This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18997912#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
London 2012 will show 'Britain can deliver', says PM London 2012 will show 'Britain can deliver', says PM
(40 minutes later)
The London 2012 Olympics will show the world "beyond doubt that Britain can deliver", the prime minister has said.The London 2012 Olympics will show the world "beyond doubt that Britain can deliver", the prime minister has said.
"Look at what we're capable of ... even at a difficult economic time," he said, after US presidential candidate Mitt Romney raised doubts about the Games. "Look at what we're capable of... even at a difficult economic time," he said, after US presidential candidate Mitt Romney raised doubts about the Games.
At the Olympic Park, in east London, David Cameron said: "This is a great moment for us. Let's seize it."At the Olympic Park, in east London, David Cameron said: "This is a great moment for us. Let's seize it."
The BBC's James Pearce says it looks increasingly likely that the opening ceremony on Friday will not sell out.The BBC's James Pearce says it looks increasingly likely that the opening ceremony on Friday will not sell out.
Our Olympics correspondent says spare seats are likely to be filled by troops or children, but a decision will be taken on the day of the ceremony.Our Olympics correspondent says spare seats are likely to be filled by troops or children, but a decision will be taken on the day of the ceremony.
During the news conference, alongside London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe, Mr Cameron said security was his main concern.During the news conference, alongside London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe, Mr Cameron said security was his main concern.
"As prime minister, I feel that is an area I should take personal responsibility for," he said."As prime minister, I feel that is an area I should take personal responsibility for," he said.
"The biggest concern has always got to be a safe and secure Games - that matters more than anything else.""The biggest concern has always got to be a safe and secure Games - that matters more than anything else."
In other news:In other news:
  • The men's football got under way on Thursday, with eight matches taking place, including Britain v Senegal at 20:00 BST (19:00 GMT)
  • A unanimous decision has been made over who will light the Olympic Stadium's cauldron, Games organisers say, but it will be kept secret until the ceremony
  • A global investment conference being held in London on Thursday kicks off a series of business summits intended to showcase the UK and attract investment during the Games
  • It has been predicted Thursday could be Heathrow's busiest ever day, as thousands of spectators arrive on the eve of the Friday's opening ceremony. A strike by border staff, that had been planned for Thursday prompting fears of long queues, was called off at the last-minute by the Public and Commercial Services union
  • On the torch relay's penultimate outing - day 69, which can be followed live here - the flame will pass through Downing Street and be greeted at Buckingham Palace by Princes William and Harry, and the Duchess of Cambridge
  • The men's football is now under way, with eight matches taking place on Thursday, including Britain v Senegal at 20:00 BST (19:00 GMT)
  • The PM is to meet David Beckham at Downing Street later to discuss how to tackle world hunger. It comes ahead of a "hunger summit" on the final day of the Games, Sunday 12 August
  • A unanimous decision has been made over who will light the Olympic Stadium's cauldron, Games organisers say, but it will be kept secret until the ceremony
  • A global investment conference being held in London has kicked off a series of business summits intended to showcase the UK and attract investment during the Games
  • It has been predicted Thursday could be Heathrow's busiest ever day, as thousands of spectators arrive on the eve of the Friday's opening ceremony. A strike by border staff, that had been planned for Thursday, prompting fears of long queues, was called off at the last minute by the Public and Commercial Services Union
    •
  • On the torch relay's penultimate outing - day 69, which can be followed live here - the flame will pass through Downing Street and be greeted at Buckingham Palace by Princes William and Harry, and the Duchess of Cambridge
On Wednesday night, Games organisers apologised to North Korean athletes whose images were shown next to the South Korean flag.On Wednesday night, Games organisers apologised to North Korean athletes whose images were shown next to the South Korean flag.
Mr Cameron played down the flag blunder, which happened on the first day of sporting action, and delayed the women's football match between North Korea and Colombia at Glasgow's Hampden Park by about an hour.Mr Cameron played down the flag blunder, which happened on the first day of sporting action, and delayed the women's football match between North Korea and Colombia at Glasgow's Hampden Park by about an hour.
"This was an honest mistake, honestly made," Mr Cameron said."This was an honest mistake, honestly made," Mr Cameron said.
"An apology has been made and I'm sure every step will be taken to make sure these things don't happen again.""An apology has been made and I'm sure every step will be taken to make sure these things don't happen again."
The prime minister called the eve of the Games "a truly momentous day for our country".The prime minister called the eve of the Games "a truly momentous day for our country".
"Seven years of waiting, planning, building, dreaming, are almost over - tomorrow, the curtain comes up, the spectators arrive, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012 can officially begin.""Seven years of waiting, planning, building, dreaming, are almost over - tomorrow, the curtain comes up, the spectators arrive, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012 can officially begin."
'Coming together''Coming together'
But Mr Romney, who will meet Mr Cameron on a visit to the UK later, has expressed concerns about "disconcerting" signs of a lack of readiness for the Games. Mr Cameron earlier met the Republican candidate for the US presidency, Mitt Romney, during his campaigning and fundraising visit to London.
"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," he told NBC News. The meeting came after Mr Romney expressed concerns about "disconcerting" signs of a lack of readiness for the Games.
Mr Romney managed the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002. "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," Mr Romney told a US television station.
Mr Cameron responded: "Of course, this is a time of some economic difficulty for the UK, everybody knows that. It was "hard to know just how well it will turn out", said Mr Romney, who managed the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002.
Mr Cameron responded: "Of course, this is a time of some economic difficulty for the UK. Everybody knows that.
"But look at what we're capable of achieving as a nation, even at a difficult economic time.""But look at what we're capable of achieving as a nation, even at a difficult economic time."
He added: "In terms of the country coming together, I think the torch relay really demonstrates that this is not a London Games, this is not an England Games, this is a United Kingdom Games.He added: "In terms of the country coming together, I think the torch relay really demonstrates that this is not a London Games, this is not an England Games, this is a United Kingdom Games.
"I think we'll show the whole world not just that we've come together as a United Kingdom, but also we're extremely good at welcoming people from across the world." "I think we'll show the whole world not just that we've come together as a united kingdom, but also we're extremely good at welcoming people from across the world."
Mr Romney, who also met Labour leader Ed Miliband, later said: "I expect the Games to be highly successful."