Seb Coe said he wanted all the athletes leaving London after the Games to feel that everything possible had been done to provide them with the best platform for their performances. His teams were now focusing on some detailed issues, particularly around service provision for the athletes. The objectives for ticket sales would be met: to fill the stadiums, to meet affordability criteria ( two thirds of tickets, he said, were priced at £50 or less) and to meet revenue targets. And ticket sales for the Paralympics were the strongest ever achieved. In response to a question from a Japanese TV network Seb Coe said that in order to succeed in its bid for the 2020 Games Tokyo would need to show Hurculean strength and resilience. Tokyo must create a vision, and be very clear about how it could use the Games for the benefit of the whole of Japan.

London 2012’s objectives would be met: to inspire a generation, involve more children and young people in sport, and to transform an unregenerated area of London. Sadly, he said, there was nothing he could do about the weather, but he knew from the torch relay that there were millions of people in the UK excited about the coming Games, eager to help and get involved. He was proud to live in a country where the spirit of generosity was so extraordinary. -- Christopher Wyld