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During a visit to Bedford Lord Coe, chairman of the London organising committee which is responsible for staqing the games, said the Olympics presented huge challenges but the prize was massive.

On his travels, both in the run-up to the successful bid and in the delivery phase, the eastern region had been sharply focused on making the most of opportunities presented by the 2012 games.

"Of all the regions I have travelled to ... and I have been at this now for very nearly four years, I don't think I have witnessed the level of focus in both those phases that I have witnessed in this region in may others.

"I never felt I was coming here preaching to anyone but the converted."

He said the organisers' aim is to offer the very best of facilities all over the country for athletes from around the world to compete at the very highest level but also as a means of engaging young people in sport.

It was essential to ensure that the potential legacy from the games - that public participation - was not lost.