London mayor Boris Johnson outlined his plans Monday for the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games to the Olympic Board members including Olympics minister Tessa Jowell, British Olympic Association chair Colin Moynihan and London 2012 organizing committee chair Sebastian Coe.
Of the 9.32 billion pound budget, 32 million pounds has been allocated for the “look and feel” of London away from the Olympic Park, reports the BBC.
Johnson said, “people will hugely enjoy it and for those who don’t enjoy it, it’ll all be over in a flash”.
The four main live sites will feature concert stages and big screens, and will be situated in Hyde Park with a capacity of 50,000, Victoria Park with 40,000 capacity, Jubilee Gardens for 8,000 people, and Potter’s Gate with a capacity of 4,500.
The BBC reports entry to those sites will be limited and ticketed, and planners hope they will be funded entirely by sponsors without the need for public money.
Although Trafalgar Square was rejected because of issues around access and security, a substantial amount of money will be spent on linking Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and Leicester Square into a huge pedestrian area.
The mayor reportedly plans to recruit 7,000 volunteers located at a number of strategic points across the city to ensure people are able to travel to venues quickly and efficiently.
A 12-week arts festival between June 21 and September 9 is set to take place as part of the Cultural Olympiad which will feature commissions from some of the world’s leading artists.
Johnson said the challenge, involving “a lot of intellectual heavy lifting” would be how to balance the desire for a great party with the need to keep London working.
