NON-TRADITIONAL STRUCTURES
OLYMPIC OVERLAY
Crispin Andrews looks at how existing venues will be converted to host the London Olympics
D
espite the superb sporting after the 1988 Games and Sydney rea- of competitors and their support staff,
spectacle and the fabulous feel lised a AUD$300m (£166m) profit after the world’s media, heads of state and
good factor it provides, in the the 2000 Games. other VIPs from around the globe – not
long run, whether an Olym- With 2012 firmly in its sights, London to mention thousands of enthusiastic sup-
pic Games turns out to be a blessing or already possesses a host of high-quality porters who will be pouring through the
a millstone for its host country tends to sporting facilities and many other areas turnstiles – also need to be met. All of
rest on financial considerations. that organisers hope will, for a short this must be done in a way that doesn’t
After the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, time, become extremely atmospheric bring the capital to a grinding halt and al-
the city faced debts for 30 years. Taking Olympic venues. Making existing stadia lows each venue to continue to carry out
over construction when it became evi- such as Lord’s Cricket Ground, Wimble- its day job without too much disruption
dent in 1975 that work had fallen don and Earl’s Court, as well as iconic when the Games are over.
far behind schedule; the Quebec pro- sites such as Greenwich Park, Horse Utilising temporary venues outside the
vincial government mandated the city Guards Parade and the Royal Artillery Olympic Park will also be crucial to en-
to foot the billion dollar bill in full. The Barracks fit for purpose, holds the key to sure the sustainability of the new build
C$1.61bn (£950m) costs of the Olym- a successful and financially viable Olym- venues post 2012.
pic Stadium or ‘big owe’ as it became pic spectacle in three years’ time. “This is not just a Wimbledon fort-
known, were not met until 2006. Even night or a one-day FA Cup Final, what
then, the stadium didn’t actually get Temporary Venues is in essence the world championships
an effective retractable roof and the There’s more to overlaying temporary of 26 sports will be taking place all over
tower wasn’t completed, until after structures at these venues than install- the city simultaneously in 34 venues,”
the Olympics had finished. ing a few thousand seats and lining up a says James Bulley director of venues and
Other Games have been more suc- couple of car parks with portable toilets infrastructure for the London Organis-
cessful – the 1984 Los Angeles showcase however. Not only must the playing arena ing Committee of the Olympic Games
ended with a US$250m (£156m) surplus, be of a high enough standard to house a (LOCOG). “And three weeks after the
Seoul was US$300m (£188m) in the black sport’s Blue Riband event, but the needs Closing Ceremony we’ll be doing it all
over again for 20 Paralympic sports.”
An artist’s impression of Horse Guards Paul Deighton, LOCOG’s chief execu-
Parade hosting the beach volleyball event tive, adds: “Our aim is to construct a cost
Issue 4 2009 © cybertrek 2009 Read Sports Management online
sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 41
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