History

London plays host to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the summer of 2012. This is the third time London has hosted the Olympic Games, with the city standing in for Rome in 1908 after Mount Vesuvius erupted and, in 1948, hosting the first Olympic Games held after the end of World War II.

Key Figures

• 26 Olympic sports in 34 venues
• 20 Paralympic sports in 21 venues
• 10,500 Olympic athletes and 4,200 Paralympic athletes
• 20,000 press and media
• More than 9 million tickets
• 7.7 million tickets will be available for the Olympic Games with another 1.5 million for the Paralympic Games
• Up to 1.5 million spectators are expected to attend Paralympic events

Cultural Olympiad

The Olympic Games and Paralympic Games are not just about sport. Following the close of the 2008 Beijing Games, the four year run-up to the London 2012 Games will see the UK embark on a Cultural Olympiad. This will celebrate cultures, people and languages – in London, the UK and around the world. Cultural activities and education will combine with sport for an unforgettable experience.

Planned activities:

The Cultural Olympiad will encompass activity from the major Olympic & Paralympic Ceremonies through to local projects, events and activity. For more information on planned projects, please visit the London 2012 website.

The people behind London 2012

LOCOG is the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and looks after the planning, preparation and staging of the 2012 Games. Headed by Sebastian Coe (Chair) and Paul Deighton (Chief Executive), LOCOG will oversee, among other things, the design and building of the infrastructure, recruitment and training of volunteers, staging of test events and the running of the Cultural Olympiad in the build-up to the Games.

The Olympic Park

The Games will take place in the Olympic Park in east London. Construction began in 2008, and the general sentiment is that it will hopefully, “revitalise this part of London and help to open the east of the capital to development opportunities.” Around 2,000 mature and semi-mature trees are being sought to cover the 100 hecture park. Up to 180,000 spectators are expected each day at the park during the Games.

An “Athlete Village” is being created within the Olympic Park. This will have accommodation for athletes and officials during the Games as well as restaurants, shops and leisure facilities for athletes and spectators alike.

The main venue for the Games, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, will be the 80,000 seat Olympic Stadium. The innovative use of temporary seating will allow it to be converted to a 25,000 seat athletic stadium for both the local community and competitive events once the Games are over.

Source: www.london2012.com