Govt 'incompetent' over London 2012

The government turning Olympic designs into reality worries Brits

Friday, 05, Sep 2008 12:00

Confidence in the government's ability to put on a successful Olympic Games remains low, a survey out today suggests.

Research by Opinium Research reveals only 37 per cent think the government is competent in its management of preparations for London 2012.

Only 11 per cent think it is capable of running the project although over half think Team GB's success in Beijing makes them feel more confident about the government.

Opinium's head of research Mark Hodson says people's enthusiasm had been "ignited" by this year's Games in China, but warns that money lies at the heart of their worries about the 2012 event.

"Despite increased information about 2012 during this Olympic period, people continue to have major concerns," he explained.

"Thirty-seven per cent still think that the final budget will be twice as high as the current prediction of £9.4 billion - falling only slightly from 41 per cent prior to these Games and just 12 per cent expect that the London Games will come in 'on budget' or within ten per cent."