IOC investigates incentive packages

Olympic watchdogs are investigating a £15m (€22m) incentives package being offered by London as part of their bid for the 2012 Games, it was announced today.

The IOC’s ethics commission, which polices the rules governing bidding cities, are scrutinising the offer of free full-fare economy flights, phone calls and train travel for all 10,500 athletes should London win.

Ethics commissioners are also studying New York’s offer to provide free marketing support in the USA for every single Olympic sport in the build-up to 2012.

IOC communications director Giselle Davies said: “The ethics commission is having a look at this to clarify matters.”

Under bidding rules, cities are not allowed to announce any schemes not included in their official bid documents submitted in November.

London 2012 communications director Mike Lee insisted the details announced in three charters yesterday had been included in their bid file.

Lee said: “Clarification of this sort is normal and we are very comfortable with the proposals we have made. They are clearly identified in the budget.”

London are also offering each of the 200 national Olympic committees a £26,500 (€38,900) credit towards the cost of using a UK training camp, while technical delegates from international federations will be given free accommodation and expenses in the year before the Games.