ABSTRACT
The hosting of major sporting tournaments is the most sought after of all types of major events by countries, with the pinnacle of all those to be awarded being the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Once the Games have been awarded by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the host country’s thoughts must immediately turn to implementing the bid proposal by thoroughly planning the event. London was awarded the 2012 Olympic Games by the IOC on 6 July 2005. 2 One of the key risks the London organisers had to plan carefully for was the threat from corruption in its various guises. 3 This was reflected in preamble R of the Host City Contract: ‘WHEREAS [London] and the [British Olympic Association] acknowledge and agree to carry out their activities pursuant to this Contract in full compliance with universal fundamental ethical principles, including those contained in the IOC Code of Ethics.’ 4 Giving corruption the widest ambit possible, a number of areas of the delivery of the Olympic and Paralympic Games can be affected, including: financial management, public procurement, major infrastructure and construction, and security and private sector involvement. 5
