Celebrations as London wins Olympic 2012 bid (Swindon Liberal Democrats)

Swindon Liberal Democrats <info@swindonlibdems.org>

Celebrations as London wins Olympic 2012 bid

July 6, 2005 6:37 PM

London celebrates 2012 Olympics bid

Liberal Democrats have joined the rest of the nation in celebrating London as the host city for the Olympic games in 2012. Swindon's Cllr Stan Pajak commented it was 'fantastic news, a time for the nation to celebrate'.

Cllr Stan Pajak, Deputy Leader of Swindon Liberal Democrats said:

"The 2012 Olympics in London is not just fantastic news, it is a time for the nation to celebrate this premier sporting event coming home to England after a break of 60 years."

The last Games were held in London in 1948 when rationing was still in force and Clement Attlee the Prime Minister.

London emerged triumphant over Paris by 54 votes to 50 by a vote of the International Olympic Committee meeting in Singapore.

Charles Kennedy MP said: "This is fantastic news for the whole of Britain. It will unite the country just as it united the three main political parties in its support. The 2012 Olympics will be a great source of inspiration for the next generation of British athletes. I send my congratulations to all of the team who made the bid a reality."
Bath MP, Don Foster said: "I'm delighted that London 2012's passion has brought us the world's premier sporting event. Paris helped stretch our ambitions to the utmost but Seb Coe's outstanding team and overwhelming public support won us the games."

Swindon's Cllr Stan Pajak continued:

"I would like to set Swindon's youth and Swindon's schools a challenge. We should now be aiming for sporting excellence in our town. Pupils starting secondary schools in September this year will be 18 by the time of the 2012 Olympics. And all pupils with sporting ambitions at secondary school now could make our town proud in seven years time. We must stop talk of making cuts in sports education now and in the future and invest time and energy in encouraging success. We should go for Gold in 2012."

Swindon is no stranger to sporting achievement with local born Matt O'Dowd being part of the UK athletic team in Athens 2004. Mr O'Dowd was also the winner of the Swindon half marathon last year.

Cllr Pajak concluded:

"Of course sport is not just for the young, I may be 48 this year, but I have already signed up for Swindon's half marathon in October 2005. I would encourage all locals to get their running shoes on and prepare for our own marathon."

Stan Pajak ran in the Swindon marathon in October 2004 with a time of 1 hour, 40 minutes and 11 seconds. His Lib Dem colleague, Cllr Chris Shepherd also ran the Swindon marathon with a time of 1 hour, 55 minutes and 33 seconds.

For more information on the Swindon Half marathon see: http://www.swindonhalfmarathon.co.uk