Olympic Games 2012: Children

Dr. Kumar
To ask the Minister for the Olympics what steps she is taking to enable deprived children to attend events during the London 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is responsible for the ticketing strategy for the London 2012 games, which will be made public in 2010.

I have held detailed discussions with LOCOG about developing the strategy. We are absolutely committed to making sure that there are tickets for sale at affordable prices for all and for people from around the UK. Some sporting events such as the marathon and road cycling will be free to watch. In addition, LOCOG is already rolling out a network of live sites across the country from now through to 2012 for as many people as possible in the community to watch the games.