By Duncan Mackay in London

July 5 - London 2012 officials were today urged to "work hard, work hard, work hard" by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge as he visited the capital to inspect preparations for the Olympics and Paralympics and to meet Britain's new Prime Minister David Cameron.



Rogge claimed he was not worried about the austerity measures, including £27 million ($38 million) in cuts demanded by the new coalition Government, saying the budget for the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) which is in charge of build and infrastructure is "lean" but "sound".

He was also impressed that work on the showpiece stadium was "so far advanced".

He said: "First priority is to work hard.

"The second priority is to work hard and the third priority is work hard.

"This is the last straight and everyone knows that the last straight is often the hardest one."

Rogge was here as the IOC's Coordination Commission begins a regular three-day check-up of preparations for the London 2012 Games.

His tour of the Olympic Park in Stratford where more than 65 per cent of the venue is already Games-ready, also included a look at the Athletes' Vllage.

Rogge was last at the Olympic Stadium two years ago to mark the anniversary of the 1948 Games, the last time London hosted the event.

The Olympic Park visit saw Rogge help to put in place the 2012th seat in the Olympic Stadium.

Also on hand were Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012,  Denis Oswald, the chairman of the IOC’s Coordination Commission, British IOC member Sir Craig Reedie and some of the children who were present in Singapore for the 2012 vote.

Rogge said: "First of all I am very glad to see how far advanced this [the stadium] is.

"This is a beautiful stadium and I think it is going to be a great legacy for the city.

"I think they [the London organisers] have made a magnificent effort.

"Both LOCOG and the ODA have worked hard in a difficult environment but they have achieved a lot.

"They are on schedule and on budget, which bodes well for the Games.

"I think the budget of the ODA, including the cuts requested by the Government of £27 million ($38 million), is a sound budget.

"Already the ODA have cut costs of £600 million ($906 million).

"They have a lean budget and the same for LOCOCG.

"We are at a point where every pound has to be very well spent."

Rogge then travelled with Coe to Downing Street where he held meetings with Cameron and the new Sports and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson and London Mayor Boris Johnson.



Rogge said: "It is a sign of the government's commitment to the 2012 Games that such a meeting was organised so early in the life of the new government.

"The Prime Minister reassured me of the Government’s continued support for London 2012 and we are looking forward to continuing the bi-partisan approach so vital to a successful Games."

Coe said: "These meetings demonstrate the commitment the Government and the Mayor have to delivering a great Games that will energise the country. 

"Every day we focus on hosting a Games that delivers pride and value for money to the nation and we look forward to taking the IOC through the progress we are making right across this project over the next few days."

Rogge also visited the headquarters of the British Olympic Association (BOA) in Central London. 

While at the BOA, Rogge met with BOA chairman Colin Moynihan (pictured), chief executive Andy Hunt and members of the BOA Board to review Team GB’s preparation and the sports legacy plans for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Moynihan said: "As host National Olympic Committee for the upcoming Olympic Games, we are working closely with our partners at LOCOG, the new government and throughout the entire UK sport system to ensure the 2012 Games deliver a lasting legacy that transforms Olympic and Paralympic sport in our nation. 

"This legacy must include expanded opportunities for participation at every level of sport and programmes such as the competitive school sport initiative, recently announced by Secretaries of State Jeremy Hunt and Michael Gove, will do exactly that."

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