London Latest - Legacy Chief Leaves, Under Pressure?

(ATR) Pressure from London City Hall may be behind the resignation of the CEO of the London Legacy Development Corporation.

Andrew Altman will leave the company Aug 15, after the Games finish. The Olympic Park will close after the Paralympics to launch the transformation into Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

In a statement released today, Altman says he leaves after accomplishing his goal of creating a new master plan for 10 million square feet (nearly a million square meters) of development as well as five new residential neighborhoods.

After unveiling the timescale for the legacy construction just last month, he added he was proud to lead the project that will transform the face of London and be a "spectacular example of city-building the world over."

However there has been criticism of the LLDC over how it handled the search for a tenant for the Olympic Stadium. After months of legal wrangling, the deadline for tenders was extended last month until after the Games after so few interested parties lodged an official bid.

Altman’s resignation comes just weeks after LLDC chair Margaret Ford left the organization. Shortly after Boris Johnson’s re-election as Mayor, he sidelined Ford and replaced her with Daniel Moylan. Ford had been a strong supporter of Altman, a U.S.-born expert on urban redevelopment.

Altman will officially leave his post on August 15 and will be replaced, temporarily, by Denis Hone who is currently head of the Olympic Delivery Authority.

Last month Boris Johnson said "Andrew Altman has delivered an inspiring vision and a momentum for investment in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park."

Putin Possible for London

Vladimir Putin may attend the London Olympics after all.

Reports surfaced earlier this month claiming the Russian president would skip the Games opening ceremony, apparently as a diplomatic snub to Britain.

That may still be true, but a spokesman for Putin says he is considering attending the Olympic judo tournament. Putin is a judoka.

Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesman, told British media that Putin held informal discussions about the Games during the recent G20 meetings.

"Putin wished Cameron success in hosting the Olympics and said that he is thinking about visiting London on one of the Olympic days to watch a judo tournament," Peskov said. "He will make the decision later."

Olympic Volleyball Schedule Announced

The International Volleyball Federation announced the Olympic volleyball schedule on Tuesday.

Japan will face off against Algeria in the opening match of the women's volleyball tournament on July 28. Making its first appearance in volleyball, Great Britain will play Bulgaria in the opening match of the men's event the following day.

"Following the exciting qualification process we concluded earlier this month we can now confirm the timing of the exciting match ups ahead," FIVB president Jizhong Wei said in a statement.

Click here for the full schedule.

FIVB also confirmed the countries participating in beach volleyball for the Games.

A total of 14 countries qualified to compete.

Brazil, USA and Germany each claimed two spots in both the men's and women's tournaments.

The teams selected to represent each country will be announced by July 9, and drawing for pool assignments will follow July 19.

Click here for the full list of participating countries.

Torch Relay Update

The Olympic Torch travels 150 miles from Hull to York on day 32 of its journey to the London Games.

Princess Beatrice will greet the torchbearers at Harewood House as the Flame is carried through Leeds, one of the 15 communities the Torch will pass through Tuesday.

Torchbearer Harvey Smith will carry the Flame to the evening celebration at York Racecourse on horseback.

Reported in London by Christian Radnedge and in Atlanta by Ed Hula III

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