UK Construction will rise to the Challenge of the London Olympic Games

In a press release issued on 6 July the Construction Industry Council expressed delight at London ’s success in being awarded the hosting of the 2012 Olympic Games by the International Olympic Committee.

Speaking immediately after the announcement, the CIC Chairman, Stuart Henderson , said:
‘This news is our first Gold Medal for the 2012 Olympics. It will raise a challenge for the UK construction industry to deliver the infrastructure and buildings required for the Olympics, but the industry will rise to the challenge to win the second Gold Medal before the Games begin. It adds real impetus to the already urgent aims of attracting new entrants, training and qualifying the workforce and respecting their rights to work safely. It also gives an added edge to the need for sustainable communities – so that the new facilities will endure for many years after 2012.’
The CIC Deputy Chairman, the Rt. Hon. Nick Raynsford MP , added:
‘All of us involved with Britain ’s construction industry recognise the huge challenge which we now face to deliver the best ever Olympic Games in London in 2012. At the CIC we are confident that the industry will rise to the challenge and we will be working closely with all our partners to ensure the success of London 2012.’

Finally, the CIC Chief Executive, Graham Watts , said:
‘ Can we deliver it? Yes, we can! The key will be a swift transition from the bid team to the Organising authority so that the momentum is not lost and we need to make full use of the seven years available to London to get the infrastructure and facilities in place. The construction industry must have a single, strategic focus on planning and delivery and we look to the Strategic Forum for Construction to take that lead. We should also remember that this is not just about London . There will be 140 National Olympic Associations looking to base themselves somewhere in the UK to prepare themselves for the Games, this will mean new facilities being built through partnerships between British towns and cities and other NOCs. There will be a few new 50-metre swimming pools built in the UK over the next few years. It is amazing to think what will be achieved in the UK due to the votes of just 2 people!’

For details of the London 2012 Olympics visit http://www.london2012.org/en