London Latest - Rising Olympic Security Costs; Royal Team GB Ambassadors

Rising Security Costs

The Olympic venues security budget could increase by $432.52 million to end up being double the original estimate.

The Financial Times reported Thursday that about 23,700 security guards would be recruited to patrol the venues; the Home Office had previously budgeted for 10,000.

Contingency funding within the overall $14.6 billion government budget for the Games would be used to cover the costs.

"Government, LOCOG and G4S are working together to finalize the requirements for Olympic venue security. As with all significant national events, we will make the best and most appropriate use ofavailable resources," a government spokesperson tells Around the Rings.

"We are committed to delivering a safe and secure Games that London, the UK and the world can enjoy.

"The Ministry of Defense has been fully involved in Olympic security planning work and no final decisions have been taken by Ministers on the extent of the armed forces' support to Olympic security."

The government is expected to release more information about the Games security budget in its quarterly report on Olympic preparations next week.

Princes Named Team GB Ambassadors

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as well as Prince Harry will serve as Team GB ambassadors for the 2012 Games.

St. James's Palace announced Thursday that they will play an active role in promoting Britain's athletes and in encouraging the U.K. public to get behind the home nation's stars in the build-up and during the Olympics.

Prince William announced his backing with a message of support for the Team GB Ambition Program that was launched Thursday by the British Olympic Association.

"We are looking forward to this incredible competition. We are also looking beyond next summer's Games to the springboard it will provide for future success and excellence. The athletes and coaches taking part in the Ambition Program are part of that future success - potential medal winners and sources of inspiration to come," he said.

"We hope they enjoy the experience of London 2012 to the full, and learn from it how to become successful British Olympians of the future."

The Team GB Ambition Program, introduced to coincide with the 2008 Beijing Games, focuses on athletes and coaches who aspire to represent Britain at the Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 Olympics. Participants will be nominated by their respective National Governing Bodies; around 200 athletes and coaches will be selected.

They will begin with a two-day stay at the Team GB Prep Camp at Loughborough University. This is followed by three days of hands-on experience in the Olympic Games environment, with a one-day post-Games workshop rounding out the program.

"Athletes and coaches who have succeeded in the Olympic Games often reflect upon the importance of being aware of the complexities and pressures of the Games environment, and having confidence in knowing how to deal with those challenges," said Andy Hunt, Team GB Chef de Mission and BOA chief executive.

"That’s what this program is all about: supporting British athletes and coaches at the highest level of international sport by providing an invaluable introduction to the Olympic environment."

New BOA Board Members

The British Olympic Association has elected six new members to serve as National Governing Body representatives on its board of directors.

They are: Di Ellis, British Rowing; Hew Chalmers, British Curling; Richard Leman, GB Hockey; David Sparkes, British Swimming; Sarah Treseder, Royal Yachting Association;and Niels de Vos, UK Athletics.

At a scheduled BOA board meeting in London this week, members also received updates on the BOA’s preparations for Team GB at London 2012, Sochi 2014 and the Innsbruck 2012 Youth Olympics.

Elizabeth Ferris, an Olympic medalist in diving who has dedicated much of her life to the advancement of opportunities for women and girls in sport both nationally and internationally, was presented with the inaugural BOA Lifetime AchievementAward by BOA president Princess Anne.

Ferris, 71, sprung to sporting fame by winning a bronze medal in 3m springboard diving at the Rome 1960 Olympics. She later became renowned for her research and studies towards achieving gender equity in sport.

Ferris is one of only two remaining original members of the IOC's Women in Sport Commission, which was founded in 1995, and played a key role in launching the World Olympians Association before going on to found the British Olympians Club.

Saying she was honored to accept the award, Ferris added: "Women are almost at parity at the Olympic Games in terms of the number of competitors, only just under half, but we've really made huge strides over the last 15 years in getting female athletes competing on an equal level at the Games.

"Setting up the World Olympians Association was important because it allowed Olympians to go into the community and do all the wonderful activities athletes can do which is beneficial. Other people have taken over the reins now but you could say that I had the vision and developed it. I hope winning this award will encourage girls in sport and show that women have an important role to play.

Paralympics Tickets Back on Sale

Remaining tickets for the London 2012 Paralympics go on sale on a first-come, first-served basis on Friday.

More than a million tickets have already been sold in an earlier sales window, but there are still many tickets available, including sessions featuring "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius at the Olympic Stadium as well as swimming, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.

"Following the unprecedented demand for Paralympic tickets earlier this year, these tickets are a wonderful opportunity to take family and friends to the Games next year - a fantastic Christmas gift," said LOCOG chief executive Paul Deighton.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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