The Green Party’s candidate campaigning to become the first directly elected mayor of Tower Hamlets, Alan Duffell, has hit out at the decision to divert the London 2012 marathons from the East End to Central London.
Alan Duffell is reported in this week’s East End Advertiser saying it is an "insult" to take the marathon route away from the East End.
He said: "I see the diversion of the route away from Tower Hamlets as a huge missed opportunity to raise the profile of the borough and give us something to be proud of – I would even go so far as to say an insult.
"It is also a missed opportunity to generate enthusiasm for sport among our young people -having a major event pass through your area has a powerful effect, and I can only bemoan the many potential stars who will not now be inspired by its visit. The Olympics Committee should hang its head in shame at the sheer snobbery of this decision."
ENDS