London’s bid for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games will receive a large boost with the signing of a “people’s compact” agreement that will guarantee jobs, training and homes for local residents.
The Guardian reports that after weeks of negotiations, officials from London 2012, the office of London’s Mayor, and the London Citizens, a residents’ pressure group, will sign a detailed agreement next week. The agreement is important to London’s bid because the International Olympic Committee (IOC) bases its decision on a bid city having the support of grassroots communities.
The timing of the agreement is also important since the five cities bidding for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games have to submit their bid books to the IOC by November 15.
Community groups had threatened to confront the IOC with concerns that the needs of local people were not being given a high enough priority, but it’s expected that threat will now be averted.
Neil Jameson, the coordinator of London Citizens, said,” this now means that we have more chance of winning the Games because it is now clear that there will be an economic benefit for local families and those whose lives will be disrupted. It shows that the voice of London’s authentic communities have been taken seriously and for the next eight years we can look forward to working with the key partners. The most important thing is that 2012 will be able to brand its bid as ‘ethical’ and that could be crucial”.
The deal includes land for affordable housing, living wage jobs, money for skills training and money for local schools and health services.
According to the agreement a construction academy would be created to train local people for the jobs that result from the creation of the Olympic infrastructure. There will also be money for more general skills training as part of a drive to raise the skills base across London.
Also, London 2012 is also helping to fund an Olympic themed fireworks display by the five London “Olympic” boroughs on November 12 when the five council leaders will come together for the first time to pledge their support for London’s bid.
Meanwhile, David Stubbs, Environmental Project Manager at London 2012, has visited Beijing to find out more about its plans for a Green Olympics.
Stubbs said of his meeting with his counterpart Yu Xiaoxuan from the Environmental Activity Division of Beijing 2008, “this was a very valuable meeting, which helped confirm the importance of integrating environmental performance measures into the planning and operation of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games”.
