91热爆

By Adrian Warner

91热爆 LONDON's Olympics Correspondent

It's now less than five years to go before the biggest sporting show on the planet comes to London.

One thing has become clear in the last few weeks from our conversations with senior figures in sport and politics and with communities in east London: It's time to put in place the detailed plans which will help the Games change the face of both the capital and British sport.

Critics says London 2012 and the Government have got to stop the talk and start the action in three key areas - the Olympic Stadium, grassroots sport and 2012 jobs in east London.

STADIUM ROOF

At the heart of the project is the Olympic Stadium in Stratford. The design of the 80,000-capacity stadium has still to be unveiled but we have learned that, despite this year's summer of rain, London 2012 chiefs are thinking of leaving some of the stands uncovered.

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell says the decision is linked to worries that a completely enclosed stadium may stop world records being ratified in 2012.

But critics believe it could be hugely embarrassing if spectators get wet at the high profile venue for both the opening and closing ceremonies and the showpiece athletics events.

London 2012 plan to scale down the stadium down from 80,000 to 25,000 seats after the Games for use by both elite and junior athletes. But officials have still yet to meet their promise of finding a long-term anchor tenant such as a football or rugby club.

Critics want a precise plan in the next few months for both the stadium's design and its after-use.

INSPIRING KIDS

A detailed plan is also being demanded on听 London 2012's promise to use the Games to inspire people to take up sport -- a key part of the bid.

Tim Lamb, the former cricket official who now heads the body responsible for grass roots sport -- the CCPR - says it is time for the Government to put together a "properly-coordinated, properly-resourced strategy in order to get more people involved in sport."

Despite more than a decade of Lottery funding, participation in Britain has not increased in the last 12 years and child obesity is still a huge problem.

In an emotional video to the International Olympic Committee at the 2012 vote two years ago, London promised to use the Games to attract children from all over the world into sport.

JOBS PROMISE

The Olympic Delivery Authority and London 2012 have also promised to create 20,000 new jobs on the back of the Games. Nearly half of these will be in the construction industry.

The ODA caused a stir this week when they announced that six "Equality and Inclusion" managers will be appointed to make sure the posts go to people across all the communities in east London.
While everybody wants equal opportunity in the 2012 jobs, critics question whether all the managers are needed.

What is more important is that the ODA and London 2012 deliver their strategy to encourage small businesses and the unemployed to get ready for the Games.

The London Business Network, which acts on behalf of the London Development Agency, the CBI and London First, is currently briefing small businesses on how they can apply for contracts via London 2012's website.

But, although potential suppliers can register their interest from this month, the system for applying for 2012 contracts is unlikely to be up and running before the autumn. Small businesses are going to have to get up to speed quickly if they are going to compete with major international concerns.

Ken Livingstone wants Newham's jobless to gain from the Games but many will need to be trained and ready to roll when the jobs come on line in the next few years.

The ODA have finally got their hands on the Olympic site in the last fortnight and are starting to knock down old factory buildings in preparation to start the construction of the Olympic Park.

But they also need to lay the building blocks in these three crucial areas in the next few months.