Bid officials faked construction work to show 'commitment'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.But the bid organisers also went to extraordinary lengths to give the proposed Olympic site, a rundown area outside Stratford, east London, a makeover for the IOC inspection. Officials were particularly keen to show work on the aquatic centre was to go ahead with or without the Games - a sign of government commitment to sport - and hired heavy plant to make the site look busy.
The contractor they hired, the Kent-based firm Erith, had to freight in an excavator from the Isle of Wight at considerable cost to dig a hole on the site. It was filled in a day later when the inspectors had gone.
And the roads of the Lower Lea Valley, usually strewn with mud from delivery lorries, were swept and washed down, and rubble heaps were flattened to improve the views.
"We hadn't seen a dustcart or a street-sweeper round here for 15 years before that," said Seamus Gannon, of the local firm Bedrock. "We haven't seen any since."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments