Inspectors check 2012 preparations
International Olympic inspectors have begun their regular check-up of preparations for the London 2012 Games.
Updates may include plans for test events which are to set begin next year, the ticket pricing scheme announced last month and controversial changes to the marathon route. A trip to the Olympic Park site in Stratford, east London, where 75% of the build is complete is also on the cards.
John Armitt, chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority which is in charge of the build and infrastructure, said: "This year is the toughest in terms of construction and we are at our busiest."
He added: "We will enter 2011 with the confidence that more than three- quarters of the construction project is complete and that all milestones to date have been achieved.
"We remain on schedule and within budget but are not complacent about the challenge that lies ahead."
The three-day visit by the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) co-ordination commission happens twice a year.
Representatives from both the Olympic and Paralympic movement review a range of topics such as commercial, communications and engagement, integrated operational planning, security, transport, culture and volunteers.
Sport, marketing, brand and communication and broadcast are among the topics to be discussed by a Paralympic Games Working Group headed by International Paralympic Committee representative Patrick Jarvis which is due to meet tomorrow.
The inspectors will also look for reassurances that changes to the marathon route are now in place and that organisers are trying to patch up relations with aggrieved east London councils.
Sir Craig Reedie, who sits on the IOC's executive board, said: "In general they are very happy with London's preparations - now they will be wanting the organising committee to move on as quickly as possible with anything outstanding. They will want satisfaction that the changes to the marathon route are in place, and to know what is happening in relation to councils' unhappiness in the East End."
