Poll Shows British Support For 2012 Olympics

A new nationwide survey suggests public enthusiasm for London staging the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012 now stands at 78% - with more people interested in London 2012 and more believing that the Games will have a positive impact on their own lives and local communities.

The poll also indicates that Britain's strong showing in the Beijing Games has led to 66% of those responding becoming more enthusiastic about London 2012 - and it reveals a high level of confidence (76%) that the UK will stage a successful Games in four years time.

The 78% pleased that London is hosting the Games compares with 76% in the previous survey a year ago. Strongest support came in Northern Ireland (89 per cent), among 35-44 year olds (85%), 25-34 year olds (84% and in London (84%). The biggest increases were in the West Midlands and East Midlands, both up by 10 percentage points, to 81% and 78% respectively.

Even where enthusiasm was lowest, over two-thirds were pleased that London was hosting the Games. Among people over 65, and in Scotland, support was put at 69%.

Tessa Jowell, Olympics Minister, welcomed the poll's findings: "The support of people across the UK for the Olympics and Paralympics is an important expression of our hope that London 2012 will be everyone's Games. People are enthusiastic, interested and confident that we will stage a fantastic spectacle.

"They recognise the huge progress there has been in 2008 - starting construction on the two biggest venues months ahead of schedule, raising millions through private sector sponsorship and passing the halfway point in lottery ticket sales to pay for the facilities and infrastructure," she said.

"The challenge now is to maintain this progress in 2009 without faltering and I have no doubt it will be another year of achievement. But not for one moment do we take the public's support for granted."

(JM)