The command post exercise, which will be a medium-cost, medium-overhead training exercise, begins today and will run until Thursday (April 26).

It will simulate a number of critical incidents that could happen during the Olympic or Paralympic Games and will test how different agencies work together to deal with them in a swift and effective manner.

The operation comes after two previous command post exercises that are part of a wider testing programme being run by London 2012 in partnership with the Government to look at all aspects of delivering the Games with minimum disruption.

"Obviously nothing can fully prepare us for the reality of hosting the world's biggest sporting event," said Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Jeremy Hunt (pictured).

"But we really want to make sure we do all we can to ensure we deliver an Olympics and Paralympics that are as safe and secure as possible, while also making sure everyone involved has a great time."

This week's test will replicate the eighth, ninth and tenth days of the Olympics which will take place on August 4 and 6.


The period is set to be the busiest of the entire London 2012 Games as the three days will see 26 sports taking place across 14 venues, including beach volleyball at Horse Guards Parade, triathlon in Hyde Park and tennis at Wimbledon.

The command post exercise will involve London 2012, the Government, emergency services, local councils, health providers and transport operators.

It will test the effectiveness, resilience and decision-making capability of key Games-time command and control structures and processes.

These will include communication between the Games organisers, the Government and other partners, as well as communication with the media, the general public and operational staff.

All of the command post exercises to date have been relatively low profile in contrast to the London Prepares series which is the official London 2012 sports testing programme.

The London Prepares series is allowing London 2012 to test vital areas of operation ahead of the Olympics and Paralympics through hosting world-class sporting events both in London's iconic existing venues for the Games and the brand new venues in the Olympic Park.

The London Prepares series began last May with the Olympic and Paralympic marathon test events in central London and it will conclude officially on May 8 with the Paralympic athletics test event at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.

"The London Prepares series is essentially about putting our plans into practice," said London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton.

"These events are our opportunity to try out our new venues, test new technology and equipment and walk our extended teams through their roles and responsibilities."

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