THE opening ceremony for a London Olympics should be held in the Mall in London rather than a stadium, according to Kent Labour MP Derek Wyatt.

The Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP, who chairs the all-party Olympic Committee, said the famous capital thoroughfare that leads up to Buckingham Palace could host a unique opening ceremony for 300,000 people.

He has also suggested that if London got the nod for the 2012 Olympic games, organisers should consider competitions and medals for poetry and music.

The MP made his comments in a Westminster debate this week after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) released its technical report on London’s bid.

He said: “If we won, it would be great if the opening ceremony, attended by 300,000 people, could be in the Mall instead of in a stadium. The ceremony could be a celebration...to link all the cities that have held previous Olympic games.”

He also advocated a return to the original spirit of the Games, which was intended to be not just a sporting event but one that celebrated the arts.

“Gold medals were given for literature and poetry. That has fallen off substantially and I hope that in our bid we will look back again and consider whether it is appropriate to give a gold medal for poetry, music, digital media or something else creative. Why shouldn’t these things return?”

Meanwhile, the shadow Conservative sports minister and Kent MP Hugh Robertson says London’s chances of winning had vastly improved as a result of the IOC’s report.

“We are probably still lying second to Paris but the momentum is with London and there is everything to play for. It will probably come down to a couple of votes - in the last three Olympic bid votes, the favourite has never won.”