Olympic Legacy

In summer 2012, the eyes of the world will be on London as we host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The sporting events, and the cultural festivals that accompany them, will be an unforgettable experience for participants and spectators alike...the greatest show on earth in the heart of one of the world's greatest cities.

But the impact doesn't stop in 2012. The legacy of hosting the Games - the difference this will make to the lives of people across London and the UK - will last long after the sound of cheers has faded.

A commitment of a lasting legacy of social, physical and economic regeneration was at the heart of London's bid for the 2012 Games, and has underpinned the design of the Olympic Park and venues.

The London Development Agency (LDA) is leading the partnership planning this legacy. This partnership already includes all the key public sector bodies, the five host boroughs, the Mayor of London, the Olympic Delivery Authority, UK government departments, the London 2012 organising committee, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation. But getting the plans right and turning them into reality will be a matter for a wide grouping of local residents, local businesses, investors and other stakeholders from across the public, private and voluntary sectors.

The legacy of the 2012 Games has already started with:

• The regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley
• Consultation events around the post-Games physical transformation of the Olympic Park
• Business support initiatives
• Jobs and skills training
• Cultural and creative programmes
• Sports programmes

Further information about the legacy of the Games can be found on the Legacy Now website.

A Legacy for London

The Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will leave behind great sporting facilities, including swimming pools, cycling facilities and new tennis courts. These will be open for all Londoners to enjoy, and could help to foster the Olympic champions of the future.

The Olympic Games will create thousands of new homes - 9,000 in the Olympic Park alone. Many of these will be affordable for local people.

New schools, family health services and other community facilities will also be built.

Permanent jobs will be created in diverse sectors such as tourism and hospitality; food and media, and the construction industry.

The Games will create the largest new park in London since Victorian times. This park will be as big as Hyde Park and would double the amount of green space currently in the Lower Lea Valley.

The Games will focus attention on London and draw visitors from around the globe. Sydney is still reaping the benefits from the rise in tourism - in 2001 Sydney benefited from £2.3 billion of tourism spend and the Games generated around £1.2 billion in new business benefits, including new sports infrastructure and service contracts.

Volunteering opportunities will help to develop skills for Londoners - a projected 70,000 volunteers would be needed to deliver the Games in London.