According to the Observer, who in turn quote John Arnitt of the ODA, the taxpayer will have to stump up for whatever media centre is finally built for the London Olypmpics - current cost estimate £300m, and, so far, no sign of private offers of funding.
The media centre is critical to the long-term reputation of the London games - if international hacks aren't well looked after, with quick and easy access to competitors, officials, and information, their gripes soon gets fed back around the world. In Beijing, the hacks had a much better time than the average paying visitor, with dedicated guides and special transport. So the Chinese won an important PR battle as soon as the columnists and reporters logged in.
It doesn't have to be a classy building, but it's pivotal to establishing the 2012 event in general as well-organised and fit for a modern, multi-media world.
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