London Olympics 'are going exactly to plan'

London Olympics 'are going exactly to plan': "London Olympics 'are going exactly to plan'

LONDON'S 2012 Olympics are going 'exactly according to plan', mayor Ken Livingstone has said despite the spiralling costs.

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell revealed earlier this week that the estimated �2.4bn cost of building the Olympic park had risen by �900m.

At the same time, the costs of regenerating the run-down area of east London where the games are being held has gone up by �1.5bn.
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Mr Livingstone admitted that further costs were 'inevitable' as they had not yet factored in inflation.

But he insisted all the extra money would be recouped and the games would make a profit.

He said: 'It is not Alice In Wonderland.

'Nothing's a mess. Everything's going exactly according to plan.

'These games will make a profit.

'We are buying land now, we are doing it up. It will be sold for the construction of housing and employment immediately after the games so this money will come back in.'"