PM holds Cabinet meeting at Olympic handball arena in Hackney

The prime minister called the government’s first Cabinet meeting of the year at Olympic handball arena in Hackney on Monday (January 9) to mark 200 days before the Games’ opening ceremony.

Ministers gathered at the 7,000-capacity venue, with tables on the court surrounded by multi-coloured seats.

David Cameron hailed the legacy of London 2012 and urged them to fully exploit the opportunities the summer showpiece would offer.

He welcomed the progress of the Olympic Park and said the future of six of the eight main venues had already been secured.

“Not only are they already up and running, but they already have a future, and we can be very proud of that,” he said.

Ministers travelled to the site on board a high-speed Olympic Javelin shuttle train from St Pancras station in central London. They heard a presentation from Lord Coe, updating them on progress for the Games’ legacy.