May 13 - Olympic revenues are set to smash through the $7 billion (£4 billion/€5 billion) barrier in the period including the London 2012 Games, confounding the economic gloom afflicting much of Europe including Greece, cradle of the Movement.

Calculations made by insidethegames suggest that the final figure for revenues derived from broadcasting, sponsorship, tickets and licensing could reach, or even exceed, $7.6 billion (£4.7 billion/€5.9 billion).

This would be around 40 per cent more than the $5.45 billion (£3.38 billion/€4.21 billion) generated in 2005-2008, itself a record – a burst of acceleration worthy of Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt, especially given the background economic circumstances in Europe.

The final figure will fluctuate somewhat, depending on the exchange rate used to convert London 2012 revenues into United States dollars.

Earnings from London 2012 ticketing and licensing have also yet to be finalised.

However, income of $5.86 billion (£3.64 billion/€4.53 billion) from the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, London 2012 broadcasting deals and the TOP worldwide sponsorship programme is already known.

London 2012 has also hit its target of £700 million ($1.13 billion/€871 million) in domestic sponsorship income, which would convert to a further $1.13 billion (£702 million/€873 million) at the present exchange rate.

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

By David Owen