Sex offender checks 'threaten Olympic legacy'

Forcing parents who ferry groups of children to sports clubs to undergo criminal record checks could have disastrous implications for Britain's Olympic legacy, it has been claimed.

A panel of senior figures at the London 2012: Three years to go fringe meeting at the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth expressed discontent with the proposals from the government.

The vetting and barring scheme is aimed at stopping paedophiles from getting access to children, and parents who refuse to comply could find themselves with a criminal prosecution and a court fine.

Lib Dem culture, media and sport spokesman Don Foster said the proposals could only hurt the chances of a next generation of UK athletes emerging.

Lord Coe, chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) said he 'wanted to clap' the statement but was prevented from doing so by his wish to remain neutral politically.

Lord Coe was also asked about the impact of a potential change of government next May, which he insisted would have a minimal impact on the Games' delivery.

'We've had a change in government in London and Scotland and we go on exactly as before,' he said.

Mr Foster went on to say that the country was lagging behind on some of its legacy commitments, while Lord Coe accepted that the team was 'not always good' at talent-spotting.

'We are not anywhere close to our legacy commitments on sport participation,' Mr Foster said.

On the London 2012 opening ceremony Lord Coe was tight-lipped, promising only a 'wonderfully-British' effort that would not try to emulate Beijing. He did add, however, that a volunteer-led event featuring charity athletes was being considered.

At the fringe meeting it emerged that no free tickets would be available for the Games, with even sponsors, dignitaries and officials being forced to shell out.

But although a commitment has been made to London 2012 the public transport Games – there are no parking spaces at venues apart from for blue badge holders – the panel accepted that International Olympic Committee officials had ordered several hundred limousines to ferry officials around.

Lord Coe added that although McDonalds retained key marketing rights to the Games they would not have a monopoly on food at venues.

'If you want to have a McDonalds and a Coke, as I probably will, you can, but if you don't there will be other options available to you,' he added.