This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/26/mitt-romney-london-olympic-games
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Mitt Romney questions London's readiness for Olympic Games | Mitt Romney questions London's readiness for Olympic Games |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The US presidential candidate Mitt Romney has questioned the readiness of London 2012, saying there have been "disconcerting signs" in the buildup to the Games – but said the focus would soon switch to celebrating the athletes. | The US presidential candidate Mitt Romney has questioned the readiness of London 2012, saying there have been "disconcerting signs" in the buildup to the Games – but said the focus would soon switch to celebrating the athletes. |
| Before meetings with David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband on Thursday, he told US television: "It is hard to know just how well it will turn out." | Before meetings with David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband on Thursday, he told US television: "It is hard to know just how well it will turn out." |
| Romney told NBC News: "There are a few things that were disconcerting. The stories about the private security firm not having enough people, the supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials – that obviously is not something which is encouraging." | Romney told NBC News: "There are a few things that were disconcerting. The stories about the private security firm not having enough people, the supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials – that obviously is not something which is encouraging." |
| In the interview he also called into question whether the British people were behind the Games. | In the interview he also called into question whether the British people were behind the Games. |
| "Do they come together and celebrate the Olympic moment? And that's something which we only find out once the Games actually begin," he said. | "Do they come together and celebrate the Olympic moment? And that's something which we only find out once the Games actually begin," he said. |
| But his remarks were more diplomatic when he met Miliband in Westminster on Thursday morning. The Labour leader greeted Romney, who was chief executive of the Salt Lake City winter Olympics in 2002, by saying he was "sure you share our excitement about the Games". | But his remarks were more diplomatic when he met Miliband in Westminster on Thursday morning. The Labour leader greeted Romney, who was chief executive of the Salt Lake City winter Olympics in 2002, by saying he was "sure you share our excitement about the Games". |
| Romney replied: "Absolutely. The weather could not be better, fortunately the sunshine is out, the warmth is here, the athletes have arrived and the torch is about to come into London and I know the spirit of the people in this community will welcome the athletes of the world. | Romney replied: "Absolutely. The weather could not be better, fortunately the sunshine is out, the warmth is here, the athletes have arrived and the torch is about to come into London and I know the spirit of the people in this community will welcome the athletes of the world. |
| "My experience is that this event will change the hearts of many, many people; anyone who gets the opportunity to touch the Olympics will long remember the kind of service they can provide to the people of the world and remember the heroics of the athletes themselves." | |
| Referring to the diplomatic blunder in which South Korea's flag displayed instead of North Korea's at an Olympic football game, Romney said from his experience it was impossible for "absolutely no mistakes to occur". | |
| "Of course there will be errors from time to time but those are all overshadowed by the extraordinary demonstrations of courage, character and determination by the athletes," he said. | "Of course there will be errors from time to time but those are all overshadowed by the extraordinary demonstrations of courage, character and determination by the athletes," he said. |
| "The Games are, after all, about the athletes; the volunteers and the people of the community come together to celebrate those athletes. They're not about the organising committee, and as soon as the sporting events begin we all forget the organisers and focus on the athletes." |