LONDON: Four thousand people were taking part Tuesday in a final government-led command and control exercise to test plans for the London 2012 Olympics, which start in less than 100 days.

 

The third and biggest “command post” exercise runs until Wednesday and will simulate a number of incidents that could happen during the Games, which take place from July 27 to August 12.

 

The exercise involves Olympics organisers, the government, emergency services, local authorities, health providers and transport operators. It will test “the effectiveness, resilience and decision-making capability of key Games-time command and control structures and processes,” the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said.

 

“These will include communication between the Games organisers, the government and other partners, as well as communication with the media, the general public and operational staff.”

 

The three-day exercise mimics August 4 to 6, when 26 sports will be taking place across 14 venues, including tennis at Wimbledon, triathlon in Hyde Park and beach volleyball at Horse Guards Parade.