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Keep an eye on 2012 during this World Cup summer

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Adrian Warner | 11:45 UK time, Tuesday, 11 May 2010

Next month I won't be heading to report on the for the first time in my career.

It's going to be strange watching the tournament from home for the first time since 1986 when I juggled my university finals exams with late-night sessions in front of a cheap, black-and-white TV watching the finals - and that - from Mexico.

But I can honestly say, that after five World Cups, I won't miss it.

And, one of the reasons is that the next few months are going to see some serious developments in the preparations for and beyond.

I'm not talking about this month's launch of the , about which 2012 are getting very excited.

As a father, I've had to buy most of the mascots from the 12 Olympics I've covered, so one more cuddly toy in our playroom at home won't make any difference.

Anyway, what usually happens with the mascot is 24 hours of the media attacking it for being silly and then we all get on with the rest of our lives.

So 2012 officials, can you stop worrying about your mascot launch so much, please?

What you should be focusing on is your and the challenge of getting more under-18s involved in it.

We are going to hear more about the 70,000 volunteers needed this summer and it is a key part of the Games.

2012's controversial decision to put a general minimum age of 18 has already caused a major stir, as I have reported, and it is going to continue to do so unless organisers solve it and get a programme in place to make sure our teenagers have a place in what we are told are Games for Britain's young people.

Velodrome for the 2012 Olympics

But this summer we are also going to see the venues really taking shape.

Take a look at the , for example. It won't be long before it's finished. The main stadium is racing along and so is the Aquatic Centre.

And we are also going to get more information this summer about what is going to happen to the Park after the Games.

Now there's been a series of reports recently saying there have been more than 100 groups interested in taking over the stadium after the Games.

Let's not get too carried away by the numbers. I was told the other day that some of the parties interested were just journalists logging onto the website to get information.

So the reality is that only a .

, , the owners of the nearby o2 arena, and are all reported to be interested. And I'm told rugby club, who play their games at Watford at the moment, are also back in the market again.

And what's interesting is that many of these groups are already holding talks with each other - and with athletics chiefs - to put forward possible joint bids.

I've always believed the rugby option has more chance of success than the West Ham one.

That's because Premiership football matches could bring in 50,000 to 60,000 spectators into the Olympic Park every other weekend and many of them are going to spend their time at the before kickoff.

I know people who doubt that will work in an upmarket shopping centre which is hoping to lure in thousands of people every weekend. Rugby crowds will be much smaller.

And people forget how important Westfield is in this equation.

It is right at the centre of the Park and close to all the transport links. And it will be the biggest employer too so any plans for the Park have to work with the centre.

Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    I must say I can't see an easier way for Mr Cameron to want to instil a sense of community duty in teenagers than allowing them to participate in 2012. Sure, safeguards. Sure, standards and checks. Sure, in loco parentis terms and conditions.

    But there must be a common sense way of letting it happen.

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