London Olympic Movement Faces Shake-Up With Change in Prime Minister

LONDON, England, June 28. WITH the recent resignation of Tony Blair as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and the consequent succession of Gordon Brown into that role yesterday, the London Olympic management structure looks to see some changes.

According to a report from The Telegraph, Brown has named James Purnell as the new Cultural Secretary, who is ultimately responsible for the London Olympics in 2012. He replaces Tessa Jowell in the position. However, the article written by David Bond states that Jowell may be asked back to fill an Olympics Minister role.

Purnell has served the United Kingdom most recently as the Minister for Pensions since May of 2006. Previously, he was the Minister for Creative Industries and Tourism, which oversees broadcasting, film, creative industries, tourism and licensing in the United Kingdom.

Bond also addressed the decision to hire Purnell as a way to counter infrastructure construction costs.

"There will be a change to the way Purnell's new department is structured in relation to the Games, however, with a new beefed up Whitehall unit expected to be set up to monitor the construction and regeneration element of the Games Purnell's appointment is also seen as a sign that Brown wants a tighter control on the project. He recently warned that rising construction costs were the biggest threat the Olympics."

Additionally, The Telegraph reported that Sports Minister Richard Caborn is "expected to be replaced tomorrow."

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