Olympics will live forever, London hopes

The Beijing Olympics were nearly perfect. The English just want to make theirs last a little longer.

Sebastian Wood, Britain's ambassador to China, claims the country will stage the most sustainable Olympic Games ever in London this summer.

"In London, our aim is to have the most sustainable Olympic Games ever, a real legacy Olympics," Wood told China Daily during a celebration at Beijing Sports University on Wednesday to begin the 100-day countdown to the Games.

"Everything that is being built and designed in London will be recycled or continue to have an economic use after the Olympics."

Wood took office in Beijing in January 2010.

According to the Agence France-Presse, the British government has invested $14.8 billion to host the Games, more than four times the original estimate.

Although the budgetary issues have generated some criticism from the media, Wood shrugged it off while stressing most of the venues will benefit the region long after the Games are over.

The main facility will be the new 200-hectare Olympic Park, which is being constructed on a former industrial site at Stratford in east London. The organizing committee will also make use of venues that were already in place to cut expenses. The Park will be redeveloped to become a modern industrial center for high-tech enterprises and companies, while the main Olympic stadium will become the home arena for one of London's Premier League clubs, Wood said.

Wood had nothing but praise for Beijing's Olympic facilities.

"I know the facilities for the Beijing Olympics are still big tourist attractions," Wood said. "Of course you have a great sporting legacy. Your athletes delivered peak performance in 2008 and China is now well established as a world power in sport."

China topped the Beijing Olympics medal tally with a record 51 gold medals, while Britain finished fourth with 19.

Wood didn't expect his country to be a legitimate threat to win the gold count in London, but vowed it would beat close rival Australia.

"I am not sure what the exact target is, but it's very important for the UK to beat Australia as we have a particularly close rivalry in sports with Australia," Wood said.

The Australian delegation competed fiercely against the British contingent in several events including sailing, swimming and rowing, and ended up fifth with 14 gold medals in 2008.

"The UK athletes did well in Beijing, so I am quite confident they will do well at home as well," Wood said.

During the event on Wednesday, Wood visited with Chinese Olympians who are training at the University's venue, and introduced students and media to a screening of "Game Changer", a short film about preparations for the Games.

The highlight of the event was an Olympic-themed relay and 100m-sprint race, which were organized to symbolize the journey through all 30 Olympiads to the present one.

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn