As the Olympic Park hosts a series of events designed to stretch its systems ahead of London 2012, Keme Nzerem concludes that the prospect of a wet summer appears to be the organisers’ main concern.
It was slightly unfortunate that no sooner did Lord Coe alight on the Olympic Park, than the heavy skies that had been threatening to open all morning did exactly that, writes Channel 4 News Sports Reporter Keme Nzerem.
“We are sorry to announce that the wheelchair tennis event has been suspended,” announced the Tannoy.
“Locog’s greatest failing – being unable to control the weather,” I suggested to Coe as he was ushered towards a now slightly damp gaggle of journalists and TV crews. He rolled his eyes and held his hands to the skies.
That Lord Coe was able to brush away the only real criticism of Locog’s biggest test so far is testament to a seven-year operation.
That he was able to brush away – with a wry smile – the only real criticism of Locog’s biggest test so far is testament to a seven-year operation that has largely passed off without incident. Notwithstanding an increase to the security and opening ceremony budgets, the London Olympics are on time and, broadly speaking, being delivered as promised.
And while rapier missiles on Blackheath might feel a little excessive right now, Locog’s CEO, Paul Deighton, told me this morning that overseas visitors are unlikely to know they are even there, let alone have a strong view on the matter.
This weekend is the pinch-point for a week of test events designed to stretch the Olympic Park’s systems and emulate as closely as possible the busiest periods of the summer games.
There are sports today in the stadium, the hockey stadium, the water polo arena, the wheelchair tennis venue, as well as some other temporary locations introduced to check ticketing, security and wheelchair access.
And the verdict so far? You only have to look at Seb Coe’s demeanour. “One question each,” his press handlers instructed us. But, of course, Coe answered more, and with good humour too. A few raindrops and a very English summer appear to be, at the moment at least, pretty much the sum total of their worries.