London 2012 Puts £700m Of Contracts To Tender

The committee organising the London 2012 Olympics is putting around £700m worth of contracts out to tender.

The contracts are broken down into eight categories and range from security to catering, and transport to logistics.

The chairman of the London Olympics' organising committee, Sebastian Coe, said the scale of the contracts on offer was "potentially massive", providing a welcome boost to the local and national economy.

"The organising committee is now at a stage where we move from planning to delivery," he said.

"With less than three years to go, we're starting the procurement process for everything we need to stage a memorable Games.

"The scope of this is potentially massive - from sporting equipment to catering services and beyond."

Lord Coe said 2012 should be just as much about the "bottom line" for businesses as it was about the sports "finishing line".

Businesses that want to win contracts for the Games should go through the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (Locog).

Locog's website, Compete For, will match potential suppliers with games-related business opportunities.

"There are many opportunities for companies of all sizes to get involved with London 2012 - whether it's directly through Locog or through one of our sponsors, stakeholders or suppliers further down the supply chain," said Locog procurement director Gerry Walsh.