Games 'could leave no sporting legacy'

THE 2012 Olympic Games could leave little or no sporting legacy unless major investment is put into grassroots organisations now, an influential committee warned today.

The London Assembly's Economic Development, Culture and Sport committee said Boris Johnson's plans were at risk of failure.

Chairman Dee Doocey told the Standard: "I have concerns about delivery. I have no doubt he wants to have a sporting legacy but unless somebody starts putting some money in very quickly I can't see how it can be done." Ms Doocey was speaking ahead of an evidence session today with Kate Hoey, the Mayor's Commissioner for Sport. The former sports minister, will be under pressure to explain how she will boost participation in sport in the capital without substantial extra funds.

The Mayor is expected to announce additional money when he unveils his sporting legacy strategy next month but there are fears it will not be enough.

Assembly members are worried gaps in the provision of sports facilities are unlikely to be tackled by 2012 and if new facilities open, there will not be enough cash to guarantee their future public use. Ms Doocey said: "Sports clubs are losing money through movement of Lottery funds to the Olympics. My concern is there's nobody making any provision at all. There are just little pockets of things happening. Kate is desperate to do something but even she will eventually concede there isn't enough money."

Ms Doocey warned Mr Johnson unless he could guarantee a significant sporting legacy he should be careful about making the promise. "If he can't deliver he must be honest about it," she said.