Rogge will join London Mayor Boris Johnson, and London 2012 organising committee (LOCOG) chairman Lord Coe at an event in Trafalgar Square in London to mark the one-year countdown to the Games. In an interview with The Guardian, Rogge supported Sports Minister Hugh Robertson’s recent claim that preparation work is on track.
“Preparations are excellent,” said Rogge. “They are on time, on budget. Quality-wise we have not the slightest concern. There is no doubt about that. London is very well organised, the team is very strong. We are very optimistic.”
Rogge also said he had been told by Robertson that the resignations of the Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson and assistant commissioner John Yates would not disrupt efforts to keep the Games safe. The IOC chief added that security had been a priority since the terrorist attack at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany.
“Since Munich, security has been the No.1 priority for every organising committee,” he said. “This is something that is dealt with in conjunction with the government and public authorities...The Metropolitan police do not depend on one single person. Leadership is very important but I'm sure that given the amount of time in front of us that the leadership issue will be solved rapidly.”
Rogge claimed he was also confident that London could fulfil its legacy aspirations. “There is a great urban legacy in the remediation of east London and Stratford,” Rogge said. “There are going to be great cultural and leisure activities, there is better transport, new housing. I think this is a great legacy. The other legacy is in terms of the appetite and desire for sport. That will be done after the Games.”
