This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scotland backs London Olympic bid
17/01/2005
Scottish Ministers have pledged to support London's bid for the 2012 Olympics and take full advantage of the sporting, business, tourism and cultural spin offs that will arise.
Today at the 'Olympic Opportunities - Raising the Game Across the UK', a conference about how the UK as a whole can benefit from a London Games, Sport Minister Patricia Ferguson said:
"Scotland stands shoulder to shoulder with London in its bid to host the Olympics in 2012.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to reap the rewards that will flow from the biggest sporting event in the world.
"We have gathered a group of experts from the public and private sector to ensure Scotland benefits if London's bid is successful, and several top Scottish athletes have added their support.
"In terms of the tourism industry in Scotland, a successful bid would provide a fantastic opportunity to attract more visitors to our country, and give a heightened profile to our unique scenery, modern, vibrant cities and unrivalled historic buildings and monuments.
"The bid has already benefited Scottish based companies: Navyblue Design Group, won the tender to design London 2012's bid document, and HiFli Banners and Flags are involved in the manufacturing of London 2012's promotional and branding material.
"I will also be meeting Sandra Nori, Minister of Tourism for Sport and Recreation in New South Wales, who was Olympics Minister at the time of the Sydney Olympics 2000. I am sure sharing her experiences will be invaluable in maximising the benefits for Scotland if London gets the Games.
"I believe the Games will provide a gilt-edged opportunity to highlight the unique role and contribution of Scots and Scotland to the heritage and cultural life of the UK."
Other speakers at today's conference include
- Bid Chairman Sebastian Coe
- Secretary for State for Culture, Media and Sport Tessa Jowell
- five times Olympic gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave
- Simon Clegg from the British Olympic Association
- Jude Kelly, head of London 2012's Cultural Programme
- Sandra Nori, Minister of Tourism for Sport and Recreation in New South Wales and Olympics Minister at Sydney 2000
London, along with other Candidate Cities (Madrid, Moscow, New York and Paris), submitted their bids to the IOC on Monday November 15 2004.
The IOC will announce the successful host city during the 117th IOC Session in Singapore on July 6 this year.