Coe celebrates countdown

London 2012 chairman Lord Sebastian Coe insists the 1,000 day countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games is something to celebrate.

Saturday marks 1,000 days to go until the event gets underway, and Coe is adamant that everyone involved in the Games will work tirelessly throughout the countdown to make the event a success.

"Reaching 1,000 days to go gives us an opportunity to celebrate," he said. "Millions of people are already inspired by, benefiting from or delivering

London 2012.

"Over the next 1,000 days our teams will put their heart and soul into ensuring the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012 are a spectacular success and deliver a tangible legacy for future generations."

Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, has revealed he is impressed with the preparations for the Games so far.

"The Olympic Games are a massive undertaking," said Rogge.

"They require a real team effort to bring together all the elements that allow the best athletes from 205 National Olympic Committees to compete and fans worldwide to be inspired by their exploits.

"The people involved in London 2012 have so far done a magnificent job in preparing for the Games. Whether volunteers, senior officials or ordinary people in the street - who support the Games and their local athletes - they are all helping to ensure that London 2012 will be a great success.

"The London Games are inspiring people across the globe through sport and in the next 1,000 days the IOC will continue to work closely with the organisers to ensure that the inspiration continues, as we all prepare for a spectacular Games in 2012."

Concerns

Olympic Delivery Authority chairman John Armitt is convinced that the Games will deliver value for money, despite concerns raised on a number of occasions regarding the funding and scale of the project.

"With 1,000 days to go until the opening ceremony we are on track and within budget," said Armitt.

"Over 7,000 people are now working on the Olympic Park and Athletes Village and together the team is putting in place the foundations for the sustainable regeneration for the residents of east London.

"Construction is surging ahead, not just on the new sports venues needed for 2012 but also on infrastructure and transport improvements. As we have said many times, 75p in every pound we are spending is for long-term legacy.

"The next phase will be a challenging one across the site but also an exciting one as the Park really starts to take shape.

"I remain confident that we will deliver a world-class stage for the athletes, that LOCOG (the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games) will stage a brilliant Games and together we will leave a lasting legacy for the people of London and the UK for decades to come."