Book Description

In this review, the success of the Games is underlined - the opening and closing ceremonies and 11 million tickets sold, LOCCOG met the challenge of recruiting and deploying 70,000 volunteers and medal targets were exceeded. The review also stresses the importance of building on that success to deliver the promised legacy benefits. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has managed the £9.3 billion Public Sector Funding Package since 2005. There is likely to be a £377 million underspend, though the final position depends on the accuracy of assumptions about remaining expenditure and will not be known precisely until 2014. The final cost of converting the Athletes' Village, and of settling outstanding contracts with suppliers remains uncertain. Operational costs within the package increased, with £500 million additional costs for venue security. The final cost of the Olympic Delivery Authority's programme to build the venues and associated infrastructure is expected to be around £6.7 billion, compared to the £8.1 billion that was originally available to it. The Cabinet Office now has central responsibility, with numerous organisations responsible for particular aspects of the legacy, for coordinating and assuring delivery of the legacy. Whilst future use of the Olympic Stadium is still uncertain, most venues and facilities on the Olympic Park now have an agreed long-term use and legacy tenant. The NAO also recommends that the valuable skills in project management, contracting and risk management gained by officials who have worked on the Games be deployed on other public sector projects.