price, Luton, England
The idea is good. London tap water is as good if not better than some bottled water (espically the DEL BOY version Peckham Water)
But how is Thames water going to serve it , in aglass, from a drinking gountain. Or have the thought about and decded to BOTTLE it so that it's easy and handy to have on the person. Or will we have to do the BRITISH THING and queue for it.
If they don't bottle it then I don't see it being a viable option to bottle water. Peopkle will not give up the convience of having a bottle in the pocket or bag.
- A Winsley, London
Pls dont forget free sunlight and fresh air to breathe too!
- Amod Deshmukh, Wimbledon England
Will it have the chemotherapy drug residues removed from it?
- Helene Davidson, London
"At the ancient Greek Olympics there was no drinking water available for spectators and they would be collapsing in droves from dehydration."
Yes. My granddad once ran from a Greek town called Marathon to Athens in a day or two and never even got an aluminium blanket, a certificate or a glass of sparkling water. In fact he died on the spot, and had his picture drawn looking most upset. But I guess that's life
- Keith Price, Luton, England
What they mean is that free tap water is ALL that will be on offer as we are being prepared for the all new bells and whistle free global recession games.
- Bloke, London
WHY WHY WHY does there have to be a campaign for people to be offered tap water in pubs and restaurants. If you want a glass of tap water, you say 'I'd like a glass of tap water please' and they bring it to you. If Londoners aren't able to do that without a campaign to help them, we really do have something to worry about. Spinelessness seems to be rampant.
- Susan, London
At the ancient Greek Olympics there was no drinking water available for spectators and they would be collapsing in droves from dehydration.
If it wasn't for the generous support by Coca Cola etc we'd still be stuck in the dark ages when the Olympics was about dull sporting competion, not the exciting celebration of marketing, profit and political deception we have now.
Let them drink Coke!
- Charles, Hackney, UK
Very few establishments have meters. If I see a tourist they can have as many glasses of free water as they want.
- Keith Price, Luton, England
Bound to rain for the whole 3 weeks--so what they mean is turn your face skywards and water will pour in.....
- William Grierson, Kimpton, UK
So who will pay for the metered water, the cups/glasses and the manpower - a stupid idea!
- Vince London, West London
Don't worry they will get it all back by charging for breathable air.
- Arthur Wainwright, northampton uk
er...John. Why would any tourist who wanted some water venture into a pub? Pubs are alcoholic establishments, arent they? You're not making sense. Tap water is free and should be dispensed freely to those who request it at the Olympics.
- Keith Price, Luton, England
I went to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and you couldn't even buy water only coca-cola, I was godsmacked.
- Maria, london
No it is not obvious. Ask in a pub for a free glass of tap water, most of the time, they don't want to give it to you.
And sponsors have huge interest to sell their products on the olympic sites.
- John, London
Wow! Free tap-water for visitors. Er....why is this news? Isn't it common courtesy in a civilised country like ours ?
- Keith Price, Luton, England
That's good news. well done everyone
- Chris Stenson, London
The water may be 'free' to the visitor but someone will have to pay for it... Let me guess, the London tax payer.
- Ben, London, W1
