The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) issued detailed design rules Wednesday for the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games, including a mandate that some of the toilets in the Olympic Park do not face the holy Islamic city of Mecca. The Islamic religion prohibits Muslims from facing the Kiblah – the direction of prayer – when they visit the lavatory.
According to the Associated Press, members of the ODA said they wanted the Olympic and Paralympic Games to be inclusive of people with different faiths and individuals with disabilities.
Other design requirements reportedly include wide paths with smooth surfaces and seats at regular intervals.
ODA Chairman John Armitt said, “the Olympic Park will be at the heart of the celebrations and people of all cultures, faiths and ages and disabled people will find London 2012’s Olympic Park welcoming and easy to use”.
The ODA has said it wants to produce an ideal venue for people of all cultures, faiths, and abilities for the 2012 Games and beyond.
An ODA spokesman said a “percentage of general toilets would not face Mecca”, as part of its drive to make the 2012 Games the most inclusive and accessible Olympics to date, reports the Telegraph.
Dame Tanni Grey-Thomson, Paralympian and vice-chairman of the organizing committee’s Sports Advisory Group said, “London 2012 is aiming to go further than any previous host city to ensure that both the Olympic and Paralympic Games are accessible to everyone”.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said it was “clear that accessibility must continue to be at the core of our work. I welcome the ODA’s commitment to inclusive design and while I’m determined to provide taxpayer value from the 2012 budget, that commitment will not be compromised and remains a top priority for me as we prepare London to host the 2012 Games”.
London 2012 organizers asked for input from several communities before coming up with the design requirements.
