London Latest - British PM Seeks Olympics Boost; Knighthood for Construction Chief

(ATR) British Prime Minister David Cameron believes this summer's Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebration can help lift the country through tough economic times.

"Cameras and TV channels around the planet will be recording these magnificent events. It gives us an extraordinary incentive to look outward, look onwards and to look our best: to feel pride in who we are and what – even in these trying times – we can achieve," Cameron said in a video message to mark the new year.

Confidence in Cameron's coalition government is at an all-time low since he came to power in May 2010. With unemployment forecast to reach 2.85 million by the end of 2012, the highest since 1994, and a struggle to manage the country's debt problem amid the wider Eurozone crisis, he hopes the Olympics can boost the nation's flagging spirits and its international profile.

"This will be the year Britain sees the world and the world sees Britain. It must be the year we go for it – the year the coalition government I lead does everything it takes to get our country up to strength," he said.

"As we welcome the world to the best Olympics ever – and as in the 60th year of her reign we honor our Queen as the finest and most famous example of British dedication, British duty, British steadiness, British tradition – let’s use these things as a mirror of ourselves too, a mirror of the nation.

"Resilient. Realistic. Intelligent. Curious. Enterprising. Inventive. Unswerving. It’s the spirit that has made our universities among the best in the world, our scientists Nobel prize winners, our athletes gold medal winners," he added.

Knighthood for Construction Chief

John Armitt, chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority, was awarded a knighthood in Britain’s New Year Honours List.

Armitt, who is credited with keeping the Olympic build on budget and on schedule, is knighted for his services to engineering and construction. He previously held chief executive posts at Network Rail and Railtrack plc.

There were also honours for LOCOG Board member Charles Allen, knighted for his services to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics and former ODA director ofconstruction, Howard Shiplee, who was awarded a CBE for services to construction.

Armitt, appointed ODA chairman in September 2007, said: "I have been privileged during my career to be supported by many people with whom I share this honour to our industry. I am especially proud of what the industry has achieved in building the Olympic Park.

"That we have been able to keep this project on time and within budget is down to the hard work of the ODA team, our delivery partner and other organisations involved in the delivery of the Games. None of this would have been possible without the knowledge and expertise of the engineering and construction team - from workforce to management."

Praise for Armitt came from LOCOG chair Sebastian Coe among others.

"John has led one of the biggest regeneration projects in the world and has delivered that project on time and within budget," Coe said.

"The success of the project not only showcases British construction and engineering but also lays the platform for a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games. It's only right that John should be recognised for this achievement."

Coe added: "I'm also delighted that Charles Allen should be recognised for the tremendous work he has done as Chair of LOCOG's Nations and Regions Group. His work, both during the bid and since winning, in bringing about the UK-wide benefits of the Games delivers on our promise that the Games should be a catalyst for change throughout the UK."

Ticket Resales Start

LOCOG launches its ticket resale process on Friday.

Those who bought tickets directly from LOCOG before Jan. 6 will be able to resell their tickets via www.tickets.london2012.comuntil Feb. 3.

LOCOG chiefs hope the resale system will be widely used to ensure that venues are full at Games time.

A further window for ticketholders to try and resell any unwanted tickets opens in spring.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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