London and the wider UK economy can expect a multi-million pound boost off the back ofthe Paris Olympics with the capital benefiting from its near neighbour’s hosting of the games.
A new study found the average Team GB supporter will spend £4,174 to cheer on their Olympic heroes with nearly 1 million Brits expected to travel to watch the games – giving UK athletes the biggest home support of any nation except the hosts France.
That support – which is now threatened by the arson attacks crippling French trains - could also benefit the country’s medal tally with the country’s most successful female Olympian and Natwest Team GB ambassador Laura Kenny saying the backing of fans got her through “the toughest of moments”.
The cycling star said: “When you are presented with the feeling of a whole nation being behind you, it provides the sheer determination to push harder than you ever have before. The journey to the Olympics is demanding and filled with lots of highs and lows, but with the motivation fromfans support to help you succeed, you feel you are supported and encouraged every step of the way.”
Stay at home fans will also do their bit with pubs and bars expected to cash in with three quarters of people saying they plan to go out and watch some of the events, according to the research carried out for the launch of the NatWest Travel reward Credit Card.
The capital was also predicted to benefit from fans basing themselves here and travelling over to the games.
High prices for increasingly scarce accommodation in the French capital and a controversial Olympic surcharge on the city’s metro which increases the price of a single ticket from just over two Euros to four Euros from July 20 to September 8 has made Paris too pricey for some.
One London hospitality veteran told the Standard spectators flocking to the Games particularly from America and Asia had decided to stay in London and commute to the French capital instead though those plans will be affected by the arson attack.
The rail firm said in a statement: "Due to coordinated acts of malice in France, affecting the high speed line between Paris and Lille, all high speed trains going to and coming from Paris are being diverted via the classic line today.
"This extends the journey time by around an hour and a half.
"Several trains have been cancelled."
