David Stubbs, the Olympics Head of Sustainability – the man responsible for delivering an environmentally-friendly London 2012 – made the comment when asked about criticism of some of the choices of Olympics partner and sponsor firms, ranging from Dow Chemical to oil giant BP and the French electricity company EDF.
In 2001 Dow became the 100 per cent shareholder of Union Carbide Corporation (UCC), whose Indian subsidiary was responsible for the world’s worst ever industrial disaster in Bhopal, India, in 1984, in which several thousand people were killed by escaping cyanide gas.
BP was widely criticised for its handling of the disastrous Gulf of Mexico oil spill two years ago, while EDF, the French state energy firm, was fined 1.5m Euros by a French court last year, and had two of its employees sent to jail, for spying on the environment group Greenpeace.
The choice of these and other companies as partners has brought about strong criticism.
But Mr Stubbs, who has spent the last nine years trying to organise a sustainable Olympics, rebuts the critics, “All the partners are on board working with us, to our criteria, on what we’re looking for in terms of materials and services and supporting our sustainability agenda, and that is the perspective, the framework, in which we can work,” he said.
“We can’t suddenly become a global policeman and run around the world looking at everything every company does.
“If you took out EDF you’d have another energy company, or if you took out BP you’d have another oil company – they’re all similar in that respect.”
He added: “You’ve got to work with them. It’s no good just saying, ‘oh they’re bad, therefore ignore them’, because that is futile. It’s just gesture politics, and doesn’t really help anyone.”
Source: www.independent.co.uk
London 2012: affordable housing sidelined in Olympic regeneration - The Guardian
As London prepares to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the government has once again announced new plans to boost infrastructure spending to kickstart our sluggish economy. The whole London 2012 project is based on the logic that major investment will accelerate regeneration in east London. But as the starting pistol is fired, research shows the event will not meet the promises made by successive governments since 2005.
When London won the Olympic bid, the vision of an inclusive regeneration project was underpinned by a commitment to creating mixed communities and reducing social deprivation. It was anticipated that the housing legacy, in particular, would help deliver these goals and extend beyond the parameters of the park.
In 2005, researchers at the London East Research Institute began monitoring planning agreements on housing schemes of 50 or more units along Stratford high street. The high street serves as a good case study because of its close proximity to the Olympic Park and provides clear evidence of accelerated regeneration: 2,321 properties have been developed since 2000 and a further 753 are planned. We explored the planning gain agreements on all schemes with signed section 106 (S106) agreements.
Planning gain based on S106 agreements is significant; they are the mechanism for capturing value and more generally mitigating the impact on local communities. Our research study set out to explore the extent to which accelerated regeneration has occurred and the benefits that have been derived from this for local communities. We focused on two dimensions — contributions to affordable housing and financial contributions intended to mitigate the impact of developments.
The agreements were analysed across three periods: the years immediately prior to London winning the bid (2000-2005); the early pre-event phase, marked by substantial planning gain activity and significant numbers of affordable housing units being developed; and finally the period since 2009 – in which there has been minimal commitment to achieving wider benefits for local communities.
Between 2000 and 2005, three schemes were developed (including 484 units) reflecting a growing interest in this area due to planned developments such as Stratford City and Eurostar.
Planning gain requirements were less about maximising development and more about ensuring development took place. Nevertheless, these schemes included 21% affordable housing and the majority of this was shared ownership (75%).
Newham was keen to rebalance the housing tenure in Stratford, which at this time was dominated by housing for social rent. Between 2005 and 2008, development increased at a rapid pace. The Olympics provided confidence in the area and seven schemes came to fruition, leading to the construction of 1,902 new properties (38% affordable, with a 48:52 split between intermediate housing and social rented housing).
However, since 2009 there has been a dramatic departure from previous commitments to mixed communities and on-site affordable housing. Three schemes have been approved with signed S106 agreements. These agreements do not include any on-site affordable housing for social rent and just 7.5% on-site shared ownership. On two schemes contributions are made to off-site affordable housing (16%) and on the third scheme affordable housing is subject to profitability. Moreover, financial contributions to offset the impact of developments have fallen substantially and are now way below the actual cost to local authorities when new housing is built.
There are three main explanations for this. The first is that cuts to government grant funding make it more difficult to fund affordable housing; secondly, planning frameworks have been relaxed with scope for manoeuvre over specific levels of affordable housing provided; and thirdly, development agencies are keen to encourage activity – and from their perspective more private housing may be preferable to no housing development.
Land comes at a premium in London and most new affordable housing is likely to be developed in east London as there are more vacant sites available. However, every site or scheme that includes very low or no on-site affordable housing for rent exacerbates the housing crisis for families on low incomes. These developments will shape subsequent activity on surrounding sites and indicates that poor families will eventually be pushed out of this area.
This was reflected in the outline planning application for Ikea's mixed use development to the south of Stratford High Street. The scheme is significant as it includes 1,192 properties and covers a large area of land. The rapidly decreasing requirements for affordable housing are once again evident here. The scheme proposes 10% on-site affordable housing with a 50:50 split between affordable rent and intermediate housing, with a commitment to increase this to 15% if market conditions prevail.
I would suggest that it is just as important to explore housing change on the borders of the Olympic Park to understand housing legacy as it is to focus exclusively on the Park. Policy makers are hoping that there will be a convergence in living standards with residents in the east and west of London. The danger is that this will be achieved by simply changing the population mix rather than transforming the lives of existing east London communities.
Dr Penny Bernstock is a field leader at the University of East London. Professor Gavin Poynter is chair of the London East Research Institute
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Source: www.guardian.co.uk
'London IS ready': Romney completes humiliating u-turn in new UK charm offensive after Olympics gaffe - Daily Mail
- Mitt Romney brands Olympics 'fabulous' after string of embarrassing gaffes
- Had questioned whether Britain was fit to stage the summer games
- Said he'll put bust of Winston Churchill - which was given to President Bush and returned by Obama - back into White House
- Awkwardly refers to Labour leader Ed Miliband as 'Mr Leader'
- Prime Minister David Cameron hit back with claim that 'Britain can deliver'
By Toby Harnden , Thomas Durante and Daniel Bates
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Mitt Romney was today frantically attempting to win over the British public after a disastrous day in which he was jeered and mocked following his Olympics gaffe.
In a series of interviews the Republican Presidential candidate sought to repair his reputation in Britain with overflowing praise for the host country.
Romney spoke to both CNN and NBC and was so keen to make an impression he went further than most Brits - by calling the weather in the UK ‘great’.
Scroll down for video
Back tracking: Mitt Romney has appeared in interviews to praise the UK and the Olympics after a string of gaffes during his visit to London on Thursday
He had been branded ‘Mitt the Twit’ and ‘Party Pooper’ by the British press for a string of gaffes in which he said The Games would be a failure.
The blunder was compounded because he made them whilst on a visit to London, his first foreign trip as a presidential candidate.
Appearing with wife Ann, Romney first spoke to Piers Morgan on CNN and said: ‘To actually be here and to experience not just the athletes but also the volunteers who are working hard and excited, and then the whole community comes together, it’s fabulous.’
He even said that there had been ‘great weather’ since he had arrived.
Romney’s next stop was the Today show in which he told Matt Lauer: ‘After being here a couple of days it looks to me like London is ready.’
In a remarkably softer tone, he added: ‘It is hard having The Games in a major metropolitan area.
Sweet talking: He appeared with his wife Ann in an interview with Piers Morgan on CNN
‘What they’ve done I find so impressive is they took the venues and put them right in the city. You’re going to be in the back side of 10 Downing Street for beach volleyball.’
Asked by Matt Lauer if he was just being a politician and just backing off from his earlier comments, Romney said: ‘The people here are ready for the games and in a few moments all the things politicians said will get swept away because the athletes will finally take the stage.
‘The games are about the athletes.’
Romney, who has been credited with rescuing the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, had been attacked by David Cameron who said it was unfair to compare having The Games in London with hosting the event in a city which is ‘in the middle of nowhere’.
Asked if he thought that is what Cameron was talking about, Romney said: ‘I don’t see that’.
The most high-profile humiliation for Romney came when thousands of Brits jeered him after London's Mayor Boris Johnson mocked him at a concert to mark the end of the Olympic Torch relay.
Fiery remarks: Olympic torch bearer Tyler Rix stands with London Mayor Boris Johnson after lighting an Olympic cauldron on stage for the Olympic Torch Relay Finale Concert in Hyde Park
'Are we ready? Yes we are!': Boris Johnson issues his Olympics rallying cry as he speaks in front of 60,000 gathered in Hyde Park, central London, on the eve of the beginning of the 2012 Games
However, behind the scenes officials were even more scathing about the Republican presidential hopeful, describing his visit as a 'car crash' and comparing him unfavourably to Sarah Palin.
Another official who met with the former Governor of Massachusetts said he was 'apparently devoid of charm, warmth, humour or sincerity'.
Even Conservative right-wingers, who traditionally back the Republicans, expressed dismay.
MP Mark Pritchard said: ‘If he becomes President of the United States, he will perhaps be less casual in his language.’
Another Whitehall official said of Mr Romney’s remarks: ‘What a car crash. We are speechless' - with one aide saying the candidate was 'worse than Sarah Palin', John McCain's 2008 running mate who has a poor reputation in the UK.
Speaking in front of 60,000 assembled in Hyde Park, Mr Johnson used Mr Romney's earlier comments on the Games as a rallying cry.
Revellers: About 60,000 people packed into London's Hyde Park for the Olympic Torch Relay Finale Concert
Having a sit-down: Romney talks with Prime Minister David Cameron, just one day after the presidential hopeful expressed doubts about London's ability to host the Olympics
Special relationship revisited? Romney met with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair today during his visit and tour of London
He shouted to the crowd: 'There's guy called Mitt Romney who wants to know if we are ready. Are we ready? Yes we are!'
In response, the raucous crowd erupted in thunderous applause.
It was the latest humiliating jab at Mitt Romney since the Republican began off his first foreign tour.
Earlier in the day, he was rebuked by UK Prime Minister David Cameron for questioning whether Britain will be able to stage the Olympic Games effectively.
Diplomatically, the two are off to an incredibly rocky start as Romney began his London trip to meet British leaders, hold fundraisers and attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.
If Romney can defeat Obama in November, he and Cameron would have brought strain to their 'special relationship' before it even begins.
Romney, who was in charge of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, caused an international stir during a Wednesday interview when he questioned London's ability to host the games, saying: 'It's hard to know just how well it will turn out.'
But on Thursday, after a morning of meetings with top British officials - including Prime Minister David Cameron - Romney made a complete about-face on his remarks, saying he believes the Olympics will be 'successful.'
That declaration came after Cameron challenged Romney and other critics during an appearance in Olympic Park, when he said: 'You're going to see beyond doubt that Britain can deliver.'
Cameron also took a jab at the presidential hopeful when he told The Daily Telegraph: 'We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world. Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic games in the middle of nowhere.'
But those remarks, in turn, appeared to have offended the city’s mayor Ralph Becker, who said: ‘He can stop by any time. We’d love to have him and are happy to send a map so he doesn’t run into any trouble locating the middle of nowhere.’
You got served: Romney waves from his car as he leaves 10 Downing Street where he met with Prime Minister Cameron
Comparison: One official branded Romney as 'worse than Sarah Palin' following his string of gaffes
It seems that Romney will say anything to get back into Britain's good graces - including an attempt to put 'Winston Churchill' back in the White House.
The Weekly Standard reported that Romney, speaking during a fundraiser in London, said that if elected president, he would return a bust of Churchill that was given to President George W. Bush in 2001 - and later returned by President Obama - back to the Oval Office.
The uproar against Romney began on Wednesday, when he told NBC's Brian Williams that 'disconcerting' events surrounding Olympics preparations mean 'it's hard to know just how well it will turn out.'
He continued: 'There are a few things that were disconcerting, the stories about the - private security firm not having enough people the supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials, that obviously is not something which is encouraging.
Personal tour: Mitt Romney checks out the Great Pavilion exhibit with British Foreign Secretary William Hague, right, at the British Foreign Ministry
Discussion on Downing: Romney walks out of 10 Downing Street to speak to reporters after his meeting with Prime Minister Cameron
'Because in the games, there are three parts that makes games successful. Number one, of course, are the athletes. That's what overwhelmingly the games are about. Number two are the volunteers.
'And they'll have great volunteers here. But number three are the people of the - of the country. Do they come together and celebrate the Olympic moment? And that's something which we only find out once the games actually begin.'
But Romney began to distance himself from the comments after speaking with Labour Party boss Ed Miliband.
Following their encounter at the Houses of Parliament, Romney said: 'As the sporting events begin, we all forget the organisers and focus on the athletes.'
'ROMNEY IS A WAZZOCK': BRITISH PRESS TURN ON REPUBLICAN
The British media were quick to launch into Mitt Romney in the wake of his less-than-complimentary views on London's Olympics.
The Daily Telegraph's Lucy Jones branded him a 'wazzock' (which the Urban Dictionary defines as an idiot or daft person') after the U.S. presidential hopeful questioned Britain's desire to host the Games.
She said: 'Who does Mitt Romney think he is? I feel a glimmer of protectiveness and pride... there's one thing Romney could learn while he's in Britain this week: some manners.'
Nicholas Watt, from The Guardian, tweeted of his U-turn: 'Mitt Romney rowing back like mad on Olympics: Now says outside No 10 games to be a great success.'
Meanwhile, Paul Harris said: 'Good old Mitt. His charm offensive in the UK failed to be charming, but he really pulled off the offensive bit #gop #romney.'
James Kirkup, also from The Daily Telegraph, drew attention to Prime Minister David Cameron's response to Romney's comments.
'Mr Romney made his name salvaging the Salt Lake City Winter Games in 2002, an achievement he may think qualifies him to comment on preparations for London 2012,' he said.
'In the context of Mr Romney's glittering resum, one of Mr Cameron's (faintly defensive) comments bears particular attention: "We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world."
'Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic games in the middle of nowhere.'
'Some cynics thought that the "middle of nowhere" comment could just be a swipe at Salt Lake City, which is quite near the middle of, er, Utah. Terrible people, cynics.'
But it wasn't until after the sit-down with Cameron at 10 Downing Street, when Romney completed the 180-degree turn, declaring: 'I expect the games to be highly successful.'
The 2012 Olympics has been dogged with concerns ever since private security firm G4S said it would have to provide thousands fewer staff than they originally promised.
The British government has been forced to call in thousands of members of the armed forces - many of whom have just returned from Afghanistan - to plug the gaps.
There has also been problems with Border Agency staff threatening to go on strike during the Games, although such action was called off yesterday.
The following morning, however, he struck a more upbeat tone as he spoke at the Houses of Parliament with Miliband, whom he addressed awkwardly as 'Mr Leader.'
As Romney met with Miliband at Westminister, he was asked by the British media about Olympic security issues and the error over the North Korean team flag, in which the country's women's soccer team refused to take the field after a South Korean flag flashed on a screen next to a North Korean player.
Romney replied: 'It is impossible for absolutely no mistakes to occur. Of course there will be errors from time to time, but those are all overshadowed by the extraordinary demonstrations of courage, character and determination by the athletes.
Prime Minister David Cameron also called the incident an 'honest mistake.'
The former Massachusetts governor said: 'My experience with regards to the Olympics is it is impossible for absolutely no mistakes to occur.
'Of course there will be errors from time to time, but those are all overshadowed by the extraordinary demonstrations of courage, character and determination by the athletes.
'The games are, after all, about the athletes, the volunteers and the people of the community that come together to celebrate those athletes. They are not about the Organising Committee.
'And as soon as the sporting events begin, we all forget the organisers and focus on the athletes.'
In the NBC interview, Romney has been referring to the shortcomings of G4S, a private security company, which provided thousands fewer staff than were expected, leading the armed forces to step in to help, and a threatened strike by immigration officers that was called off at the eleventh hour.
Talking shop: GOP presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney meets with British Labour Leader Ed Miliband during Romney's first foreign visit of his campaign
Romney also toured the Great Pavilion exhibit with Foreign Secretary William Hague before heading to Downing Street for a private meeting with Prime Minister Cameron.
DID HE MISTAKE HIM FOR KIM JONG-IL? ROMNEY CALLS LABOUR CHIEF 'MR LEADER'
In a cringe-worthy moment on just his second day in London, Mitt Romney committed his first transatlantic political faux pas.
The gaffe occurred as he met with British opposition leader Ed Miliband as the Houses of Parliament when Romney awkwardly said:
'Like you, Mr Leader, I look forward to our conversation this morning.'
'Mr Leader' is not to be confused with the 'Dear Leader' moniker for North Korea's Kim Jong-Il.
While Romney likely had only the best of intentions, 'Mr Miliband' would have been just fine for the Labour Party leader.
Romney is not the first - and certainly won’t be the last - to commit a blunder in the face of British leaders.
President Barack Obama was left red-faced last year when he proposed a toast to Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.
But as Obama spoke, the orchestra began playing ‘God Save the Queen,’ and the president shunned Royal etiquette as he continued speaking over the music.
He also met with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and was later scheduled to sit down with Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne.
But it wasn't all about pleasantries.
Romney was the subject of a Twitter rant by veteran NBC News White House correspondent and political director Chuck Todd, who chided the candidate for taking questions from British reporters, but not their American counterparts.
Mr Todd tweeted: 'Can't believe Romney took questions from the British press corps but not from my colleagues traveling overseas with him. Bad form'.
In another post, Mr Todd said: 'Whether you love or hate us in the media; you should want your leaders to at least submit themselves to questions'.
Three hours later, after Romney took queries from U.S. journalists outside 10 Downing Street, Mr Todd tweeted: 'Glad to see Romney took a few questions just now from the traveling press corps.'
In the evening, the candidate held a fundraiser at the Mandarin Oriental hotel that raised over $2million.
It attracted employees of Barclays, which has been in the spotlight after becoming the first bank to admit its employees were involved in manipulating a key interest rate index.
Reports of Barclays' links to the Romney campaign drew the attention of some members of the House of Commons, who called on 'Barclays and its executives to cease fundraising for political candidates immediately and to concentrate entirely on repairing confidence and trust in the banking system instead.'
Romney took questions from the donors who had gathered in a ballroom at the hotel in the Knightsbridge neighbourhood of London.
Asked about how he would deal with banking regulation, Romney said the Republican Party has sometimes made a 'mistake' in focusing too much on deregulation - but that a sweeping banking overhaul passed in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis went too far.
'I believe Dodd-Frank has gone beyond what was appropriate,' Romney said of the banking bill.
Making friends: Romney shakes hands with British Prime Minister David Cameron during their meeting at 10 Downing Street
Photo op: Romney has a conversation with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg during their meeting
At No. 10: Romney was also photographed outside of 10 Downing Street before a meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron
Romney will also be holding fundraisers using the spirit of the Olympic season to put a spotlight on his time managing the 2002 Salt Lake City games.
Breaking bread with British officials is typically one of the first priorities of any new president, and establishing those relationships beforehand can help smooth the transition.
It's not unusual for American presidential candidates to meet with British leaders during the campaign; Obama did so when he took a trip abroad as the likely Democratic nominee in 2008.
Romney's week-long overseas trip will also take him to Israel and Poland.
Video: Mitt Romney backtracks of his criticism of the Olympics
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
London 2012 Olympics: Beijing still suffering from Olympic fever, four years on - Daily Telegraph Blogs
The stunning, landmark Olympic arena will be centre stage this evening, hosting an event that has prompted spectators to travel far and wide to witness the rare opportunity to get close to their sporting heroes, yet Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium will not feel like the centre of the sporting universe on this occasion.
Manchester City play Arsenal in Beijing’s iconic Olympic Stadium at 8pm local time on Friday evening, a game which is expected to attract 55,000 supporters – a sell-out of the tickets made available – and it is a fixture that has genuinely caught the attention of the locals.
Yet four years on from being the focal point of the world’s gaze when it hosted the 2008 Olympics, Beijing and the Bird’s Nest will feel like the wrong place at the wrong time when City kick-off against Arsene Wenger’s team.
For the two clubs, there is no fear of this fixture being overlooked back home amid the wall-to-wall coverage of the opening ceremony of London 2012.
Cynically or not, this game is all about appealing to an audience far beyond north London and east Manchester, so column inches and airtime in China and the rest of the Far East are all that matter for City and Arsenal.
But while Beijing readies itself for a glamour clash between two of the Premier League’s leading clubs, does it still have the Olympic bug that it caught four years ago?
Does London 2012 actually matter in China or was Beijing 2008 the end of the line in terms of interest in the so-called ‘greatest show on Earth?’
A glance at the back pages of the Chinese newspapers, both domestic and English-language, plus a flick through the television channels suggests that, yes, the Olympics are big news in the world’s most populated nation.
Walk through the shopping malls of Wangfujing and, again, it is clear to see that the Olympics, rather than football, lead the agenda.
China topped the gold medal table at Beijing 2008 with 51 – 15 clear of the United States in second place – and they appear determined to promote the various sports stars charged with maintaining their place at Olympic summit.
The vast Nike store in Wangfujing, all four floors of it, is dominated by images of Liu Xiang, the 110m metre hurdler, who was denied gold in Beijing due to injury.
There are also huge posters of the gymnasts Zou Kai and Yao Jinnan in the five-floor Li-Ning sportswear outlet and imposing images of Lin Dan, China’s badminton golden boy.
Coverage of the Olympics this week has been dominated by news that NBA star Yi Jianlian, who currently plays for the Dallas Mavericks, will emulate Yao Ming by carrying the flag at the opening ceremony in London.
With a seven-hour time difference to overcome, which ensures that the pyrotechnics in London will not begin until 4am Beijing time, keeping the Games at the forefront of minds in China will not be easy.
But while City against Arsenal has caught the attention, it is the events that will take place 5000 miles away over the next two weeks in London that appear to dominate the sporting agenda in Beijing.
Source: blogs.telegraph.co.uk
London Set For Olympics Opening Spectacular - Sky.com
A potential worldwide audience of billions will watch the Olympic Games get under way later with a £27m opening ceremony.
In a matter of hours, the Isles of Wonder spectacular will welcome the world to east London as the build-up of the last few months suddenly becomes an Olympic movement.
Opening ceremony director Danny Boyle has dedicated the extravaganza to the 15,000 volunteers helping to bring it to life as organisers said they expected a sell-out crowd of 62,000 in the audience at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.
He said: "This is a live performance and it's the actors, and in our case they're volunteers, who have to get up there and do it."
Speaking at the Olympic Park, the Oscar-winning filmmaker added: "It's been a long road and we're almost there. I'm looking forward to it very much."
Organisers Locog said just 50 tickets were left for the ceremony, which starts at 9pm.
Earlier, thousands of people lined the River Thames to cheer the Olympic torch as it made its way to the end of its journey at the Olympic Park.
And bells rang out across the UK this morning to mark the final countdown. London's Big Ben was joined by hundreds of churches across the nation as it chimed non-stop for three minutes to ring in the Games.
Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain was ready to welcome "the greatest show on Earth", telling reporters: "We have got a great past, a very exciting future and this is a great moment for our country, so we must seize it."
Mayor of London Boris Johnson told Sky's Adam Boulton the build-up to the Games had been an "amazing thing".
"You're seeing a kind of benign contagion passing from person to person," he said. "Not necessarily infecting everybody... there are some people who remain impervious to the joy of the torch and I can understand that.
"But it is a wonderful thing to see."
Many of those heading towards the Olympic Park were beset by transport problems, with main line train and Tube delays causing hold-ups in and around the capital.
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt was also involved in a mishap and narrowly missed injuring bystanders as he rung an Olympic bell and its handle flew off during celebrations on the banks of the Thames.
He later told Sky News the Games were "the longest single advert for Britain in our history".
Mystery still surrounds who will be given the honour of lighting the Olympic flame.
The Queen, Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Roger Bannister, Daley Thompson and David Beckham have all been touted as contenders but organisers have managed to keep it secret.
Beckham made a surprise appearance at London's City Hall, where the torch relay neared the end of its journey, and spoke of his pride at helping to bring the Games to his home turf.
The 37-year-old, who was raised in east London, said: "Today is going to be an amazing moment."
Anticipation has rippled through the crowds visiting the Olympic Park.
American sports fan Rod Coffee, from Miami, told Sky News: "It has already outlived my expectation you guys have done an amazing job."
Antonia Nkemnacho, who lives in Stratford, added: "I am very pleased to be welcoming the world, you don't feel like going to the West End now because what we have here makes you feel proud."
The pace of change in this corner of east London has been extraordinary. In seven years industrial wasteland has been transformed into a festival site incorporating the very best sporting facilities.
Although the early rounds of some competitions are already under way, tonight's show gives the athletes a chance to announce their nation's arrival at London 2012.
Jamaican 4x400M relay runner Dominique Blake told Sky News: "It is just a really amazing sense of pride that you carry and it is a memory you will remember for the rest of your life. It's awesome!"
Source: news.sky.com
Jack Straw’s backing for Appeal Court’s ruling as Muslim leader loses Sharia law fight - Lancashire Telegraph
Jack Straw’s backing for Appeal Court’s ruling as Muslim leader loses Sharia law fight
11:40am Friday 27th July 2012 in News By Bill Jacobs, Local government reporter
LAWYERS say a landmark Appeal Court judgement that an Islamic leader must pay his ex-wife maintenance shows Muslims they must respect the British legal system.
Blackburn MP Jack Straw and Bastwell councillor Ifthakar Hussain agreed the case had major implications for East Lancashire’s Muslims.
In a test case of Muslim Sharia and UK matrimonial law, Lord Justice Ward said that believing maintenance for ex-spouses was ‘illegitimate or illegal according to Islamic culture’ was not valid in English courts.
Dr Zaid Al-Saffar, a hospital consultant and head of the Scarborough Islamic Society, had two children with wife Hanan before they split in 2008.
The couple’s financial dispute was originally heard by District Judge Alison Jones at the County Court in Blackburn, where Mrs Al-Saffar now lives, in May 2008.
Judge Jones refused to accept his view in traditional Muslim societies there is often no expectation that ex-husbands pay maintenance to ex-wives, ordering Dr Al-Saffar to pay £60,000 for her contribution to the marriage.
That decision was upheld by Circuit Judge Alan Booth in February and confirmed earlier this week by Lord Justice Ward at London’s Appeal Court.
Kaleel Anwar, a specialist in Islamic legal matters at London solicitors Russel, Jones and Walker, said: “This case shows that if there is a conflict between Sharia law and English law, English law takes precedence.
“If Muslims want to incorporate Sharia principles into legal or matrimonial agreements they should consult a solicitor who will tell them whether this is possible and if it is help them to do it.”
Ian Brunt, of Farley’s solicitors in Blackburn agreed. He said: “Dr Al-Saffar was unwise to rely on Sharia law. If anyone wishes to incorporate Sharia or Islamic principles into a UK legal agreement they need to see a solicitor.”
Mr Straw said: “Dr Al-Saffar was ill-advised to rely on Sharia law. There is only one law of the land which applies to everyone.”
Coun Hussain said: “This case shows that in any conflict in this country between Sharia law and English law, English law will take precedence.”
Source: www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk
London Olympics 2012: Danny Boyle excited for the volunteers ahead of the greatest show of his career - Daily Telegraph
"Directors really just sit at the back, but this is a live performance and they are the ones who have to go out there and do it.
"Any nervousness I feel is for them, and the excitement I feel I hope they share."
Boyle said it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all involved.
“I’m looking forward to it, it will never come round again, so it’s very exciting.”
The final moments of the Opening Ceremony, including the lighting of the cauldron, remain secret, with bookmakers taking bets on the Queen, as well as Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Roger Bannister.
Boyle is determined that it should remain secret.
The ceremony is “heading for a sell-out” according to the London organising committee, with just 50 tickets left by lunchtime.
As Boyle made his final preparations the Olympic torch completed the penultimate leg of its journey from Olympia to Stratford by river, travelling from Hampton Court Palace to the Tower of London aboard the royal barge Gloriana.
With more than 130 world leaders gathering in London for the Opening Ceremony, prime minister David Cameron said it was an opportunity to show the world “the best of Britain”.
“It's very exciting ... I think it's a great opportunity to show the world the best of Britain, a country that's got an incredibly rich past but actually a very exciting and vibrant future,” he said.
“Somebody asked me yesterday what face of Britain I wanted to put forward, Blur or the beefeaters, and frankly it's both.
"We have got a great past, a very exciting future and this is a great moment for our country, so we must seize it.”
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
London 2012: Usain Bolt says he is ready as Olympics begins - BBC News
Usain Bolt says he has overcome injury problems and is ready to defend his Olympic titles as London 2012 gets ready for the opening ceremony.
Friday night's three-hour spectacle in the Olympic Stadium is expected to be viewed by a billion people worldwide.
More than 10,000 athletes from 204 nations will take part in the Games.
And Bolt, who promises to be one of the star attractions in the 100m & 200m, said: "This is the moment that is going to define my entire life."
Usain Bolt wins three gold medals at the Beijing 2008 Olympics
He added: "A lot of people say I am a legend, but this is going to define me as a legend."
The reigning 100m and 200m champion was beaten in both events at the Jamaican trials by training partner Yohan Blake and has been struggling with back and hamstring problems in the build up to the Games.
"I think I am probably 95% fit but I am in great shape," Bolt told BBC sports editor David Bond.
Bolt, who will be Jamaica's flag bearer at the opening ceremony, also hinted he may go for four golds by running in the 4x400m relay, as well as the 4x100m.
"If I feel like I'm up to it after the 200m, then why not? For my country, I would do it, if it was necessary," he said.
Bolt's fitness has been a source of speculation following his defeats by Blake. But the 25-year-old says he is fully focused on the Olympics.
"It is perhaps no surprise that I found a slightly more humble Bolt when I interviewed him, just a day before he was due to carry the Jamaican flag at the opening ceremony."
"It's always a wake-up call to get beaten. It opened my eyes and I sat down to rethink a few things," he said.
Bolt was speaking four years to the day since he smashed the 100m world record at the 2008 Beijing Games with a time of 9.69 seconds, despite slowing to celebrate yards from the finish line.
He broke his own record a year later with a time of 9.58 secs at the World Championships in Berlin, before losing the world title to Blake in 2011 when he was disqualified after a false start.
Bolt also spoke to the media at an event in east London, which featured countryman and fellow sprinter Asafa Powell.
He said: "The vibe is good and I am happy. I am always ready. For me, I keep telling you guys it's always about the championships, it's never about one run, never about the trials."
See how the men's 100m and 200m sprint world records have progressed over time with BBC Sport's Olympic graphics.
The smile was back on the face of the sprinter, as he entertained the world's media, but he admitted it has not always been easy to keep it there.
"I've been through so much, with niggles and problems, and I have to do a lot of sponsorship stuff as well," he said.
"There are so many different things that I have to do and I have got to keep focused on going out there and competing and training every day.
"It's getting harder and harder just to smile because there is so much on my mind, worrying if everything is going to come together and a few other things.
"But I think I am more confident now that everything is feeling better, so I can smile more now and I am looking forward to it."
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
London gears up for Olympics opening ceremony but first 'Javelin' train leaves late - Daily Mail
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As London prepares for tonight's Olympics opening ceremony, the streets of the capital have been swelling with millions of visitors soaking up the atmosphere.
And the capital's transport system is also bracing itself for the increase in users.
The high-speed 'Javelin' train service operating to and from the Olympic Park got off to something of an inauspicious start when the first official train departed five minutes late.
Late: Passengers wait to board the high-speed Javelin train serving the Olympic Park in Stratford
The Southeastern train company had designated the 7.04am from St Pancras station in London to the Park in Stratford as the beginning of the service. But the 140mph Japanese-built train did not leave until 7.09am.
Once under way, the train raced to Stratford International Station in east London in under seven minutes.
Eight Javelin trains an hour will run between St Pancras and Stratford and Ebbsfleet International station in North Kent during the Olympics.
Security: Police officers board the Javelin train - Southeastern expects to transport 25,000 people an hour to and from Stratford
Between 11pm and 1.59am there will be 12 trains an hour, with a half-hourly shuttle between Stratford and St Pancras between 2am and 5am.
The service will run until Sunday August 12 and will operate for the Paralympics from Wednesday August 29 to Sunday September 9.
Southeastern expects to transport 25,000 people an hour to and from the Olympic Park. Those with Games' travelcards can use them on the service.
On the roads, more work was to be carried out overnight on the M4, a key route carrying people to the Olympics.
Procession: The Olympic Flame burns in the cauldron on the royal barge Gloriana as it makes it way down the River Thames towards Richmond Bridge
The Highways Agency said that both the M4 link roads to the anti-clockwise M25 were to be closed overnight between midnight and 5am, while only one lane would be open on the anti-clockwise M25 at junction 15.
The work was set to involve replacing three faulty signals, and other routine maintenance was also to be carried out. A spokesman last night advised all road users to allow plenty of time for their journeys.
He said: 'This work is not connected to the recent repair work on the Boston Manor Viaduct which is near junction two and is also not connected to the operation of the M4 Games Lane which operates for 3.5 miles eastbound between junctions three and two.'
He added that visitors arriving at Heathrow, travelling from the airport to London, would not be affected.
Work on the viaduct recently involved closure of a stretch of the M4 for a week after cracks were found.
The latest disruption was not the only problem on the roads.
It was revealed earlier this week that the first day of Olympics-only traffic Games Lanes caused congestion for rush-hour drivers.
There were jams on a number of roads as a total of 30 miles of Games Lanes were introduced as part of the 109-mile Olympic Route Network (ORN) around London.
The lanes, in operation from 6am to midnight throughout the Olympics, run alongside existing lanes and are clearly marked.
Officials said that London's roads would be at capacity or close to it throughout the days of the Games.
In preparation for tonight's event, Westfield Stratford City will be closed to the public from 3pm and shoppers were warned not to visit the area unless they had a ticket to the ceremony.
Meanwhile, excitement about the event was palpable in the capital as bells rang out across the country as the final countdown began.
At 8:12am, Big Ben was joined by hundreds of churches across the nation as it chimed non-stop for three minutes to ring in the Games.
Prime Minister David Cameron said the country must show the world 'the best of Britain' over the next two weeks after describing previews of tonight's 27 million opening ceremony as 'spine-tingling'.
Lighting up: Olympic gold medallist rower Matthew Pinsent lights the cauldron on the Royal row barge
Mr Cameron pledged Britain was ready to welcome the 'greatest show on earth' after U.S. presidential hopeful Mitt Romney cast doubt upon the country's readiness yesterday.
'It's very exciting, I think there is a huge sense of excitement and anticipation because Britain is ready to welcome the greatest show on earth,' Mr Cameron said. 'It's going to be an incredible few weeks for our country.'
The Olympic torch made its way down the Thames today in a procession that echoed the pomp and pageantry of the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant.
Oar-some: 16 rowers on the Gloriana took turns to power the vessel including two men who took part in the 1948 Games
The million-pound Gloriana - the boat that carried the Queen on her procession down the capital's mighty waterway - led a scaled-down flotilla of more than 50 boats.
The vessel was powered by 16 oarsmen ranging from members of London Youth Rowing to two men in their 90s who took part in the 1948 Games.
Many gold medal-winning rowers from past Games were set to take part in the procession, including James Cracknell, Jonny Searle and Martin Cross.
The torch is on the final leg of its 70-day, 8,000-mile journey around the United Kingdom ahead of tonight's ceremony, when it will be carried into the Olympic Stadium and the flame lit by a mystery VIP.
The last land-based torch bearer was four-time Olympic gold medalist Matthew Pinsent, who carried it from Hampton Court Palace to the royal barge. Pinsent held the flame aloft before lighting a ceremonial cauldron on board.
The last torchbearer of the day will be Amber Charles, 22, from Newham, east London, who delivered London's Olympic bid to members of the International Olympic Committee in 2004.
She will carry the flame to Tower Bridge, arriving at 12.45pm, before it is taken to City Hall, where it will remain out of public view until the opening ceremony begins.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
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