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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: 2003/0301
• Question by: Andrew Pelling
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

What role do you see for the National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace in the Olympic bid? .

• 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: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

Perhaps I can come in as the person whose constituency actually includes Crystal Palace. Surely, it would be a pretty untenable Olympic bid that had no role for the one venue in London which is capable of dealing with grand prix athletic sports events. Can I ask again, what specific role do you envisage Crystal Palace playing a) in the run-up to the Games, b) during the Games, and c) as part of the legacy?

• Question by: Andrew Pelling
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

Do you agree that the prospect of the closure of the facility next spring provides a real risk in terms of damaging our bid or our reputation? Do you look to the various members of the GLA family to be supportive in trying to resolve this rather knotty problem? I will ask a second question, if it does not get in the way of others. You mentioned the remoteness of Crystal Palace. Does this then mean that the area I represent of Croydon and Sutton is regarded as being a place that is remote from the Olympic process? Does that...

• Question by: Andrew Pelling
• Meeting date: 15 October 2003

I made the mistake of asking two questions at one time. My first question, in terms of looking to the GLA family to be supportive, and maybe make some intervention, what degree of risk do you see for our Olympic bid if Crystal Palace closes in March next year?