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Prime Minister Gordon Brown was on site at the Olympic complex today as the planning hit the half way point. Brown said the games were a "job creator and growth generator" during the economic downturn - echoing the words of Olympic minister Tess Jowell that 2012 was "economic gold in the time of economic lead." 1,287 days ago the International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge declared London had won the right to host the 2012 games in a tight race with Paris. In 1,287 more the opening ceremony will take place on the spot where the Prime Minister spoke today. Brown toured the Olympic Park in Stratford saying: "We are ahead of schedule - 3,000 people have already been employed, 11,000 next year and in total about 30,000 people will have worked here by 2012. It is a huge employment generator and job creator for the future."
Business leaders announced
Mayor Boris Johnson has also named the head of a major supermarket chain and a private equity investor as business leaders for the 2012 London Olympics. The appointment as advisors comes after Carphone Warehouse founder David Ross was forced to step down in a shares scandal in December. Justin King, chief executive of Sainsbury's, and David Gregson, a part-time chairman of Phoenix Equity Partners, will both deliver an “exceptional” games. Johnson said: "My team and I are fully focused on guaranteeing that London hosts a spectacular sporting event for athletes and spectators alike in 2012."
Legacy and organisation
Mr King will represent the Mayor on the board of the organising committee for 2012, while Mr Gregson will chair the legacy board to ensure the Olympics delivers long-lasting benefits to Londoners. Mr Gregson, part-time chairman of Phoenix Equity Partners, said he hoped to draw on both his professional and charitable experience. Mr King said: "I feel excited and privileged to be asked to make a contribution to such an important event, for London and the country." * New images have just been released by the Olympic Delivery Authority that now show all land in the 500-acre site has now been cleared and work has begun on the Olympic Village and Aquatics centre.
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