LONDON 2012: Boris Johnson outlines plans to 'dazzle visitors'

By Angharad Hughes, Sportsbeat

LONDON mayor Boris Johnson has outlined his vision for the capital during the London 2012 Olympics - claiming he wants to make visitors' 'jaw drop'.

BIG IDEAS: London mayor Boris Johnson has outlined his vision for spending £32 million to dress London during the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics (Reuters)

Johnson has earmarked £32 million to dressing the capital during the Games and has previously revealed plans to create a huge pedestrian area around Trafalgar Square.

Under proposals being considered, a swathe of central London, which stretches from the square to nearby Covent Garden and Leicester Square, which would be decorated with flags, colour schemes and be a focal point for the much-maligned Cultural Olympiad.

But Johnson doesn't want to stop there - his vision includes a zip wire that will take spectators eye to eye with Horatio Nelson at the top of his iconic column, a giant arch in the shape of a high jumper across the Westway and inflatable boxers that float and tussle in the sky.

"We are looking at things that are going to make visitors' jaw drop," he said.

"Everyone knows this is the most exciting thing we are going to do in London in our lifetimes. We are incredibly privileged to be engaged on this project."

The 'look of the Olympics' and how the city is dressed up for the Games has always been a key consideration for Johnson.

Johnson wants visitors to the capital to know they are at the Games, even if they are not at a venue but with such a large scale area to cover, he must spend his budget wisely.

Money was no object in Beijing as official logos and banners hung from every available lamppost and street sign but cash concerns meant Vancouver scaled back on their initial plans to 'dress the Olympic city', leading to some criticism from seasoned Olympic observers.