Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth announced in her annual address to the State Opening of Parliament Tuesday that the British Government will introduce the London Olympics Bill to Parliament as soon as possible if London is the host of the 2012 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Bill would set up the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), grant the Mayor of London Olympic specific powers to prepare for and stage the Games, and provide additional legal safeguards for Olympic symbols.
The bill will also introduce legal safeguards for Olympic logos, control advertising and street trading around venues, and outlaw ticket touting for games, and will ensure transport structures were ready on time and on budget.
Sebastian Coe, head of London 2012 said, “this demonstrates the absolute commitment of Tony Blair and his government to bring the Games to London in 2012. It shows how advanced our plans are and work could begin immediately if the International Olympic Committee (IOC) awards the Games to London on 6 July”.
Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport said, “we will be hitting the ground running if the IOC awards the Games to London in 50 days time. The London Olympics Bill, which will be introduced at the earliest possible opportunity if we win the bid, is further evidence of our ability to deliver an outstanding Games”.
The bill has the full support of all the UK’s major political parties.
