The ONS said that beyond the effect of ticket sales, it was hard to put an exact figure on the Olympic effect, although it cited increased hotel and restaurant activity in London as well as strength from employment agencies.

BBC: UK economy returns to growth with help from Olympics

Canadian Olympic Triathlete Simon Whitfield purchased a Tim Hortons coffee at a downtown Toronto restaurant using a Rogers BlackBerry smartphone and CIBC credit card account.

ENGADGET: Rogers and CIBC kick off Canadian NFC-based mobile payments with mini event (update: full details)

Olympic Charleroi became insolvent owing hundreds of thousands of euros to suppliers, including a restaurant and hotel chain.

BBC: Peter Harrison

This international rowing centre, complete with gym and restaurant, is partly designed to kick-start any future bid by London for the Olympic Games.

ECONOMIST: Industry