Capital city still feeling effects of London 2012 Olympics six years on

National Lottery investment into major sporting events in London has generated more than £130m since the 2012 Olympic Games, UK Sport has revealed.
The Olympic Flag is carried in during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)The Olympic Flag is carried in during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
The Olympic Flag is carried in during the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. (Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

Six years to the day since the opening ceremony, research was released yesterday to show London 2012 has left a successful and strong legacy.

Over 1.3 million people have attended 25 National Lottery-funded events in the capital since then, with the 2017 Athletics World Championships at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park providing the biggest boost at £79m.

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The 2013 Triathlon World Grand Final in Hyde Park (£8m), the 2016 UCI Track Cycling World Championships at the Lee Valley VeloPark (£3m) and the 2016 European Aquatics Championships at the London Aquatics Centre (£5m) were also supported by UK Sport.

Fireworks mark the opening of the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony (Picture: PA)Fireworks mark the opening of the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony (Picture: PA)
Fireworks mark the opening of the London Olympic Games 2012 Opening Ceremony (Picture: PA)

International Olympic Committee Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi said: “We congratulate London and UK Sport on continuing to deliver an impactful Games legacy that is adding value to the city and its citizens six years on from hosting the Games.

“This is a great example of how the Olympic Games can transform lives and provide diverse long-term benefits for a city for years and decades to come.”

UK Sport will continue to bring events to the country, investing almost £30m up to 2025.

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UK Sport head of major events Esther Britten added: “Six years on from London 2012, it is fantastic to demonstrate such a strong major events legacy from the Olympic and Paralympic Games and our work in this area has significantly enhanced our international reputation.

“Every London 2012 venue has hosted world-class competition since the Games, while they have also been open to the general public, allowing people of all ages to use the same arenas as their inspirational Olympic and Paralympic heroes.”

One of the venues is in use currently with the hockey stadium at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park stagin gthe women’s hockey World Cup.