Worrying noises from Denis Oswald, chairman of the International Olympic Committee’s Coordination Commission and president of the international rowing federation (FISA). In an interview with The Times, he predicted problems in getting around London during the Olympic Games.
The public transport network will have to deal with an estimated 3m extra journeys a day. According to Oswald, delays seem likely: “People should be aware that it will take a long time to get to their competition and they should leave two or three hours before they might otherwise think they need to in order to get there in time”.
Oswald is particularly concerned about how Games organisers will get 30,000 people a day to Eton Dorney, the venue for the rowing and sprint canoeing events. “We are still discussing if they can put more carriages on trains, but that doesn’t seem to be possible. I don’t expect much improvement, so it is important that this is properly communicated: if you are to be there on time, you must start very early,” he added.
