Support for 2012 Olympics is still high

By Simon Hayes on December 22, 2009 9:38 AM |

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Public support for the 2012 Olympics is still high according to a new survey.

Confidence about staging a successful Games has grown to 79 per cent from 76 per cent last year, with 75 per cent of people pleased London is hosting the showpiece. This compares with 78 per cent in a survey a year ago, conducted following Team GB's success at the Beijing Olympics.

When asked about the benefits of the Games, 78 per cent said they believed the benefits should be wider than just sport, with nearly a third saying they want help for the UK economy to be a long-term benefit from 2012. Increased participation in sport is considered an important benefit by 18 per cent of respondents.

Tessa Jowell, Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, said: "This research shows public confidence that London 2012 will be a success has grown to 79 per cent after another year of good progress across the Olympic programme.

"In a difficult year the Olympics has created jobs and helped to keep order books busy up and down the country, a key factor in maintaining support for the Games.

"But we are not complacent, and nor do we take the public's support for granted. We want London 2012 to be everyone's Games which is why it is important that we know what their priorities are."

The annual survey is the third conducted to help develop plans to maximise the legacy from staging the Games by identifying the public's priorities across a range of issues.