London after the Olympics: How the infrastructure built for the Olympics will benefit travellers

A team of 410 Australian athletes competed at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, and with 224 men and 186 women taking part on behalf of our country, this was in the end Australia’s fifth-largest team ever sent abroad to an Olympic Games.

As well as beach volleyballer Natalie Cook becoming the first Australian female athlete to compete at five Olympic Games, there were many excellent efforts from our fellow countrymen and women.

But the real winners are undoubtedly the Londoners and the tourists who will benefit from everything the UK did to ensure the 2012 Summer Olympics went as well as they could on their home turf.

Preparation pays off

The infrastructure and main venues that hosted various Olympic events in London during the 2012 Games were constructed, perhaps quite surprisingly, on time and within budget one year ahead of the opening ceremony this year. In July 2011, and even before that, the world started to hear reports of what would change in London as a result off all the construction.

London invested over £10 million in improvements to more than 75km of key walking and cycling routes in the city, as well as outside of London. All are integrated with transport links, meaning it’s now easier to get around London on two wheels, in a far more eco-friendly manner.

Sustainability is key

London worked hard in an inspiring and beneficial project called Towards a One Planet 2012 with partners BioRegional and WWF, ensuring visitors now and into the future will see that London wants a world that lives within its means. All design and construction of the vast Olympic facilities were based on maximising energy efficiency and maintaining low carbon and local renewable energy sources during the games.

A long-term Athletes’ Village capable of remaining energy self-sufficient, including heating, cooling and power to serve local communities, was constructed with absolute sustainability in mind.

In order to create a sense of community in the new housing being developed, first for the Olympic athletes and then the residents of East London, accessible and affordable facilities and services were also implemented, such as decent rental costs and a serious commitment to ethical business transactions. Good to know that smoggy London won’t be emitting as much bad news as it does now that there’s an eco-friendly plan in action for the ex-Olympic Village.

Let’s impress them with toys

Harrods Toy Kingdom opened an impressive 26,000-square-foot toy department to appeal to the thousands of expected visitors, which will raise a smile from kids big and small. Lucky children who are still small enough can sit inside a gigantic mouth packed with wonky teeth. Thanks to planners intent on making Harrods the best toy shop in the world, little ones can also ride miniature trains and cars in the Wonderland area and dance across rumbling floors.

Let’s impress them with art and sharks

Infamous museum Tate Modern opens The Tanks, a gallery space especially for hosting live performance art. The former oil tanks provide an undeniably dramatic location under what was once a power station. Sixteen sand tiger sharks and blacktips also have a dramatic presence in a new exhibition at Sea Life London Aquarium. The 65-foot tank in this Shark Reef Encounter would put any Olympic swimmer to the test.

Let’s impress them with monuments

The gargantuan 02, a venue that has hosted athletics, boxing and other events during the 2012 Olympics under the new name of North Greenwich Arena is now much more than the city’s most popular stadium. To reel in the public and appeal to tourists this summer, the 02 started offering an external building climb. Picture the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk and you’re kind of there. Visitors can wear a safety harness and take in the skyline on this thrilling 90-minute walk, 175-feet above the ground.

If you’re planning a trip to London or the UK, be sure to call our travel experts who can help you plan the most exciting and cost-effective getaway.

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