Hosting an Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is a huge privilege and challenge for any city or nation. The Games are the largest sporting event in the world, involving people from across the globe.

For Newham, they are far more than a sporting event. They are the chance to make a difference to hundreds of thousands of local people living in one of the poorest areas in the country.

The 2012 Games are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Newham and its residents. The focus and interest in this area of East London will be unprecedented and bring regeneration and investment that would simply not be possible otherwise.