2012 Olympics
On 6th July 2005, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that London would host the 2012 Olympics. London won its bid on the back of three factors:
a) its status as a global city with one of the world's most culturally and ethnically diverse populations;
b) its focus upon regenerating one of the poorest areas of the city, which is on-going, where the Olympics have a specific role to play in providing a legacy of amenities for local people;
c) a focus upon children as the benefactors of the Olympics, and the inspiration that could link nations through sport.
London's bid was focused upon a complete re-brand and re-construction of a brownfield site along the Lea Valley in east London. A range of new facilities is currently being built in the area. The central hub will be the Olympic Park, parallel to the Lea River, which will contain several Olympic venues located within walking distance of each other.