Student life for 2012 Games officials

Scores of Olympics officials will spend the 2012 Games billeted in student halls of residence.

Islington council is due to allow Canto Court, a modern eight-storey block in Old Street, to be used for Olympic and Paralympic visitors between July 12 and September 9 next year.

They could include members of the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee and the British Olympic and Paralympic Associations. It could also be home to their guests and members of national Olympic committees, journalists, judges, referees and other VIPs.

Unite, the private student property firm which owns the block, said it is "high-quality accommodation within easy reach of the Games".

Canto Court's 164 bedsit flats are among London's smartest student digs. For £314 a week during term time, students get studio rooms with "hideaway" beds and kitchen facilities, an en suite bathroom, plus a 26-inch wall-mounted plasma TV and a desk. Games organisers Locog said that a planning application was being made by Unite as a contingency, since there will not be enough housing within the Olympic Park for the entire "Olympic family".

"Locog requires some additional temporary accommodation of a good standard close to the Olympic Park," said a spokeswoman. "We are yet to decide who exactly would use it."

Accommodation in the athletes' village itself will be for international athletes and their key support staff.