Proposed 2012 Marathon Route Criticised

23 Sep 2010 | sigadmin

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The East London council has criticised London 2012 organisers for the plans to move the Olympic marathon route to the Mall.??

LOCOG wants to move the finish of the road race from the stadium in Stratford, east London, to the Mall, despite the race traditionally finishing in the main stadium.??

But London Assembly member John Biggs said: ‘The Olympic Games were won on the basis that they were going to be regenerating east London, bringing a fresh face to a rather run-down area part of our capital.

??’It does seem rather ridiculous that the Olympics should turn its back on it for one of the main events.’??

LOCOG insists the move is to create the best spectacle for spectators and to profile the city of London as the new route contains many landmarks.

??Under the proposed new route runners would pass landmarks such as the House of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge.??

Any changes to the route will have to be agreed by the International Olympics Committee, the international athletics body IAAF and several London councils before the final decision is due in October.