London’s bid for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games has received a warning from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
According to a published report, the IOC told London 2012 officials to scrap their plans for a lottery to help fund the 2012 Games. They said bid officials could not start up any scratchcards or draws until the 2012 venue has been decided in July 2005.
Lottery money is crucial for London’s funding plans, said the report, providing 1.5 billion pounds of the estimated 2.375 billion pound budget to stage the Games.
Lottery games were to be launched next spring in the buildup to the 2004 Athens Summer Games.
The initial idea was for the money to go back into the current sports fund if London failed to win the IOC vote.
London may also have a problem recruiting volunteers. It was announced that British sport is struggling with the number of people who give up their time to help organize clubs.
New research revealed that volunteers are coming under increasing pressure because of the risk of blame and litigation. Pressures from other commitments such as work and family are also squeezing the time available.
