Desmond Tutu visits Olympic Park and pledges support for London 2012

08/02/10

The London 2012 team welcomed Archbishop Desmond Tutu to east London, who was given a tour of the Olympic Park site and expressed his belief that the London 2012 Games will inspire people across the world.

At the Park, the Archbishop met children from schools in the five Host Boroughs, Olympic Park workers and members of the local community, including the Young Mayor of Newham and two young people from Walthamstow who have helped transform their local area through the London 2012 Changing Places programme.

The Archbishop, who was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his role as a unifying leader figure in the campaign to resolve the problem of apartheid in South Africa, is here in London to take part in the inaugural London 2012 Diversity and Inclusion speaker series.

As part of his visit to London, the Archbishop will be present when Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), Paul Deighton, CEO, as well as heads of departments, sign the London 2012 Diversity and Inclusion pledge.

This pledge demonstrates LOCOG’s commitment to creating the most diverse and inclusive Games ever.

Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said:

"Such is the diversity of London, that this city is probably one of the only few in the world where every competing nation in 2012 will feel that they have a home crowd.

"Sport has a real role to play in healing and bringing a nation together. We are thrilled that Archbishop Desmond Tutu could come and see the progress London 2012 is making, not only on the Olympic Park, but also in terms of our diversity and inclusion work."

Archbishop Tutu added:

"I spent part of my time first as a student at King’s College here in London and later at the World Council of Churches and it is very exciting today to see how the Games are a catalyst for change in this part of London and how they will deliver a lasting social, economic and sporting legacy.

"As a South African, I know how much sport can help bring different people and nations together. I feel strongly that the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will be a fantastic celebration of the many different communities and cultures which exist in London and the rest of the UK and will bring everyone together."