'Pub Olympics' to boost bid

Pubs should stage their own Olympics as part of the effort to bring the 2012 Games to London, an influential report recommends today.

Two think tanks close to the Government, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and Demos, said all communities in Britain should be involved in the bid and the Games. Strategies would include a "Street Olympics", with neighbourhoods holding their own sporting events in leisure facilities, community centres, and even pubs.

The report also urges a ?20 levy on every passenger flying into London airports to pay for environmental programmes.

It aims to ensure London's bid offers the best "legacy": the benefits the Games leave to the city and nation that hosts them. It is a key factor used to choose the host city.

The report also suggests an annual "Schools Olympics"; an International Olympic Corps of young volunteers who would work abroad for a year spreading Olympic ideals; and training schemes for unemployed people living near the Olympic complex in Stratford.

London's bid will be sent to the International Olympic Committee next month. The IOC will choose the host city early next year.