Throwing himself into it – Long-jumper Jonathan Edwards reveals Camden Olympic role

Published: 11th November, 2010
by DAN CARRIER

IT’S a hop, skip and a jump from Russell Square to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, according to Jonathan Edwards.

The triple-jump gold medallist is throwing his slender frame behind a bid to make Bloomsbury the centre for the more than 5,000 members of the world’s Press who will descend on London for the 2012 games.

Mr Edwards has been appointed chairman of the Athletes Committee for the games and, in an interview with the New Journal, revealed plans to house the media in hotels and university halls in Camden. 

But the scheme is not without controversy, as the Olympic organisers want to close off sections of roads in the area so they can operate a dedicated 1,500-strong shuttle bus scheme that will operate from Russell Square – if the Town Hall give them planning ­permission.

This week residents and businesses in the area will be able to look at and comment on the plans, which will see lanes closed in Southampton Row, Euston Road and other major routes. Buses will run a 24-hour-a-day service from the square and take journalists to the stadium, to Wembley, to Wimbledon and other venues.

Mr Edwards said: “The media will be working round the clock, 24 hours a day, so they will need a dedicated shuttle service. We need to create a place for the buses to congregate and Russell Square is perfect.”

Mr Edwards said the use of Bloomsbury would bring in business and publicity for the area and its bars, cafés, shops and restaurants.

“Bloomsbury is an attractive place,” he said. “It is in the centre of town, has ­plenty of university and hotel accommodation and it means we do not have to build new facilities.” 

He also cited the short trip to St Pancras, where a high-speed train will whisk people to the stadium in under seven minutes during the games.

Mr Edwards added: “There will be 15,000­athletes, 22,000 accredited media and 5,000 technical officials. It is the equivalent of running 26 world ­championships all at once.”

He said that the rooms had already been block booked and there was no other option available. 

Bloomsbury Association chairman Jim Murray said that the 14-day window during the games was brief enough that even if it did cause disruption, he  felt the area could put up with it. 

He added: “I don’t know if it will bring that much extra business – hotels here generally have 84 per cent occupancy rate anyway, but the Olympics only comes here once every 50-odd years.”