Olympic Games in Beijing Ended, London prepares for 2012
The Summer olympic games in Beijing have ended today, while the games in London 2012 are already being prepared. Let's have a closer look at what does it take to organise such an event.
Olympic games are an extraordinary opportunity for a country and a city to present themselves in their best in front of all the world. Holding the olympic games changes the city as it is often connected with huge investments. From the project management point of view, there are few other projects that could match this one in terms of complexity and difficulty.
To fully appreciate what has been done in Beijing and what is awaiting London, let's have a closer look at some aspects of organisation of olympic games:
- the general support for holding the olympic games has to be gained
- all preparations have to be finished on time
- the olympic flame has to be transfered from Greece
- many volunteers are crucial for the success and have to be properly managed
- a timesheet for numerous sports has to be completed, flexible enough to react to weather limitations
- the city needs to adapt to the special ocassion (many tourists, athletes, marathon closures etc.)
- security of all participants has to be ensured
- the numerous press and media need proper support
- find future use for the facilities that are to be built
The website for olympic games in London offers interesting information regarding the preparations:
- The budget is to be funded from both private (GBP 2 bn) and public sector: National lottery (GBP 2.2bn), the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, The Greater London Authority (GBP 925 million), The London Development Agency (GBP 220 million)
- The Olympic Board has been set up and meets on a monthly basis. It is made up of Olympics Minister, Mayor of London, British Olympic Association Chairman and London 2012 Organising Committee Chairman. The minutes from their meetings are available.
- The Olympic Board first met in 2005, that is 7 years before the games are held. The preparations for the London bid started in 2003.
- Head-hunters were recruited to carry out the global search for the permanent Chief Executive Officer for The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).
- High-level workshops were convened and facilitated by independent experts in programme management (Accenture).
- In 2012, 205 nations, 10 500 athletes in 300 events are expected.
- Great Britain's aim is to reach at least 4th rank in the medal rankings.
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