2012 Olympics

It’s not long now before we host the 2012 Olympics…. and I’m quite excited….not least  because I am involved with some voluntary work being one of Boris’s ‘Team London Ambassadors’ but because it’s London and I love London and everything it stands for.  Did you know that in the ‘Tourist Destination League’ that London is top and beat Paris, New York, Sidney and Capetown. This is probably because the Olympics are coming to London for the third time and will leave a legacy of a (British Designed) Olympic Stadium  and Veladrome including other venues for future use.  New Jobs and business, 11,000 new homes,  half a million plants and 4000 trees that have been planted which have transformed that part of London that was previously deprived.

The Olympic torch was lit in Greece and arrived in Cornwall last week to start the UK tour. It will end up in London for the last 7 days on the 21^st July. The Paralympics 4 torches represent England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales and will come together ending up at Stoke Manderville Hospital (24^th to 29^th August). 

Here are some statistics: 2012 games begin 27^th July – 12^th August.  Transition Period 13^th – 28^th August.  Paralympics begin on 29^th August to 9^th September.  The Closing Ceremony celebrates the achievements of athletes and includes a Handover from one Host City to the next (Rio de Janerio for the 2016 Olympic Games). It also features the extinguishing of the Olympic Flame signaling the end of the Games.  There are 10,500 athletes taking part, 205 Nations and 34 venues.   There are even ticket free events – cycling road events, sailing, triathlon and marathons - you can watch these events along their routes.   

These are the venues:

Olympic Park: Athletics, Aquatics Centre (Diving, Swimming, Synchronized, Modern Pentathlon & Handball (Copper Box), Water Polo Arena/Basketball, BMX Track /Cycling Track (Veladrome), Hockey (Riverbank Arena).

London Venues: Football, Badminton & Gymnastics Rhythmic (Wembley), Volleyball (Earls Court), Tennis (Wimbledon), Shooting (The Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich), Athletics & Cycling (The Mall), Gymnastics, Trampoline , Basketball (North Greenwich Arena), Beach Volleyball (Horse Guards Parade), Triathlon, Swimming (Hyde Park, Archery (Lord’s Cricket Ground), Equestrian, Modern Pentathlon (Greenwich Park), Cycling (Hampton Court Palace).

Out-of-London venues: /Cycling (Box Hill & Hadleigh Farm), Football (City of Coventry Stadium, Millennium Stadium, Old Trafford & Hampden Park), Rowing/Canoe Sprint (Eton Dorney), Sailing (Weymouth & Portland), Canoe Slalom (Lee Valley White Water Centre).

I will be quite happy watching events on TV with friends and family…when I’m not fulfilling my duties as a Team London Ambassador.  Volunteers are based around London at one of 43 visitor locations including landmarks, visitor hot spots, travel hubs and big screen live sites.    I am based in Greenwich for one week in August, by the Cutty Sark - the last surviving Tea Clipper that was re-opened just a few weeks ago. Mustn’t forget Greenwich Park, where the Equestrian event is being held. The Park  has been a World Heritage site since 1997 forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which is considered to have outstanding universal value. So come visit!!

Love to you all x.....{Love a fruit always in season -Mother Teresa}

20.05.12