Government Says Backing for London Olympics is Up

Despite the effects of the economic downturn, the Government claimed yesterday that public enthusiasm for the London Olympics and Paralympics in 2012 had increased nationwide due to the stellar performance of Team GB in Beijing.

An independent survey for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport revealed that overall public enthusiasm for London 2012 had risen slightly in the past year, with 78% of the population "pleased that London is hosting the games" and more than three-quarters "confident" the UK would stage a successful games.

The strongest support for the games was in Northern Ireland (89%), followed by London (84%). The biggest increases in support were recorded in the West Midlands and the East Midlands, both up 10% on the previous year to 81% and 78% respectively. Enthusiasm was lowest in Scotland among those aged over 65, at 69%.

But when asked about the effect of the Games on their own lives, respondents remained circumspect. Although an improvement of eight percentage points on the previous year, just 30% believed the games would have a positive impact on their lives.

Olympics minister Tessa Jowell and Charles Allen, chair of the London 2012 nations and regions group, yesterday sought to convince a committee of MPs that the benefits of the games would be felt throughout the country.

Allen told the Culture, Media and Sport select committee that "our aim is to make this everyone's Games", detailing how the presence of international squads at training camps throughout the country would generate excitement and promising a new scheme involving football clubs as a means of introducing young people to new sports.

The achievements of British athletes in Beijing have dramatically boosted medal expectations for the London games. More than eight in 10 of those surveyed believed British athletes could improve on the Beijing total of 19 gold medals and fourth place in the medal table, and 42 gold medals and second place at the Paralympic Games, in London.

A year ago, only 42% of those surveyed believed that Team GB could achieve fourth place in the medal table. "The challenge now is to maintain this progress in 2009 without faltering and I have no doubt it will be another year of achievement," said Jowell. "But not for one moment do we take the public's support for granted."