Laing O'Rourke gives backing to Olympic bid

Laing O’Rourke is the first contractor to become a major sponsor of the London Olympic bid. As the official construction partner of London 2012, Laing O’Rourke is offering its services in the planning and design of the Olympic facilities.

A Laing O’Rourke spokesman said: "This is purely a sponsorship arrangement." He declined to say if the firm is donating funds as a sponsor.

However, a London 2012 spokeswoman said: "Corporate sponsors can give money to support the bid. Sponsors can also give advice as a means of sponsoring the event."

For example, City law firm Ashurst is providing a lawyer to advise on PFI and employment issues. The spokeswoman added that London 2012 would welcome other contractors wishing to become sponsors.

International Olympic Committee rules state that candidate cities cannot make a prior agreement to give work to businesses that advise for free at the bid stage if the bid later wins. But as one major sponsor told CJ: "The hope is it will put sponsors in a better position than if they hadn’t got involved at all."