AMERICAN Barbara Cassani, the former chair of the London 2012 Olympic bid, has today receivied an honorary Commander of the British Empire (CBE) from Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell, for her role in London's successful campaign to stage the Games.

 

Cassani (pictured) was chairman of London’s Olympic and Paralympic bid from June 2003 until May 2004 until she stepped down from her role just after London was short listed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was replaced by Sebastian Coe.

 

But she remained a volunteer vice-chairman of the bid and was part of the official delegation at the vote in Singapore in July.

 

Jowell said: “Barbara was instrumental in setting up the entire bid. 

 

"She led the development of the blueprint for the 2012 Games, and recruited all the key people – including Lord Coe – creating the team that ultimately went on to success in Singapore. 

 

"I don’t believe we could have won the bid without her early guidance and expertise.  She is a worthy recipient of this honour.”

 

Cassani, who received the award today at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, said:  “It is a great honour to receive this recognition.  Winning the Olympic and Paralympic Games for London was an unthinkable dream for most in the UK back when we started in 2003. 

 

"I gathered together an enormously talented group of people who believed we could win – and then went on to do just that.  I’m proud of my early role and of all the people who worked so hard to win the Games for London in 2012. ”

 

The Boston-born fitness fanatic, now 46, was replaced by Coe, whose experience as a double Olympic champion proved crucial in persuading the IOC to choose London.

 

It was a surprise when Cassani was not on last year’s New Year's List while many of the London 2012 staff she had appointed - including Coe and chief executive Sir Keith Mills - were honoured.

 

But her position as public face of the bid was controversial from the moment she took the job in June 2003. She described herself as a “Londoner” but critics felt the IOC would be confused by an American leading London’s campaign.

 

It was also clear Cassani, who netted £9.5 million when Go was sold to EasyJet in 2002, did not enjoy schmoozing with the IOC's male-dominated membership in five-star hotel bars. 

 

Her dramatic departure came less than 24 hours after London was chosen for the final shortlist.

 

In the end Coe won all the praise but leading figures in both the Government and London 2012 were determined to make sure she was not forgotten.