Tessa Jowell MP, Labour's Olympics Minister, today set out how ambitious Britain  is delivering an Olympic and Paralympic Games like no other - boosting the UK economy and creating an army of Olympic heroes.

In a speech to the Labour Party conference, Tessa Jowell argued that in daring to be ambitious Britain's army of Olympic heroes will more than deliver on the biggest logistical challenge the UK has seen in peacetime. She was joined by some of Britain's young Olympic hopefuls.

Bringing  investment today in the workforce of tomorrow, London 2012 - with just  over three years to go and over 40 per cent of the build complete - is on track to deliver the success story that the UK and the rest of the world were promised.

Tessa Jowell MP said:

"With the eyes of four billion people turning to the Olympic Stadium in East London for the opening ceremony - the equivalent of 120 heads of states in town, the equivalent of 6 G20 summits - we have the chance to show the rest of the world that Britain dared to be ambitious and succeed in its ambitions.‬ 

"Olympic heroism is not just gained by those on the platform collecting a medal, but by all of those who are contributing to the making of the games, the volunteers, apprentices and young people I meet when travelling the country. Their nam es may not hit the headlines in the summer of 2012 but as we realise our ambition to make the Olympics like no other, our success will be measured not simply in bronze, silver and gold, but by how many lives it transforms.‬

 "Hosting the Games is much more than 60 wonderful days of sport. Accelerating the regeneration of four of 10 most deprived boroughs in the country has led to the creation of a major new international centre for industries that will drive our economic recovery. Around 6,000 people are currently working on the Olympic Park and Village. By 2012 the total will be five times that number.

 "These are not just London's Games, they belong to the whole of Britain. By investing in the UK's future the Olympics will not only deliver a massive boost to our economy, but transform many young people's lives. Not just through sport but by giving them the confidence and skills to show that they can succeed. Initiatives like the Personal Best programme have creat ed opportunities for companies across the UK with foresight to invest in the workforce of tomorrow, by taking on young apprentices who will be at the heart of delivering the Games."