LONDON, England ● Businessman Sir Charles Allen has been appointed as mayor of the Olympic Village for the London 2012 Games.
His key duties will include welcoming and hosting guests and dignitaries, speaking at village events and keeping a high profile and approachable presence for athletes, officials and Games Maker volunteers.
Sir Charles, who has been a driving force with London 2012 since the bid was launched, said he was “thrilled” with the posting.
Around 17,000 Olympic and 6,000 Paralympic athletes as well as officials from 204 nations are set to use the village.
Sir Charles’s aim is to create an “outstanding and memorable experience” for residents and visitors, he said.
He was vice chairman of the bid, is a London 2012 non-executive director and chairman of London 2012’s Nations and Regions Group, which promotes the UK-wide benefits of the Games.
He was appointed to London 2012’s ceremonies committee in July 2010 and the organisation’s audit committee in May last year.
He was also chairman of the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games organising committee.
London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said he was “confident he will do a fantastic job”, adding: “Having been involved in London 2012 since the start and as chair of Manchester Commonwealth Games 2002, Charles has a thorough understanding of the Games environment and its complex delivery.”
The appointment was backed by London 2012’s athletes’ committee, chaired by triple jump world record holder Jonathan Edwards and 11-time Paralympic champion Baroness Grey-Thompson, who is vice chairman.