London 2012: Officials move into Olympic and Paralympic Village

Sarah Shaffi, Olympics editor (news) Thursday, July 12, 2012
10:07 AM

The first team officials have started to move into the Olympic and Paralympic Village ahead of the arrival of athletes.

Officials have been arriving since last Monday to familiarise themselves with services in the Village, ahead of the competitors moving in on July 16.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has also announced its full Olympic Village Mayoral Team.

The Village’s mayor, previoously announced, is Charles Allen. He said: “The arrival of team officials marks the beginning of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games for the Village.”

His deputy mayors are shadow cabinet minister Tessa Jowell, Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew, and chairman of the Cultural Olympiad, Tony Hall.

There will be a wider mayoral team including youth representatives from across the UK, who will help with protocol visits, and Olympic and Paralympic representatives who will assist with Team Welcome Ceremonies.

Seb Coe, chairman of LOCOG, said: “We’ve worked hard to ensure that everyone who stays in the Athletes’ Village has all the comfort and convenience they need to prepare for the biggest moment in their sporting careers.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved – the Athletes’ Committee, Village Mayoral team, key partners and our workforce for all their hard work as they prepare to welcome the world’s best athletes on Monday.”

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “The athletes coming to London’s Games have spent years preparing for the competition this summer.

“We are welcoming them to an Athletes’ Village that is secure, comfortable and well-equipped, so that all they have to worry about is their performance when the big day comes.

“And after today’s heroes have returned to the four corners of the world, tomorrow’s Londoners will arrive, enjoying a legacy of outstanding homes on the edge of London’s newest Park for generations to come.”