By Duncan Mackay

 

November 30 - A proposal to ensure that the word Olympic is retained in the title of the Olympic Park after London has hosted the Games in 2012 has been backed by Sir Craig Reedie.

 

The British Olympic Association (BOA) supports a Government initiative to name the Stratford complex after the Queen, but insists its full title must include Olympic.

 

Under the Government plan, which was first proposed earlier this year by Sir Robin Wales, the Mayor of Newham, one of the five Olympic Host Boroughs, the 250 acre site will be called the Elizabeth Park as a fitting reminder of the Queen, who is due to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
 
The plan has been approved by Downing Street and Buckingham Palace and London Mayor Boris Johnson has also backed it.

 

Andy Hunt, the chief executive of the BOA, has claimed that the mistakes of the previous occasions London hosted the Olympics in 1908 and 1948 must not be repeated.

 

There is no physical reminder of the Games beyond a small a plaque at White City and a few pointers at the Wembley Stadium site - such as Olympic Way- remain of the event 61 years ago.

 

Sir Craig, the former chairman of the BOA and one of the main architects of London's successful bid to host the  2012, Olympics, supports the idea of calling it "Elizabeth Olympic Park" or "Olympic Elizabeth Park".

 

He told insidethegames: "I think one of the great moments in 2012 will be the fact that the Queen, as the highlight of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations, will be able to open the Games.

 

"It's nice that Robin Wales would like to identify the the new Park in East London with the name of the Monarch.

 

"It would be nice if we could get a balance which gave Her Majesty some reward for opening the Games and her 60th year on the throne at the same time.

 

"I think it would be nice to marry the two together.

 

"It gives honour to Her Majesty and it reflects what will post-Games be a reality."

 

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