London 'not intimidated' by Beijing Olympics

Olympic flame at the Bird's Nest Stadium

Thursday, 21, Aug 2008 05:19

London is not intimidated by the Beijing Olympics, mayor Boris Johnson has said at a press conference in the Chinese capital.

"I think I speak for millions of people in the UK when I say we have been dazzled, we have been impressed, we have been blown away but we have not been intimidated," Mr Johnson said.

"In our own sweet way, without wasting taxpayers' money, I'm convinced we can do just as well in 2012."

It was typically boisterous press conference with bemused Chinese journalists standing beside their British counterparts.

But Mr Johnson did raise concerns about how London's transport infrastructure would cope with the Games.

"There is a big issue about how you move athletes around," he continued.

The mayor discussed the possibility of using the Thames, but said he was unconvinced it was a "total solution".

Mr Johnson was full of praise for the Chinese organisation of the Games, but said London would have done one thing differently.

Referring to the appearance of young Lin Miaoke on stage at the opening ceremony while the actual singing was provided by the less photogenic Yang Peiyi, Mr Johnson said: "Had it been us staging the Games, I don't think we would necessarily have done the switcheroo with the girl with the braces."

Despite Mr Johnson's humour and praise for the Games, a clearer picture began to emerge of how London would conduct the 2012 Olympics.

Statements from the mayor and various government figures indicate iconic buildings like the Birds' Nest would be substituted for a relatively modest Games focused on regenerating the east end.