Plans to promote the 2012 Olympics using a ship sailing around the world advertising Britain's "cultural riches" have been ditched, the BBC has learned.
London's successful bid team promised that the ship - named the Olympic Friend-ship - would spend four years travelling around the world.
The full-size ocean-going clipper had been due to set sail this August.
Crewed by young people, artists, philosophers and students, the ship was to be run by professional officers.
London's bid book claimed the ship would: "... carry a cargo emblematic of the UK's cultural riches.
"In turn, every nation visited will have the opportunity to contribute to the vessel's cargo - either in real terms or via the website.
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"Through dialogue and exchange, creativity and sharing, the UK will use this voyage to redefine its relationship to world cultures and celebrate London's new role as host city."
It was hoped that when the Olympic Friend-ship returned to England it would "formally proclaim the renaissance of east London", where the majority of the 2012 Games' events will be held.
A London 2012 spokeswoman told the BBC that they are now looking at other ways of promoting the Games throughout the world.
Aside from the debate about the increase in the budget for the Games, the decision by the organisers to scrap the Olympic Friend-ship is probably the most significant broken promise since the bid was won in July 2005.
There has also been criticism in recent months of the need to change some of the venues.
The mountain biking course will have to be moved because the original site has been deemed to be not high enough, while the canoe slalom course has had to be shifted because of contamination.
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