29 May 2009
By Paul Dicken
Lottery funding diverted from potential Welsh projects to the 2012 Olympic Games in London should be recouped, MPs have said.
The Commons Welsh affairs select committee said Wales could lose as much as £100m of lottery money, and there was little evidence Welsh businesses were benefiting from supply contracts for the event.
Committee chair Hywel Francis said it was not possible to say how, or even if, Wales would gain from the Olympics. ‘Hardly any events are being held in Wales, despite world-class mountain biking and canoeing facilities. There is a danger that Wales will end up losing out completely if diverted lottery money isn’t recouped quickly.’
However, the report, published on May 22, said there was potential for Wales to contribute to the Games, in particular through disability sports.
A Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokeswoman said Wales was ‘well placed to receive significant benefits from 2012’. Businesses were winning contracts from the Olympic Delivery Authority, paralympic teams would use pre-Games training facilities in Wales and football matches would be hosted in Cardiff.
