 Coe is delighted the organisers can move forward with their plans |
London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe hailed the Olympic Bill becoming law on Thursday, just nine months after the Games were awarded to the city. The Bill includes measures to stop unauthorised businesses using London 2012 branding and ticket touting.
The new Act also enables the organisers to begin building the venues and improve the transport infrastructure.
Coe said: "This is very welcome news and a tribute to the spirit of cross-party co-operation."
The Bill also creates the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), the public sector body which will be responsible for building the venues and infrastructure for the 2012 Games. Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said: "We have been getting on with the big task in hand and delivering what we promised to the IOC and the people of Britain.
"That 'can do' spirit will continue right through to the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
"We can look forward not just to staging the greatest show on earth in 2012 but to leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come in east London and beyond."
Sports minister Richard Caborn paid tribute to the cross-party support the Bill had received in becoming an Act of Parliament.
He said: "We won the right to stage the 2012 Games as a partnership - between London and the whole UK, the Government and sport, and between all the main political parties."
The new Act also:
Grants the ODA planning powers and the power to purchase and own land. Creates the role of Director of Olympic Transport, within the ODA, who will be in charge of co-ordinating the Olympic transport strategy. Grants the Mayor of London an Olympic-specific power to enable him to fulfil his obligations under the Host City Contract. Restricts opportunities for the commercial exploitation of the Games - giving the ODA powers to conceal or remove advertising and preventing street trading in the vicinity of venues.
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We can look forward to leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come in east London and beyond
London's big day