More than half (62%) of Britons believe the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will benefit UK businesses in the long term, according to a survey by Cisco.
Furthermore, 60% of those surveyed believe the Games may help to improve technology and innovation within the country by inspiring entrepreneurship.
In comparison to a similar Cisco survey, conducted last year, 41% believed London 2012 could improve tourism when asked in 2011, which had risen to 61% by July 2012. In addition, 24% of those surveyed in 2011 believed the London 2012 Olympic Games would enhance community spirit – a figure which has increased to 49% this summer.
Encouragingly, of those quizzed in 2012, 49% said the Olympics could help inspire a generation to study in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields and 57% feel Olympic corporate sponsors' should play an integral role in maintaining the legacy.
Neil Crockett, Cisco managing director for London 2012, says: "At Cisco, we see London 2012 is just the start of a brilliant future for Great Britain and the close of the Games will be the starting pistol for our legacy. We believe the Games can act as a platform for growth which spans far beyond the summer of 2012.
"As long as Britain comes together to capitalise on the invaluable opportunity presented, the London 2012 Olympic Games is sure to play an integral role in the UK's sustainable prosperity and long-term growth."
The government's Olympic promises
Of the 2012 respondents, 76% said they were not originally aware of the five Olympic Legacy promises which the government set in 2007. However, when told, these respondents had a clear idea of how the five legacies are more relevant now.
The government's promise to "inspire a generation of young people to take part in local volunteering, cultural, and physical activity" was cited by 40% as being the most important commitment.
To "demonstrate that the UK is a creative, inclusive and welcoming place to live in, visit and for business" was deemed second most important by 26%, and the promise to "transform the heart of the East End" was chosen by 13%.
The promise of "making the Olympic Park a blueprint for sustainable living" was chosen by 12% and 9% believed the most important promise was to "make the UK a world-leading sporting nation."
