Cassani to lead Olympic bid

Wednesday, 18 June 2003 12:00 AM

American businesswoman Barbara Cassani will head London's bid for the 2012 Olympic Games, officials confirmed today.

The 42-year-old rose to prominence in the UK when she became chief executive of British Airways' no-frills subsidiary, Go, but was left without a job when the airline was taken over by easyJet last year.

She has beaten several high-level contenders to the £200,000-a-year post, including Irish businessman Gerry Robinson and Saatchi & Saatchi CEO, Kevin Roberts, while several other possible candidates withdrew from contention because of the evident pressures of the job.

The Prime Minister's wife, Cherie Booth QC, was overlooked for the role because of concerns about the level of security that would have to be arranged when travelling, and because she was not felt to have the necessary business credentials.

Charles Allen, chair of Granada and of the company responsible for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester last year, will be Ms. Cassani's deputy.

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell announced the appointment today, saying: "Barbara Cassani has the skills, business acumen and drive to give London the best chance to bring the Games to the UK."

Technical details of the bid must be submitted to the International Olympic Committee early next year, after which point a shortlist of candidates will be announced. The final decision will be taken in July 2005.

London will be competing against tough competition including bids from New York, Madrid and Paris.

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