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UEL looks forward to 2012 Olympic Games as Sydney celebrates 10 year anniversary

Tuesday 14 September 2010

Athletes

This week marks the tenth anniversary of the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000. Preparations for the 2012 Games are well underway at the University of East London but the 10-year anniversary is an important reminder for London to remember the importance of the legacy that lives on after the Games.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Patrick McGhee says, “We are really looking forward to having the Olympic Games at our doorstep in 2012. The Olympic Park is taking shape in Stratford, and we hope to see the transformation of East London continue well after the Games.”

“We should remember the original rationale of hosting the Olympic Games was to kick start the regeneration of East London. UEL is working with the Olympic Park Legacy Company to ensure that the local communities will ultimately benefit from investment and infrastructure in the long term.

“Sydney offers a great guide with some real successes and high ideals but one or two mistakes. London should learn from these and ensure we do not repeat. The games are always an experiment in city-building; let’s learn from Sydney’s to ensure there is a legacy beyond physical buildings so that communities, small businesses and residents really benefit.”

With campuses located in close proximity to the Olympic Park in Stratford, UEL will play an important role in the Games – hosting the United States Olympic Committee, offering Olympics modules, Olympic and Paralympic research, implementing local sport development initiatives and educating a number of Olympic hopefuls including sprinter Jeffrey Lawal-Balogun.

UEL is also looking to enhance the legacy of the Games through developing sport opportunities for students, fostering knowledge exchange with future host-cities through the London East Research Institute and possibly utilising parts of the Olympic Park for teaching after the Games.

Professor McGhee concluded: "2012 is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of millions for generations to come. When we look back in 2022 to the legacy of the London Olympics I am confident we will see the benefits of partnership, and the unique contribution that comes from harnessing the strengths of education, community engagement, enterprise, research and the promotion of sport at all levels.”

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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