Wales: Olympic Games 2012
21st June 2011
Dr Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions she has had with the First Minister of the Welsh Government on ensuring that Wales maximises the tourist opportunities of the London 2012 Olympics; and if she will make a statement.
Mr David Jones: The Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), has had discussions with the First Minister on a number of topics, including how to maximise the benefits of the London 2012 Olympic Games for Wales. Wales will host some of the first Olympic Events including the qualifying matches for Football.
The Secretary of State recently met VisitBritain to discuss, among other issues, the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. VisitBritain will be running the “You’re Invited” programme over the next four years, to capitalise on international interest in the recent royal wedding, as well as next year's diamond jubilee, Olympic and Paralympic Games. Their programme aims to attract 4 million extra visitors to the UK, including Wales. This anticipated boost in tourism will support businesses, jobs and growth across the UK.
Dr Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what training camps she expects to be established in Wales in preparation for the London 2012 (a) Olympics and (b) Paralympics; and if she will make a statement.
Mr David Jones: To date, four countries have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Welsh Government that outlines their intention to train in Wales. These include the Olympic team from Trinidad and Tobago and the Paralympic teams of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Welsh facilities will also host training for specific Olympic and Paralympic events, including the:
(a) British Olympic and Paralympic Cycling teams at the Newport velodrome;
(b) US Paralympic Track Cycling team at the Newport velodrome;
(c) Amateur International Boxing Association ‘Road to London’ training
camp at Cardiff university; and
(d) Irish Triathlon team at Swansea university and the surrounding
Gower Peninsular.
It is anticipated that these camps will involve over 700 athletes and support staff who will train in Wales in the weeks leading to the Games with direct investment into the economy potentially running into millions of pounds.
Dr Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent assessment she has made of the (a) economic, (b) social and (c) cultural legacy of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics in Wales; and if she will make a statement.
Mr David Jones: The UK stands to gain from the wide range of opportunities created by the 2012 Games, through businesses winning Games-related work, increased tourism and cultural celebrations. London 2012 has already brought significant new opportunities for UK businesses especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including those in Wales.
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is responsible for developing and building the venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 Games. As of May 2011, over 1,500 UK businesses, including those directly involved in the construction programme, have supplied the ODA from across UK. Thousands of businesses in the UK are working on the Games through supplier contracts worth in excess of £5 billion.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has commissioned an evaluation of the impacts and legacy of the London 2012 Games. An initial evaluation will be published in the spring/summer 2013.
