The London 2012 bid book said that a ship would sail around the world advertising Britain’s “cultural riches” to promote the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games. “In turn, every nation visited will have the opportunity to contribute to the vessel’s cargo – either in real terms or via the website”, said the bid book.
But now the BBC reports plans to promote the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games using the ship have been ditched.
The ship, a full-size ocean-going clipper, was to set sail in August with a crew of young people, artists, philosophers and students. It was to be run by professional officers.
London’s bid book also says “through dialogue and exchange, creativity and sharing, the UK will use this voyage to redefine its relationship to world cultures and celebrate London’s new role as host city”.
A London 2012 spokeswoman told the BBC they are now looking at other ways of promoting the Games throughout the world.
Other than the debate about the increase in the Games’ budget, the BBC calls the decision by organizers to scrap the ship probably the most significant broken promise since the bid was won in July 2005.
