July 24, 2012
On eve of Olympics, Blair justifies US$14.4b cost of games
LONDON, England (AP) — Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has defended his decision to deliver the Olympics to London, maintaining that the event will be value for money despite austerity hitting other public projects.
Blair helped to deliver the games to London in 2005, landing Britain with a £9.3 billion (US$14.4 billion) bill for a project that taxpayers had to foot as the economic crisis took hold after he left office in 2007.
Blair told The Associated Press today that the Olympics, which start Friday, are an “opportunity to showcase modern Britain” and the regeneration of east London.
He added that the period after the London Olympics must be used to ensure that its legacy helps to “change people’s lives.”
