2012 Olympics golden opportunity business leaders told
YORKSHIRE is one of the region’s best placed to benefit from the 2012 London Olympics, according to the head of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).
Speaking to TheBusinessDesk.com Paul Deighton said that Yorkshire’s sporting heritage, proactive regional development agency and diversity of industry made it one of the top regions to capitalise on the sporting event.
The LOCOG chief executive was on a day’s tour of the region, which included meeting Yorkshire business leaders at a conference in Sheffield, young artists taking part in cultural project ‘Precious Cargo’ and the newly opened Adidas adiZone outdoor gym in Wakefield.
Mr Deighton said: “We can’t be complacent. We need to keep promoting the opportunities that the games offer.
“I think that businesses are starting to realise the very real opportunities that London 2012 offers. Indeed many Yorkshire firms have already benefited such as York-based Portakabin.”
He continued: “Looking at where we are in the journey we’re just over half way in spending with 1,000 direct contracts awarded. Most of the construction contracts have been secured but we’re now looking at other services. We need 17,000 beds for example, caterers to feed the athletes and staff.”
Mr Deighton said that any cynicism that the regions may have had over contracts and opportunities had faded now as benefits such as the adiZone were appearing.
“Young people across the region are learning and developing their skills through their interest in sport and the 2012 Games,” he added.
“Adidas’ adiZone will help increase healthier lifestyles and the ‘Precious Cargo’ youth curating project will foster greater understanding between communities in the run up to 2012 and beyond.”
The visit was co-ordinated by Yorkshire Gold, the regional committee created to help firms make the most of the benefits offered by the 2012 Games.
Martin Havenhand, chairman of Yorkshire Gold, said: “Yorkshire’s weekend of sporting success with Jess Ennis taking Britain’s first heptathlon Gold at the World Athletics Championships and Alistair Brownlee’s phenomenal London triathlon win are inspirational.
“And that’s what London 2012 is all about – inspiring everyone to achieve and participate at whatever level. Yorkshire is already capitalising on the opportunities from the 2012 Games and as our athletes continue to achieve, so we will continue to seize the opportunities which will lead to a lasting legacy for our region.”
