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• Reference: 2003/0299
• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

What role will existing London sporting facilities play in the Olympics and is modernisation a key element of bid preparation? .

• Reference: 2003/0302
• Question by: Samantha Heath
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

How can we make sure that the benefits of developments for the Games are felt by the whole of London? .

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

Thank you for that, Barbara. But, let me just push you. Are you saying that at this stage you do not envisage any large infrastructural build? I say this because I had a meeting with a number of people across London and they find that hard to believe, given what we have seen from other Olympics, and given what we have seen in Barcelona, when that stadium was not used; and given that we know that the Sydney stadium is empty unless there is a major game. So it is about assurance. Londoners would be quite happy if you are...

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

I have two colleagues whose constituencies are in east London and they have some questions. Before I hand over to them, let me just ask a question. How can we use the transforming power of young people in our inner city areas, especially young people from ethnic minority communities, who, at their best, are some of the best sports performers, We note your appointment of Dalton Grant. Can you just tell us how you are actually going to put together a programme to include them from now, rather than call them at the ninth hour? Surely, now is an opportunity...

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

Thank you, Chair. I have two quick points. One is the size of the stadium, because there is some speculation that because it is only required to be so large for the opening ceremony that if the opening ceremony were done differently then the stadium could be smaller. I wonder if you can comment on that possibility or where your thinking is on that? Secondly, there is the issue of legacy funding, particularly for sporting groups in London. I know it is not a requirement for the technical bid questionnaire for January, but have you had any thoughts yet about...

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

I just want to persist with this question of the opportunity to complement what is happening with engaging more people and many more young people in sporting activity and making much better use of the existing facilities. We have lost 27 of London's 39 lidos. We have lost nine swimming pools. We have lost six square kilometres of playing fields. We are still losing these sorts of facilities at the moment. It is very important to know from you how you will promote the use of existing facilities and what share of the £1.2 billion we will get.

• Question by: Samantha Heath
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

Thanks very much. As you said, you have learnt from other Games, and I am really pleased that you have said that. The Sydney Games in particular was given a bronze medal by Greenpeace for its sustainability. What medal are you going for and what medal would you be happy with in terms of sustainability for these Games?

• Question by: Samantha Heath
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

So would you be happy with the bronze medal?

• Question by: Samantha Heath
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

Yes, the best practice for 2012 as I understood what you said earlier on. In terms of 2012 sustainability and environmental issues, the carbon dioxide targets that the Assembly set for London did indicate that we should have developments being carbon neutral to comply with national and international targets on carbon dioxide. So do you think we could go for some kind of carbon neutrality for the Games?

• Question by: Samantha Heath
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

But do you think we would win the Games if we went for 2005 standards? Do you think we need to improve on Sydney? Presumably we do if we want to win.