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I believe LOCOG actually....

The route isn't that different to what was originally proposed (the original route was a repeated loop mostly around central London with only the final leg in the East End before it entered the stadium).

I don't believe for a second that LOCOG would be so in thrall of the TV networks that they'd go out of their way to instead choose a route with really no more landmarks than the original, and on top of that sacrifice their stadium finish! The logistical explanation therefore is the only one that makes any sense.

I can understand why Tower Hamlets are unhappy about this - and they have every righ to be, but I don't think it should be taken as a personal slight against them or the borough (as one Labour MP claimed). I happen to think the route is worse than the original one, mainly because we lose the stadium finish, so I think the reasoning behind this change has to be stronger than either suggestions that the TV networks are behind it or, worse, that LOCOG is ashamed of having the very final leg in the East End.

As someone who lives in the East End and works in a primary school in Tower Hamlets I am disgusted about what has happened in regards to the marathon. I was anticipating watching, and discussing with the children at my school, one of the blue ribbon olympic events coming through the borough. It would have been a fantastic course, different, vibrant and of course finishing in the stadium itself. Instead we get boring loops round central London. Yawn.

If logistics are a problem, why was that the chosen route in the first place? I don't believe for a second there wouldn't be any other way round these 'problems' other than moving the course.

I am still eagerly awaiting the Olympics. I just feel some of the shine has now been taken off. It will be a lot less satisfying discussing the event with the children I teach, when none of the events will take place in their part of London.

There are many problems with choosing a marathon route. The race is long and has to be 26.2 miles long. Usually you choose the start and finish line and work from there.
However, this is a very difficult process. Due to roadwork and many other factors, your route can be altered or changed. This means you have to work with numerous local agencies (councils, police etc) to check every aspect of the route. In short it is a very difficult and tedious task-you cannot just draw a line from A to B.
To me it seems the organizers have gone for a more compressed route and I suspect security has come in to consideration-a condensed course with laps is easier to manage from every logistical view.

Having organized 5K and 10K road races, I can tell you it is very difficult-especially in London where you may have to deal with several boroughs. I am sure the organizers had good intentions, but the full picture may be more complex than this story suggests.

There has been a London Marathon over more or less the same course as is being proposed for over 20 years with many thousands more competitors taking part each year than will be running in the Marathon at the Olympic Games in 2012. I can't see any reason not to use the same course as the one that has been tried and tested successfully over so many years and I'm not unduly concerned about what the residents of Tower Hamlets or any other Borough that may be affected by this decision may think. This is the after all about the Olympic Games being held in England, not in a particular part of London.

That being said, it does make a very pleasant change from the usual mentality of nimbyism that pervades every important decision that has to be taken in this country. Have we now invented a new word of d(efinitely)imbyism?

Re NormalforNuneaton,

I think it is usual practice to have a unique route for the Olympic marathon, rather than use the standard annual city route. The fact that there is a mens and womens marathon means two events, so they would have to close the same route twice. The current London Marathon is a very long meander through London, so I don't think it would be practical to close many of those roads during the Olympics schedule. That marathon course is also designed specifically for mass participation-there are long stretches with no spectators.

Overall, for on course spectators, the elite marathon is rather a boring event to watch because you only see 100 athletes once in the 26.2 miles and you do not see how the race unfolds. A condensed course will allow for a better spectator appearance, rather than a 20 second glimpse of 15 athletes in a bunch.

"Denials and broken promises"

We were told it was all about "legacy", now many events are going to be held in temporary arenas.
We are building a state of the art athletics stadium that will be downsized to a minor arena, or even turned into a football ground without maintaining the track.
One of the highlights of the Olympics, the marathon, won't even be going near the stadium and for what reason, it certainly has nothing to do with the BS excuses we're being fed.

How are the people of Tower Hamlets being 'denied' events?
They are having 9.3 billion spent in their own local area, how can they not be happy with that?
I mean the Olympic Stadium is just down the road in Stratford, its benefits will transform the East End.
For the Marathon, its better to have it on a route rather then stretch it out, Barcelona did it for the European Championships.
Ok, they will be going past Big Ben, Buckingham Palace but why stretch it oiut?
You see that parts of the London Marathon dont have spectators, so its good to see people cheering them on a track and they will still get the Medal at the Stadium plus, the screens at the Stadium will probably show it and wont cause trouble for the organisers to try and twinge the events around to accomodate the Olympics.
For the Stadium Ownership, why are Tottenham wanting it?
I thought they were going to build a stadium around their current Ground so why shift from North London to East London where they have no links?
If Tottenham are just doing it to hijack West Ham is silly but to hear it maybe happening to get Haringley Council to allow the redevelopment for WHL is bad publicity for Spurs, a headache for LOGOC and anger from West Ham.
I remember the big news that Chelsea wanted to move to Wembley.so did Arsenal and Tottenham and they never happened...so Tottenhams move to the Stadium would be silly.
Then again, Tottenham dont have good Transport links when Stratford has the whole shabang (Tube, National Rail and Eurostar)....maybe thats another reason..........

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

What Ilove about the good old British media , having holed the Commonwealth games below the waterline .After giving the world cup bid agood kicking ,its new target seems to be the olympics. Iwonder if its possible to put a good spin on proceedings , since most of this blog and its events are circumstancial ,possible outcomes and routine changes that may well change again . Badmouthing major events seems to be a lourno,s staple diet and somewhat depressing since Delhi attendances must in part be down to the media coverage. So if you want to talk 2012 into the ground ..... good job buddy

The whole footballing world knew this was a possibility (Spurs making a bid) and most of us heard it long before you posted it . . . .

However whether or not it will actually happen is another thing altogether - and thus the "I told you so line" is somewhat crass as I could now post that Red rum would win the Grand National - but its of little significance after the race has been run !

But when you get some breaking news as opposed to repeating old news please keep us informed.

Think you should get over your issues.

If you write a blog some idiots always going to criticise, you must expect it.

We don't need to read you patting yourself on the back.

Adrian, Spurs have ZERO intention of moving to the Olympic Stadium despite their phoney and somewhat devious bid with AEG. They made the proposal on the day they finally secured planning permission to redevelop White Hart Lane from the local council and are using the Olympic Stadium ruse to pressure the Government into fast-tracking them past the remaining logistical hurdles still in their way that Arsenal similarily faced with building 'The Emirates'. There's simply no way they could move so far from their fan base for it to work.

Further proof of the lie can be sen by AEG's statement that they would remove the running track...as we know this simply wont happen, so AEG are just putting down a block marker early! I can't see AEG's real reasoning for going in with Tottenham unless they are solely interested in taking over the rest of the park and hope the obvious refusal of the Olympic Park Legacy Company over their joint 'stadium' bid with Spurs will result in a sympathy vote for them acquiring the surrounding infrastructure?

I'd love it for the O.P.L.C. to call both their bluffs and see how quickly they backtrack and withdraw their application.

As for the Marathon surely it's only right a Country uses it's once in a century opportunity to showcase it's best features around the globe, it's what everyone else does.

Any news on the Olympic Stadiums' flame cauldron after we heard Beijing's removed theirs...will West Ham keep it after they regenerate the ground?

Firstly I am disgusted with Tottenham even putting in a proposal to move to the Olympic Stadium. They are a North London team and should stay in North London. These plans are just another of Tottenham's numerous attempts to ruin West Ham football club.

Mostly though I am appalled at the plans to move the marathon route. The East End of London was promised so much, but none of these promises seem to be coming to fruition. The Olympic organizers should be ashamed of themselves. I mean honestly, moving the route because it won't look pretty enough on television! That is disgusting, and Seb Cole should be ashamed!