The Government and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) have established the Nations and Regions Group to ensure UK-wide engagement and to maximise the legacy for London 2012. This group works directly with representatives from each of the nations and English regions to maximise the sporting, economic, and cultural benefits of the 2012 games. Some examples of how Birmingham and the West Midlands region are benefiting from the games are given as follows.
Both the American and Jamaican track and field teams will be based in Birmingham in the run-up to the games.
West Midlands businesses are already benefiting from the games. To date, 213 businesses in the region have won contracts through CompeteFor. To date 53 businesses have won direct contracts with the Olympic Delivery Authority. This includes a contract for the construction of the Olympic Park’s primary sewer and pumping station, and for the manufacture and installation of the security fence and gates around the park.
The region has been awarded 20 Inspire Marks, the non-commercial brand for programmes inspired by the games. So far, the West Midlands region has also had over 1,046 schools register on ‘Get Set’, LOCOG’s domestic education programme for London 2012.
Over £6 million worth of funding has been secured to support an extensive programme of events and cultural activity across the West Midlands region in the run-up to 2012 including £2.2 million from the Legacy Trust to fund programmes to bring people together for community activities of all kinds.