All Entries Tagged With: "Olympics"Olympic torch relay event taking place at Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse is to welcome the Olympic torch on 23rd May.
Around 10,000 visitors are expected to attend the free, once-in-a-lifetime event, which will see urban rapper Labrinth, the artist behind ‘Let the Sun Shine’ and ‘Pass Out’, headline. The official celebration show will begin at 5pm, with the flame being delivered by an as-yet unnamed celebrity at 7pm, to light the cauldron on a main stage, situated opposite the racecourse grandstand. The show will also include performances by the Gloucestershire Youth Jazz Orchestra, Cheltenham Youth Choir and Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum.
The landmark venue, home to the legendary Cheltenham Festival, is the perfect setting to kick-start the South West’s sporting fever ahead of the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games this summer.
Building on its non-raceday activities Cheltenham Racecourse’s changing face of events is proving to be a popular crowd pleaser; pulling in footfall across the country to the South West. The progressive venue launched its ‘LIVE’ division in 2011 and has since hosted well-known faces including John Bishop, Micky Flanagan and Alexandra Burke.
The venue boasts a host of flexible event spaces including The Centaur, a 2,250 seated auditorium with state-of-the-art lighting and sound capabilities, as well as 300 acres available for outside events and 10,000 free car parking spaces; the facilities available make the venue the de facto choice for concert and comedy promoters.
Edward Gillespie, managing director Cheltenham Racecourse, comments “Everyone at Cheltenham Racecourse is delighted to be hosting this wonderful event, which I’m sure will live long in the memory. It is a great honour for us to be the site chosen to represent the whole county for the Olympic Torch Evening Celebration and I’m sure that this will be an occasion of which everyone in Gloucestershire will be proud. We’ll be doing everything we can to make sure that it is a night to remember.”
IMAGINATION – Discover the Danish Spirit is a unique marketing and export platform this summer in London. From this platform, large and small Danish organisations can promote and sell Denmark and the Danish lifestyle, Danish products and experiences, and Danish competencies in the fields of tourism, food, fashion, design and innovation. And all of this will be done in a fun and innovative way.
Who is behind it?VisitDenmark and the Danish television channel TV 2 have entered into a partnership this summer at rent St Katharine Docks, where the three weeks event will take place. VisitDenmark is using the area as a platform to market Denmark, and at the same time serve as a base for TV 2 broadcasts.
The Danish marketing platform is being marketed under the concept IMAGINATION.
From this location, the Danish lifestyle and Danish experiences, products and competencies will be presented in a fun and innovative way.
The aim is to make an impression and leave a mark, to give visitors a taste for Denmark, food for thought, new perspectives and a relevant, appealing sense of what the creative and innovative Denmark has to offer.
Russian Olympic legends, both past and present, are experiencing the tourism delights Britain has to offer this week. Their visit is part of the national tourism agency’s marketing programme to tap into the country’s outbound industry worth £18 billion and entice a greater number of Russian visitors to the UK.
VisitBritain, the British Council, VISA and the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) have combined forces to host ‘Road to London’, bringing five of the biggest names in Russian sport together, who between them have won an impressive 12 gold medals. The all-star delegation includes:
‘Road to London’ sees the visiting athletes not only take in the Olympic sites, but also a chance to enjoy museums, galleries and other experiences any Olympic tourist will enjoy this summer as part of Festival 2012. This will include them catching the critically acclaimed ‘Stomp’ in London’s West End, along with trips to the Victoria & Albert and Wimbledon Lawn and Tennis Museums.
Along with a school visit to conduct a master-class with children, the team will be in the unfamiliar territory of playing British sports which they are not considered to be at gold medal standard, such as attempting a round of golf and playing polo at Ascot.
VisitBritain research shows that Russian visitors have a great appreciation for British culture, history and heritage. More than half of Russians surveyed say they would like to go on a tour of Buckingham Palace and 83% saying they are likely to visit places associated with the Royal Family. We hope the visit of these influential Olympic legends will carry great resonance within Russia and act as a stimulus future travel to the UK.
Last year Britain received 208,000 visits from Russia, helping generate around £302 million for the British economy, a figure that is expected to grow over the next few years. A typical visit to Britain from Russia generates over twice as much spending as does the average inbound visit, spending £1,454 per trip. With over 134,000 high net worth individuals currently living in Russia, VisitBritain hopes to target this global tourism force and recover competitiveness from a market that spends highly on international travel.
Speaking at The Grosvenor House Apartments, Alexey Nemov, four-times Olympic gymnastics champion said: “I am very happy to take part in this programme, while travelling to London at such an important time for this city is a rare chance and a great honour. I am sure that these Olympic Games will prove once again how much sports can do for the peaceful future of our planet, and how it inspires and unites people.”
Patricia Yates, Director of Strategy and Communications at VisitBritain said: “These are elite Olympic champions who know what it takes to be at the top of their field and we are extremely fortunate to be able to showcase Britain to such high profile figures who have such an influence back home in Russia. Their visit this week will help us capture a larger slice of Russia’s £18billion outbound tourism market and allow us to entice a greater number of visits from this vital BRIC country over the coming years.”
Paul de Quincey, Director of the British Council in Russia, said:“This project gives us a fantastic opportunity to link our two countriesthrough the Olympic Games which will attract the attention of millions of people all over the world. During this visit, Russian sports legends will meet their British peers, walk around the Olympic Park, and learn about the Cultural Olympiad, in which the British Council is a key international partner.”
Steven Parker, VISA Group Country Manager for Russia added: “The Olympic Games create a unique atmosphere that brings together nations, transcending political and physical borders and capturing the hearts and imaginations of the world’s largest audience, irrespective of age, gender or social status. This is first and foremost thanks to the athletes themselves. We are a proud global sponsor of the Olympic Games and are excited to support the ‘Road to London’, a project that involves legendary athletes to promote Olympic values and sportsmanship in Russia.”
Want to become better acquainted with your favourite Olympians? Tired of not knowing if the athletes you are following online are the real deal? Looking for a unified status-update stream that integrates Facebook and Twitter so you can get the entire conversation and not just part of it? If you said yes to any or all of these questions, then the Olympic Athletes’ Hub at www.olympic.org/hub is the place for you.
Officially launched online today to coincide with 100 days to go to London 2012, the Hub is the latest initiative by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to make the Olympic experience more personal and interactive for Olympic fans worldwide by substantially increasing engagement between them and the athletes.
The Hub is a searchable directory of Olympians that provides posts from their Facebook and Twitter accounts and other information designed to connect people with their favourite athletes. Using the Hub’s search function, users can effortlessly locate athletes by country or by sport. Over 1,000 verified Olympians have already joined the Hub, and the number will continue to grow as the countdown to London 2012 continues and word of the Hub spreads.
Fans can unlock secret training tips from Olympic legends, including Nadia Comaneci (gymnastics, ROM), Edwin Moses (athletics, USA), Mark Spitz (swimming, USA), Yelena Isinbayeva (athletics, RUS) and Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean (figure skating, GBR). The more athletes users “like” on Facebook or follow on Twitter through the site, the more points they receive, accumulating prizes such as virtual gold, silver and bronze medals from past Olympic Games in the process. Many other prizes will also be awarded on the road to London 2012.
During the London 2012 Olympic Games, a special section will be created on the Hub where users can view in real time what the athletes competing at the Games are saying on social media sites. In addition, for the first time ever at the Olympic Games, chats with athletes will take place from within the Athletes’ Village, connecting fans and Olympians in real time.
“The Olympic Athletes’ Hub was born out of our desire to connect Olympic athletes and their fans more intimately than ever before,” said Alex Huot, Head of Social Media for the IOC. “With the launch of the Hub, we are creating a paradigm shift in the communication around the Olympic Games, and we are excited to offer this opportunity for greater engagement and interaction between Olympians and their fans.”
Edinburgh Castle is unveiled as the venue for a spectacular free evening celebration to mark the arrival of the Olympic Flame to Scotland’s Capital.
The revelation comes as the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) announces the street level route the Olympic Torch Relay will take on its journey around the UK.
The announcement also marks the unveiling of two of the individuals selected to carry the Olympic Flame in the Edinburgh area – John Beaton, 19, and James Watt, 35.
Councillor Steve Cardownie, Festivals and Events Champion for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The Olympic Flame arriving in Edinburgh will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for residents and visitors, who I’m sure will turn out in their droves to catch a glimpse. Many congratulations to all those who have been selected as Torchbearers – it’s a tremendous honour to be a part of such an iconic event, with the eyes of the world on Scotland’s Capital.”
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG added: “Today we bring the Olympic Torch Relay to life. The Flame symbolises the Olympic spirit and its journey around the UK will bring the excitement of the Games to our streets. Now the people know the route the Olympic Flame will be carried along and the Torchbearers for their community, they can start planning how they might celebrate and make it Edinburgh’s moment to shine.”
The streets along the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay can be viewed in full athttp://www.london2012.com/olympic-torch-relay, with street-by-street details and proposed start times for when the Olympic Flame will travel through Edinburgh.
The Torchbearers confirmed to carry the Flame today include those that were successful through the public nomination processes run by LOCOG and the Presenting Partners, Coca Cola, Bank of Scotland and Samsung.
LOCOG has endeavoured to slot all community Torchbearers within an hour of their nomination address so family and friends can cheer them on. Each Torchbearer will wear a white and gold uniform which been designed by adidas.
An average of 115 Torchbearers a day will carry the Olympic Flame during its 8,000 mile journey around the UK before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
LOCOG has worked closely with representatives from a number of sectors in each Nation and Region of the UK to devise the route and is taking the Olympic Flame to within ten miles of over 95% of the population.
When the Flame arrives in Edinburgh, The City of Edinburgh Council is working with LOCOG and the three Presenting Partners of the Relay – Coca Cola, Bank of Scotland and Samsung – to host an evening celebration to celebrate the Olympic Flame. The event at Edinburgh Castle will be free ticketed and will feature locally programmed content. Ticket information and details of the run of the show will be released over the next few months.
Edinburgh Torchbearer case studies
John Beaton, who has just turned 19, is a Modern Apprentice within Economic Development at The City of Edinburgh Council.
John was diagnosed with glue ear as a baby and had to have gromits fitted. He was diagnosed with Asperger’s at 17, but he never uses his difficulties as an excuse that he can’t do things. After years of struggling he now referees rugby and is a Scout Leader. At age 14, John organised 100 scouts to carry flags at Murrayfield for the Calcutta Cup. John was also member of the Scottish Youth Parliament. He never thought he would pass his exams but he proved everyone wrong by sitting Higher Business Management.
John Beaton said: “I’m really excited to have been chosen to be a London 2012 Torchbearer, it’s a once in a lifetime experience and it tops off what is going to be a great year, firstly being chosen to be a Modern Apprentice with CEC in January, being a Torchbearer in June and then in July I’m going down to be a London 2012 Games Maker.
“I have followed the Olympics since I was a small child and have been excited about the Games coming to London since we won the bid in 2005. For someone who couldn’t kick a ball when he was younger, I have definitely thrown myself into the sporting aspect of 2012. Being an Olympic Torchbearer is a great honour and one I hope I can carry out to an exemplary standard for all those people who find it difficult in life because they have some form of disability, whether it is learning related or physical. All I can say is ‘Bring on 2012, the biggest year and the biggest party ever!’”
Father-of-two James Watt is a support worker with A&E. As a reservist, James has served with The 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He has trained hard and worked tirelessly raising money for many charitable causes, including ‘The Parachute Regiment Afghanistan Trust’. Most recently he pushed himself to not only run the Edinburgh Marathon but to do it wearing a parachute and reserve, adding some 60lb to what is already a daunting challenge.
He continues to serve as a reservist, training and inspiring the next round of recruits to perform beyond their personal best and leading by example.
James Watt said: “It’s a monumental thing to be chosen to carry the Olympic Flame, I’m very proud to be a part of this year’s Olympics. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The London’s promotional agency London & Partners and the Vancouver Economic Commission signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) which will allow the two Olympic cities to share lessons and knowledge about hosting an Olympic Games with a particular focus on future opportunities surrounding economic and business development.
The agreement signed at an Olympic Legacy gala was part of the overall Cities Summit 2012, hosted by Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and the Vancouver Economic Commission. The memorandum was officially signed by Lee Malleau, CEO- Vancouver Economic Commission and Gordon Innes, CEO London & Partners, where Innes’ was speaking on a panel entitled: The Next Edge: the 21st Century City’s Economic Advantage.
The City of Vancouver (Canada) hosted the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (2010 Winter Games) and London is set to host this year’s 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games July 27 to August 12 and August 29 to September 9, 2012.
As well as sharing knowledge between the two organisations, the memorandum stipulates that the two cities will exchange ideas on fostering legacy projects as well as hosting future major events. The agreement also encourages the exchange of learning and experience in different fields including sustainable development, social development, accessibility, education, science and technology, culture, urban planning, tourism and more.
Gordon Innes, CEO of London & Partners said of the agreement: “This memorandum signifies a very clear ambition for London to use the Olympics’ as a real catalyst to learn, share and change our great city. London & Partners is determined to use the experiences we gleam from 2012 to benefit London’s offering so we can make London an even more attractive city to future visitors. And we are also keen to ensure we share our insights with those other global cities across the world – including previous and future Olympic host cities such as Vancouver and Rio. We want to use this partnership with Vancouver to improve and strengthen London’s offering so we can make London an even more attractive city to future visitors, businesses and students.”
“The VEC is extremely pleased to sign this international business agreement with London and Partners. Reaching beyond our city, to work with other dynamic global cities, is part of best practices in today’s 21st Century environment of conducting effective trade and investment. Working with other Host Olympic cities like London builds on a platform of synergies that already exist, and it makes sense. It’s one of the best ways to help our companies access other global markets,” concluded Lee Malleau, CEO of the Vancouver Economic Commission.
2.5 million planning to take time off to go to events
With only 6 months to go until London 2012, ABTA – The Travel Association today reveals approximately 2.5 million people are expected to take time off work to attend events in or around the Games in London and other Olympic venues around the UK. According to research commissioned by ABTA, a further five million are expected to take time off to watch the Games on TV in the comfort of their own homes. Overall 40% of the British public are expected to take time off whether at home or abroad during the Games, which run from 27 July to 12 August, one of the busiest times of the year for travel.
The excitement factor
Excitement or apathy about the Games is split fairly equally, with 31% saying that although they will not take time off during the Olympics they are excited about them, while a further 30% say they plan to ignore them. Research shows the generations are split when it comes to feeling excited about the Games. The most fervent Olympics fans are the youngest with 38% of 15-24 year olds saying they are excited about the Games, compared to 28% of over 55s.
Escaping the crowds
Clearly we are not all sports lovers, 12% of Brits say they are intending to go abroad specifically to avoid the Games and 9% are looking to go on holiday somewhere in the UK free from Olympics fever. The older generation appears to be the least keen on staying in the UK; with 22% of the over 65s intending to head overseas to avoid the Games and 18% of 55-64 year olds.
Londoners most likely to change plans
Perhaps unsurprisingly, over a quarter (28%) of Londoners are considering changing their holiday plans due to the Olympics. Nearly 50% say they will take time off throughout the games and 77% say they will be staying in the Capital during the two weeks.
Victoria Bacon, Head of Communications, ABTA said: “With only six months to go until one of the biggest sporting events in our country’s history, it’s clear that hundreds of thousands, especially the young, will be taking time off to enjoy London 2012. However, for those who don’t love sports or want to escape the crowds, going abroad will provide a welcome alternative.”
Consumer research was conducted by Arkenford Ltd (www.arkenford.co.uk) who specialise in tourism and leisure market research. The ABTA Consumer Trends survey generated response from a nationally representative sample of 2018 consumers using an online research methodology and related to holiday booking habits in the 12 months to September 2011. Fieldwork was conducted in September 2011.
Sandie Dawe, Chief Executive at VisitBritain said: “With only six months to go until the opening ceremony of London 2012, we are ramping up our public relations and marketing activity across the world. While the lighting of the cauldron to mark the beginning of the Olympic Games is a highly anticipated moment, we recognise it is also a time when four billion viewers around the globe will turn their attention to London – and Britain.
“This is our chance to shine. An opportunity for every village, town and city in the land to play its part in ensuring we make London 2012 much more than a great sporting event, turning this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity into something that will have long-term benefits for tourism across the whole of the UK and help secure economic growth in the future.”
The inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) came to an end today in Innsbruck, Austria, with a memorable Closing Ceremony watched by an enthusiastic crowd at the Medals Plaza on the city’s famous Maria-Theresien-Straße.
The Ceremony brought a close to 10 days of world-class sporting competition and cultural and educational activities specifically designed for the 1,000-plus athletes aged 15 to 18 who participated in the Games.
“By all measures, the first Winter Youth Olympic Games exceeded expectations and established a solid foundation for future Youth Games,” International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said during his closing remarks, later declaring: “They were superbly refreshing Games.” Addressing the athletes directly, he added: “You are role models for your generation. You have started something special in Innsbruck. And no matter what happens in your sports career from this point, all of you are equipped to become future leaders.”
The athletes helped to make Olympic history by participating in a number of events that appeared for the first time on an Olympic programme in Innsbruck ahead of their inclusion in the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. These included women’s ski jumping, ski halfpipe and snowboard slopestyle. The Games also featured innovative new formats such as the mixed country doubles competition in curling; the mixed sport event cross-country/biathlon; mixed gender luge and ice hockey skills challenge.
Seventy countries participated in the Winter Youth Olympic Games, including Morocco, which became the first African country to win a medal at a winter Olympic event when Adam Lamhamedi took gold in the men’s super-G. More than 110,000 spectators supported the athletes over the course of the Games, as they competed at the world-class indoor and outdoor venues, with almost 35,000 fans packing out the Medals Plaza where the victory ceremonies and evening concerts took place.
“There were so many firsts at these Games, so many incredible moments for the athletes and everyone involved in staging this event,” added President Rogge, who had special praise for the 1,400 volunteers at the Games. “Innsbruck was a terrific continuation of the excellent work done at the first Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010, and it bodes very well for the future of the Youth Olympic Games.”
Innsbruck 2012 also incorporated an exciting Culture and Education programme (CEP) designed to help educate the young athletes on how to live by the Olympic values both on and off the field of play through engaging workshops held at Congress Innsbruck. The CEP also included the Young Ambassador programme, which saw 33 exceptional young people on hand to guide the athletes through their YOG experience, and the Athlete Role Model programme, which involved over 30 Olympians passing on their advice to the athletes.
In addition, the IOC President was delighted to welcome YOG Ambassadors Yuna Kim and Lindsey Vonn to the Games. The Olympic champions supported the young athletes in their sporting events and visited the CEP at Congress Innsbruck where they held Q&A sessions with the YOG competitors.
Another hit at the Games was the innovative, interactive USB key known as the Yogger, which was given to every athlete and official. In addition to providing the athletes with essential information in a paperless format, the Yogger acted as a virtual business card, allowing users to share information such as names and email addresses simply by touching their keys together. Swiping the keys against the various CEP booths allowed the athletes to collect electronic material about the activities. In total, an impressive 138,000 Yogger interactions have been made.
Media interest in the Youth Olympic Games was strong, with highlights broadcast in more than 60 territories, and over 15,000 articles worldwide. The IOC also brought the action to 8.5 million fans on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Sina Weibo, as well as via its website, www.olympic.org.
The next edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games will be held in Lillehammer, Norway, while the second Summer Youth Olympic Games will take place in Nanjing, China in 2014.
The Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games officially got under way yesterday with an Opening Ceremony at the Bergisel stadium, the iconic Olympic venue in the heart of Austria’s Tyrolean capital, Innsbruck.
With the snow-capped mountains providing a breathtaking backdrop, over 1,000 athletes aged 15 to 18 were greeted by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge, and the Chairman of the Innsbruck 2012 Organising Committee, Richard Rubatscher.
Reflecting the Olympic heritage of Innsbruck, which staged the 1964 and 1976 Olympic Winter Games, the newly created Youth Olympic cauldron and the two existing cauldrons from the previous Games were set ablaze. The Ceremony fused Tyrolean tradition and modern youth culture, with entertainment including freestyle skiers and snowboarders jumping overhead and a paring of ancient Tyrolean dances with a hip hop crew. The stage and costumes were designed by young students from local colleges.
Addressing the crowd in the stadium, President Rogge said: “For the first time, young people from around the world have come together for the Winter Youth Olympic Games, a global celebration of sport and Olympic values.”
“You have come here from 70 countries not just to compete against each other, but also to learn from each other. Some of the friendships formed over the next nine days will last a lifetime, and so will the memories”, he added, reminding the audience that the Winter Youth Olympic Games, which will run from 13 to 22 January and feature a unique Culture and Education Programme, have been created and designed just for young athletes.
Those attending the Opening Ceremony included Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Coordination Commission Chairman for the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gian-Franco Kasper, and Olympic champion and Youth Olympic Games Ambassador Yuna Kim.
In the next few days, Innsbruck 2012 will feature some of the world’s most talented young athletes taking part in the seven sports currently on the winter Olympic programme, including three new events: women’s ski jumping, ski halfpipe and snowboard slopestyle.
After their success at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010, mixed-gender and mixed-country events will also form part of the programme, with a mixed Alpine skiing parallel team event and mixed-country short track skating team relay. In addition, mixed-sport events, such as cross-country biathlon, will be introduced for the first time.
These mixed events aim to strengthen bonds between the athletes and foster better understanding of each other’s cultures and backgrounds, a fundamental vision of the Youth Olympic Games.
With sport as a foundation, the Youth Olympic Games will give the young athletes their first taste of the Olympic experience and provide valuable lessons which they can leverage in their future careers, be it in sport or in other vocations.
As part of the Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s ongoing engagement with London’s businesses to help them operate smoothly, plan for and benefit from the 2012 Games, he has today taken the message to the top of some of London’s key businesses.
At a business breakfast hosted by Beverley Aspinall, managing director of Fortnum & Mason this morning, he met CEOs from leading businesses including Marks & Spencer, BMW and HSBC as well as senior managers from a range of businesses representing major hotels, logistics companies, supermarkets and banks. He reassured them that he would continue to work closely with them to ensure they were prepared to reap the benefits from the Games.
The Mayor was keen to hear from the top business leaders and understand what additional information they needed in order to be ready for the impact of London 2012. Working with Transport for London, he has already launched a website offering a one stop shop for Games-time transport information, providing easy to access, detailed information about the Olympic Route Network (ORN) and other road restrictions on key dates in the London 2012 calendar. He has also worked closely with BT to increase the number of WiFi hotspots available in London to enable flexible working, and is running a series of business surgeries for small and medium sized businesses in the run up to the Games.
He also took the opportunity to thank the private sector for some £60 million in investment and sponsorship into the capital which has been leveraged in over the past 12 months as a direct result of the Games coming to London, helping to ease the burden on the taxpayer. This funding includes £16 million for the Arcelor Mittal Orbit, £36 million for the Emirates Air Line cable car and sponsorship for the London Media Centre, the 2011 Sport Accord Conference and London House.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “The success of the 2012 Games in London depends on the ability of our businesses, small and large, to maximise the opportunities from what promises to be a summer like no other.
“We are working very closely with businesses, from those at the top down, to make sure everyone has the information they need to grasp this moment and plan, prepare and ultimately profit from this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Also speaking at the business breakfast, organised by the GLA and hosted by Fortnum & Mason, were Paul Deighton, Chief Executive, London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games; Peter Hendy, Commissioner, Transport for London; Chair of the Olympic Park Legacy Company Baroness Ford and Colin Stanbridge, CEO of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who facilitated a Q&A session.
THE Olympic Games could actually harm Wales’ tourist industry – rather than delivering a widely-mooted boom, a report suggests.
The Games organisers have always maintained that UK tourism will be one of the biggest winners of the 2012 Games in London.
They claim that extra visitors will come to the country to go to the Olympics before going off to explore other destinations, such as Wales.
But evidence suggests that the Games in Barcelona, Sydney and Athens had no real long-term benefits for tourism in the host cities’ countries. And a major tourism body is warning that the Games has the potential to do “real damage” to the industry here.
In fact, in the short term, the Olympics actually displaces the normal tourism trade – with regular tourists turned off from visiting a city and country hosting a games.
A report by the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) argues that the benefits the Olympics can bring the tourism industry are overstated.
And even though Wales will be staging football events at the Millennium Stadium, the study suggests that will not be much of a boost to the ailing economy.
The ETOA’s Olympic Report says there is “no strong link” between hosting sporting events and increased tourism.
It goes on: “The audiences regularly cited for such events as the Olympics are exaggerated. Attendees at the Games displace normal visitors and scare tourists away for some time.
“Both Sydney and Barcelona had ‘excellent’ Olympic Games, but their tourism industries have not significantly benefited. Thus there appears to be little evidence of any benefit to tourism of hosting an Olympic Games, and considerable evidence of damage.”
The ETOA’s study provides worrying reading for the tourism industry in Wales – even the Costa Brava resorts in Spain reported a drop in demand in 1992 when Barcelona hosted the event.
The body warns that the long-term benefits to tourism are also “far from clear”.
Welsh tourism expert John Wake argued that evidence from major events in Wales back up the theory.
Despite Wales having staged the Rugby World Cup in 1999, FA Cup finals and the Ryder Cup in 2010, he said there had been no real long- term legacy for the nation’s tourism industry.
Mr Wake, a tourism consultant based in Cardiff, suggested that London 2012 will have a similar effect on the sector here – which could prove catastrophic for many struggling operators, already battling with some of the most difficult trading conditions ever.
Tourism is crucially important to the Welsh economy – with most analysts accepting there is potential for growth.
According to latest estimates, the industry is worth around £4.2bn a year to the Welsh economy and supports thousands of jobs.
But there are serious concerns that 2012 will see it hit by the double whammy of another recession and a lack of visitors during a make-or- break summer season thanks to the Olympics.
Mr Wake said: “The experience in Wales of these worldwide events we have hosted has not been a good one for tourism here.
“You get this positive propaganda from organisers, saying the Games will benefit everybody, but I’m not sure I believe it.
“On a match day, everybody turned up to Cardiff and in the evening they went home.
“What you are looking for is something to be going on outside the event, to draw people back. We have had all these things in Cardiff, but what has it done for tourism in Wales?”
Mr Wake has “no doubt” London will be boosted – but said he did not see any benefit to Wales at all.
Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards said prospective damage to Wales’ tourism industry “added insult to injury”, with the Games seeing billions invested in capital projects in London and the south east.
He said: “What is concerning to us is that it’s very much a London Games, that focus on London could potentially be very damaging to other parts of the British Isles which have not had the same coverage out of the Games.”
Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Mr Edwards described the staging of some football matches at the Millennium Stadium as a “sop” and questioned the logic of creating a mountain bike venue in the south of England when Wales has some of the best courses for the sport in the world.
He said: “The big danger is that the Games is going to be branded as a London event, and that is not going to touch the edges as far as our tourist industry is concerned.”
Businesses in Wales claim not enough has been done to help them take advantage of the Games.
Iestyn Davies, head of external affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses in Wales, said: “The general feeling from FSB members, across sectors, is that they don’t envisage their businesses seeing any long-term positive benefit as a result of the Games.
“Most feel the Games will have little impact on their business and are therefore unlikely to be of significant business benefit to them.
“Some members have reported anticipating a decrease in business and a subsequent negative impact,” he added.
“In terms of the tourism sector specifically, members are largely anticipating visitor numbers to remain the same in Wales during the Games.
“Members have also expressed dissatisfaction with the Games authorities in promoting the commercial benefits of the Games to small businesses.
“Some are stating that local tourism bodies have not effectively informed them of opportunities that may arise through increased visitors,” he said.
Six out of eight permanent Olympic venues have had their future secured after the Olympic Park Legacy Company appointed operators for the Aquatics Centre, Multi-Use Arena and ArcelorMittal Orbit.
Employment, training and sporting opportunities for Londoners are at the heart of the contracts, along with ensuring that the venues are both affordable and accessible, and fit into the wider offer of the future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) will operate the Aquatics Centre and the Multi-Use Arena, and Balfour Beatty WorkPlace will run the ArcelorMittal Orbit and manage the maintenance of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The contracts include:
By combining two venues in one contract, the Legacy Company has also ensured that the Aquatics Centre will not require any additional public subsidy as the Arena will cross subsidise it. Further revenue will be generated from naming rights for both venues, which will be on offer at a later date.
With the appointments of anchor tenants and events for the Stadium and the Press Centre and Broadcast Centre this summer, London is on course to secure the future use of every permanent venue before the Games have even started – a first for any Olympic City.
“GLL and Balfour Beatty WorkPlace will play a key part in the creating a Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park that is a thriving visitor destination with world-class sporting venues that are both affordable and accessible to the public.
“The combination of Balfour Beatty WorkPlace’s commitment to jobs and apprenticeships, and GLL’s innovative proposals for sports programming will create a host of economic and sporting opportunities.
“Today’s appointments are just another example of how London’s legacy plans are further ahead than any previous host Olympic City. By working closely with sporting bodies and our local communities now, we can ensure that these venues will have a full and compelling programme of activities for when they reopen after the Games.”
“As we kick off 2012, the year of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Diamond Jubilee, this is the perfect time for the Cabinet to come together and ensure we are doing absolutely everything we can to make the most of this unique opportunity to showcase all the great things the UK has to offer to the rest of the world.
“As Ministers visit Olympic venues, businesses, schools and organisations associated with 2012 right across the UK, I want the message to go out loud and clear, from tourism to business, sport to investment, we are determined to maximise the benefits of 2012 for the whole country.
“Today, as we mark 200 days to go, and six out of the eight Olympic venues having already secured their future, we are well on track to delivering a lasting legacy for the whole of Britain.”
“This is a ringing endorsement of our 2012 legacy and regeneration plans for east London and an amazing achievement by the Legacy Company. To find operators to take over these world-class facilities so far ahead of the Games and to secure their commitment to spread jobs and opportunities throughout the local communities is the icing on the 2012 cake.
“We can now start the run in to a fantastic year of celebration with huge pride and optimism that London will stage a great Games, delivering lasting sustainable benefits long after the athletes have departed.”
“It’s all go for London 2012, and today’s announcement shows the Games will leave a real and lasting legacy. These world-class sports venues will be opened up to both the public and elite athletes to use post-Games, while the ArcelorMittal Orbit will stand as an iconic London attraction. With operators for six of the eight permanent Olympic venues secured we are on track to have the future of the entire Park finalised before the Games begin.”
Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) will operate the Aquatics Centre and Multi-Use Arena for 10 years starting in 2013. The social enterprise currently oversees the management of over 100 public leisure centres across the south of England and in York, employing around 5,000 people, all locally recruited.
“We are delighted to have been awarded the contract to manage the 2012 Aquatics Centre and Multi-Use Arena post-2012. Our charitable social enterprise status, community values and successful track record, demonstrate that GLL is committed to opportunity for all, ensuring the Games offer a long-lasting sporting legacy all Londoners can enjoy. We look forward to working in partnership with the Legacy Company to deliver world-class legacy facilities.”
With an anticipated 800,000 visitors a year, the Aquatics Centre will be a thriving community asset open to all where individuals, families, people with disabilities, school children and the UK’s best sporting talent can all swim and train under the same roof.
“The appointment of an excellent operator in GLL is another key step in securing a sustainable future for these venues beyond the Games.
“Sport England looks forward to working with the Legacy Company and GLL to help develop their plans for community use, ensuring these world-class facilities provide a lasting legacy of increased participation at grassroots level, as well as hosting major events for many years to come.”
The Legacy Company and GLL are also working with a host of National Governing Bodies for sport, including British Swimming, Sport England, England Netball, the British Wheelchair Basketball Association and England Basketball, to ensure that the programming meets the requirements for athlete training.
The Multi-Use Arena will be a multi-purpose sport and entertainment venue where the public can play a wide range of sports including basketball, wheelchair basketball, handball, volleyball, netball, judo, boxing, badminton and gymnastics.
As the third largest arena in London, it can also host concerts, shows, exhibitions and conferences, along with major sporting events. It is anticipated it will attract around 400,000 visitors a year.
Balfour Beatty Workplace will manage the maintenance of the Park, known as Estates Facility Management (EFM), and the ArcelorMittal Orbit, for 10 years from 2013. Balfour Beatty Workplace is a market leading facilities management company committed to developing opportunities for jobs and training. Where necessary, Balfour Beatty Workplace will hire in the necessary expertise to ensure that the ArcelorMittal Orbit becomes one of London’s foremost visitor attractions, and that revenues are maximised.
“We are delighted to further extend our involvement with the London Olympics, which began with the Aquatics Centre and now continues with this highly prestigious role in ensuring London 2012 secures a magnificent, lasting legacy.”
Estates Facility Management services include cleaning, building and grounds maintenance, repairs and security for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The ArcelorMittal Orbit is already the UK’s tallest sculpture at 114m. Designed by Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond, the venue will have two observation floors, giving visitors a stunning view across London’s skyline. It will be operated as a visitor attraction with pricing in line with similar London attractions.
Balfour Beatty WorkPlace will deliver services in alliance with market leading organisations – The Landscape Group, Groundwork, Renaisi, Greenwich Leisure Limited, dittio, Green and Fortune, and Flamingo.
This coming year’s 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament will take place in Vancouver, BC from January 19-29 at BC Place. Canada and seven other CONCACAF nations will fight for two available tickets to the London 2012 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.
Canada, the reigning CONCACAF women’s champion, FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011 finalist USA, Mexico and Costa Rica are the favourites expected to fight for two CONCACAF spots open to the London 2012 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.
Those four teams finished first to fourth in the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifying last November. Also joining the field in 2012 are Guatemala, Haiti, Cuba and Dominican Republic.
Between now and the beginning of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, London 2012 will run a number of test events at all of its venues.
The London 2012 test events, called London Prepares, will include the first competitive sports to take place in the Olympic Park.
The events will test the sporting field of play; results, timing and scoring systems; how London 2012 teams work together and how people move around venues.
Below is a list of some of the test events already announced. There’ll be more to come, so check this page again in future to keep up-to-date.
Wimbledon
Gymnastics – Trampoline
UCI Track Cycling World Cup
British Swimming Championships
Artistic Gymnastics
Rhythmic Gymnastics
FINA Diving World CupLondon & Partners, the official promotional organisation for London will today sponsor the launch of Pride House, which will be open during next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.
On 26 July 2012, Pride House London will open its doors in support of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) community. Continuing the great work realised by Pride House Vancouver and Whistler at the 2010 winter games, this will be the second Pride House to join the line-up of Olympic houses and the first to be present at a summer games, representing a significant milestone for the LGBT community.
As one of the largest houses in London next summer, Pride House is expecting more than 250,000 visitors over seventeen days. A diverse programme is being developed with a number of partners to be announced in the New Year. Some highlights visitors can expect to find include live music and entertainment, an art exhibition featuring LGBT artists, sports tournaments and demonstrations with special appearances by professional athletes and big screens stationed around the venue showing televised broadcasts of Olympic events and highlights of Pride House.
The launch on Friday 9 December in London’s Living Room at City Hall will be supported by Pride House London ambassadors including psychologist, author and former NBA basketball player John Amaechi, member of the Great British women’s sitting volleyball training squad Claire Harvey, author, journalist, broadcaster and campaigner Peter Tatchell and founder and chief executive of Diversity Role Models Suran Dickson.
The ambassador program engages with active spokespeople who share the vision and mission of Pride House and promote the project through various speaking arrangements, workshops and educational seminars. Recent ambassadors include actor, director and comedian Stephen Fry, director and producer David Furnish and Olympic short-track speed skater Blake Skellerjup.
“Next summer Pride House will welcome athletes, dignitaries, media, Londoners and visitors from around the world with a dynamic and entertaining programme in support of the LGBT community”, said Chad Molleken, executive director of Pride House London. “It has been extremely rewarding to see the interest and engagement from organizations and individuals from around the world and today we are proud to announce partnerships with the It Gets Better Project, UK Pride Sports, LGBT History Month and Diversity Role Models.”
Stephen Fry commented on his support for the project: “I’m very proud and pleased to be an ambassador for Pride House London. All eyes will be on London for the 2012 games and Pride House is an idea that brings together so many of the elements that make London of the very the greatest cities in the world and a beacon of tolerance, diversity and pride. Pride House London is a symbol of how London remains one of the most truly cosmopolitan and accepting cities in the world.”
Gordon Innes, ceo London & Partners commented, “We are really excited about the prospect of Pride House in London – it’s a fantastic opportunity for the capital to celebrate our diverse community. The House will be a wonderful addition to the array of cultural experiences and other Houses which will be opening up across the city next year.”
Pride House aims to promote diversity and inclusion on a global scale, create awareness of homophobia in sport, encourage healthy and active lifestyles and bring communities together in the spirit of celebration. For more information please visit www.pridehouselondon.co.uk, find them onFacebook or follow them on Twitter.
As the first round of auditions for volunteer performers
To mark its closure pending a complete renovation and modernisation, The Olympic Museum will be offering free entry to all visitors until the end of January next year.
As of today, tourists and Olympic fans will have the opportunity to visit The Olympic Museum, home to myriad Olympic memorabilia as well as the renowned torches from all editions of theOlympic Games, without the need to pay an admission fee. Free entry is available for a period of eight weeks during which visitors will discover a special exhibition called ‘Best of’ 1992-2011 – 20 years of Olympism’ highlighting the greatest moments of the Olympic Games andOlympism. A programme dedicated to children is also planned over this popular end-of-year holiday season.
Opened in 1993 and partially updated in 2001, The Olympic Museum has welcomed more than 3.3 million visitors, making it the most popular museum in French-speaking Switzerland. It will close on 29 January 2012, after the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck,Austria.
The 20-month closure will allow for the major renovation, modernisation and expansion work which is needed to ensure that The Museum remains attractive to visitors from around the world for the next 20 years. An ambitious museographical, architectural and landscaping programme will enable The Museum to offer visitors a new experience by incorporating the latest technological innovations. The Museum park will also be redeveloped and will allow a more harmonious link to be created with the neighbouring Elysée Museum.
From April until October 2013, The Olympic Museum will have a temporary presence on the MS Helvétie, a boat belonging to the Compagnie générale de navigation (General Navigation Company, CGN) moored in front of The Museum. This Belle Époque boat, one of the largest in the CGN fleet, has not been used for the last nine years, after being retired following 75 years’ service on Lake Geneva. Its 600m2 of exhibition space will display a significant portion of The Museum’s Olympic contents.
Entry to the boat will be free and will enable visitors unaware of the closure of The Museum still to review some Olympic memorabilia. Between 100,000 and 200,000 visitors are expected during the renovation period, according to The Museum’s estimates.
Lord’s expects corporate hospitality to thrive in 2012 alongside Olympics
Lord’s Cricket Ground has forecast that cricket hospitality at the Ground will not be affected by its status as an official venue for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The Home of Cricket has released 2012 hospitality packages for general sale, including Test matches and One Day Internationals against South Africa and West Indies and an ODI against Australia.
Taking a six week break from the cricket season for the Games, Lord’s will be transformed into the home of archery, often said to be the oldest competitive sport in the world. In response to speculation on the matter, Lord’s has confirmed it is not anticipated that corporate demand for cricket will be impacted on as a result, citing an uplift of 10% pre-sale booking enquiries.
The 2012 international cricket season at Lord’s begins on Thursday 17th May with the 1st Test Match of the season between England and the West Indies, before age-old rivals Australia visit for a NatWest One Day International on Friday 29th June. Lord’s will host South Africa for their 3rd Test Match against England, beginning on Thursday 16th August, while Sunday 2nd September sees the 4th NatWest One Day International between the two sides.
Hospitality spaces allocated by Lord’s within the Ground include the Captains’ Lounge, in which private tables of up to 10 guests will be hosted by a former international captain, and the light-filled Nursery Pavilion, which features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the practice nets, where players warm up only metres away. All packages will include food created by Lord’s in-house catering team, demonstrating a commitment to sourcing local provenance including field fresh vegetables and meat from the award winning Piper’s Farm, Cullompton.
Julie Bacon, Lord’s Hospitality Manager, said: “The number of pre-sale enquiries we have received ahead of the 2012 cricket season points to a healthy demand among corporates for entertaining options at the Home of Cricket. The NatWest ODI against Australia in particular looks set to sell out within days as companies are eager to treat guests to a contest between old Ashes rivals.”
Schools will be encouraged to learn about the athletes and cultures of their chosen teams, along with Team GB and ParalympicsGB, in the lead-up to the London 2012 Games.
All schools can access free learning resources atwww.london2012.com/getsetgoesglobal to help them to select their teams. Resources designed to help young people get behind the athletes competing for Team GB and ParalympicsGB will be available via the ‘Get Set’ website in the new year.
Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), launched the scheme today at Perryfields Primary School in Oldbury, Sandwell, near Birmingham. The school has chosen to support the Ethiopian Olympic team because they have been inspired by the achievements and values of Haile Gebrselassie, the long-distance track and road running athlete.
They have also chosen to support the Zambian Paralympic team because they have a link with a Zambian school and would like to use this to build on the learning they have done about the Paralympic Games.
Today they are starting their learning through a number of different activities including researching Ethiopia’s and Zambia’s previous performance at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, their athletes, and their languages. The pupils will also create banners and flags to help them to show their support for the teams.
There will be up to 204 Olympic teams and 170 Paralympic teams competing at London 2012 and there are many ways a school can select a team. Schools could choose a team their school or community already has a link with or that speaks a language spoken in their school. They may choose a team training near them at a Pre Games Training Camp or by using the ‘team selector tool’ on the interactive map, available on the ‘Get Set goes global’ websitewww.london2012.com/getsetgoesglobal
Other schools that have already chosen their teams include:
St Catherine’s College in Northern Ireland who are supporting the Olympic and Paralympic teams from Suriname after learning about Surinamese international swimmer and Olympic gold medallist Anthony Nesty.
Lasswade High School in Midlothian, Scotland have chosen to support China and South Africa because of existing links with schools in those countries. They are particularly interested in the Chinese Gymnastics team and following South African Paralympian, Oscar Pistorius’, preparations for the Games.
Heolddu Comprehensive School in Wales who are supporting the Australian teams as the Australian Paralympic team is training in their local community. The school has also been linked with Warialda High School in New South Wales to develop their learning
Culloden Primary School in Tower Hamlets is supporting the Bangladesh Olympic team and the Jamaican Paralympic team because they have large numbers of students from both nations.
LOCOG Chair, Seb Coe said: ‘We have always said that we want every Olympic and Paralympic team to feel welcome on their arrival in the UK, while celebrating the multiculturalism and diversity of the UK. This is a fantastic example of how we plan to do that. The Get Set programme continues to inspire and engage young people across the UK and I am delighted to think that, through ‘Support a Team’, we will have a knowledgeable, interested and excited group of young supporters to welcome our athletes in 2012. I would urge all schools to select their teams now’.
Haile Gebrselassie, Olympic gold medal winning athlete said: ‘I am delighted to hear that young people will be learning about and supporting my fellow Ethiopian athletes in the lead-up to the London 2012 Games. Knowing that there are young people following your preparations and cheering you on is hugely motivational for an athlete. Thank you to the young people at Perryfields Primary School, and to all of the other young people planning to follow Ethiopia, for your support.’
President of the Zambian Paralympic Committee, Lango Sinkamba said: ‘The ‘Support a Team’ initiative sounds a great way for young people in the UK to learn about Zambia, our athletes and our culture. We hope all participating schools and in particular the young people at Perryfields Primary School enjoy learning about our nation and following the preparations of our team, and other teams, in the lead-up to the London 2012 Games and we thank you for your enthusiasm.’
Schools will also get the chance to showcase what they have learned about their teams and to celebrate the athletes, cultures and sports of the world on Monday 25 June 2012 as part of London 2012 World Sport Day, presented by Lloyds TSBwww.london2012.com/worldsportday
Get Set is the official London 2012 education programme for schools and colleges across the UK. More than 20,500 schools have already registered with the programme. It provides students and teachers with access to free resources including films, activity and fact sheets to support young people to explore the Olympic and Paralympic Values and play their part in the London 2012 Games. .
Over 8,000 have gone one step further to join the Get Set network reward and recognition scheme by demonstrating their commitment to living the Olympic and Paralympic Values.
Schools that join the ‘Get Set network’ reward and recognition scheme before Friday 16 December 2011 will also secure an allocation of tickets to the Games for students aged 10-18 at no cost through the London 2012 Ticketshare initiative, as well as other exclusive rewards and opportunities.
New research from VisitBritain highlighting the latest inbound visits to various towns and cities across the UK suggests that Britain’s Olympic cities are becoming increasingly popular tourist destinations. The new wider appeal of each location is highlighted in an analysis of overnight stays in the UK throughout 2010.
While London and Scottish capital Edinburgh maintain their position as the two most popular destinations for inbound visitors, places such as Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Windsor have shown that the Olympic spirit is alive and well across the UK, with many other regional towns also benefiting from a stopover by international guests.
When researchers looked at all types of visits, host city London – home to the Olympic Park and the largest shopping centre in Europe at Westfield Stratford City - came out as the top destination with 14.7 million overseas visits. It was followed in second place by Edinburgh, with 1.3 million overnight visitors soaking up the unique blend of traditional and modern Scottish culture.
Manchester, home to one of the most iconic football stadiums in the world (Old Trafford) and host to both men’s and women’s Olympic football matches, sits in third place with 811,000. But this North-West city is about more than just football – it’s the home of Brit cool with world famous galleries and theatres such as the Lowry centre and the Royal Exchange bringing the old and new of Manchester together. Local rival Liverpool comes in at sixth (452,000 staying visits).
Firmly placed in the top five with 551,000 overnight stays is Scotland’s style capital, Glasgow, which will see Olympic football matches take place at Hampden Park. Also Scotland’s largest city, it houses more than 30 museums and galleries and an annual programme of performing arts and festivals, and will play a key role in the Cultural Olympiad celebrations.
Cardiff at twelfth is the next highest Olympic city, with 260,000 overnight stays. Europe’s youngest capital and one of the fastest growing cities in Britain, Cardiff will also have the honour of hosting the very first event of the 2012 Games when Team GB’s women’s football team kick off the tournament at the Millennium Stadium. Fans can then explore the remarkable Cardiff Castle next door, before wandering amongst the best collection of Impressionist art outside Paris.
Newcastle (14th) and Windsor (20th) make up the final two Olympic towns in the top twenty most stayed in UK destinations for 2010. Foreign tourists were particularly lured to the North-East by its exuberant pub and club culture: a greater proportion of foreign visitors went to the pub (67%) here than any other area across the UK. Together with a spectacular coastline, Newcastle is enjoying more visitors coming to experience the likes of the awe-inspiring Hadrian’s Wall or marvel at the 20 metre high Angel of the North, one of the most viewed public sculptures in the world.
The recent Royal Wedding has helped highlight the great heritage experience that can be found at Windsor, and its international appeal will be boosted as it acts as the venue for the Olympic rowing and canoe sprint events. Within easy reach of London, Windsor’s royal connection – combined with contemporary shopping and fine dining – drew over 160,000 overseas visitors there last year.
Patricia Yates, Strategy and Communications Director for VisitBritain said: “The 2012 Games will see sporting battles take place across Britain, offering a fantastic showcase for the diversity and wonderful experiences that can be found in every area. In May, the Torch Relay will start on its 70 day journey covering almost 95% of the UK, inspiring each and every one of us as it winds its way around the country. We are then spoilt for choice as we host the London 2012 Festival, the biggest festival the UK has ever seen, with artists from all over the world converging on British towns, cities and villages to engage with the British public and tourists alike.
“It is clear that next year presents us with some real opportunities to showcase Britain to new audiences around the world. Our GREAT campaign will be launching in key global cities, raising the aspiration to travel to Britain and backed up by GREAT offers from our commercial partners to encourage visitors to come now.”
The latest figures released today saw Bath climb up seven spots to become the eleventh most stayed in town, while Southampton has entered the Top 20 for the first time. Over 300 towns have had at least 10,000 overseas visits since 2007, this includes the likes of Coventry, Fort William, Exeter, Stirling, Hastings, Gloucester, Shrewsbury, Ullapool, St Ives, Kendal, Truro and Fishguard.
French freestyle skier Kevin Rolland was unveiled today as the latest Youth Olympic Games Ambassador for the first edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck from 12 to 23 January 2012.
Rolland, 22, joins figure skater Yuna Kim and Alpine skiers Lindsey Vonn and Benjamin Raich as Ambassadors for the upcoming Games. Rolland was introduced in his new role by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge during an informal media gathering with Kim on the sidelines of the Bidding for the Games meetings in Lausanne.
Rolland, a FIS Freestyle World Ski champion, is aiming to make his mark at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games, which will feature halfpipe skiing for the first time on the Olympic programme following its debut at the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck.
The role of the Youth Olympic Games Ambassadors is to inspire and mentor the athletes competing at Innsbruck 2012, while encouraging young people from all over the world to become more active in sport.
“It’s a great honour to be part of the first ever Winter Youth Olympic Games and to share the responsibility of being an Ambassador with such a fantastic group of athletes,” Rolland said. “The values of the Olympic Games have always been important to me and with ski halfpipe now on the Olympic programme I can finally realise my dream of becoming an Olympian at Sochi 2014. I hope my story helps inspire the young athletes going to Innsbruck 2012 to reach for their dreams and to make the most of the unique opportunities the Youth Olympic Games have to offer.”
President Rogge said: “Kevin is a gifted athlete who embodies the passion and energy of his sport and I am certain he will have a huge impact on the athletes he comes in contact with as Youth Olympic Games Ambassador. Kevin can surely lead by example as a young man of 22 who has already been at the pinnacle of freestyle skiing for a number of years.”
Kevin, along with Kim and Vonn, also features in a new IOC social media contest designed to engage with young fans called “I Copy U”. Launched today, fans are tasked with tweeting a photo of themselves copying the poses of their favourite athletes. The winner of the contest will win a trip to Innsbruck for the Games.
Innsbruck 2012 will attract over 1,000 top athletes between the ages of 15 and 18 from 65 countries. The athletes will compete in the same seven sports as those on the programme of the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi in 2014, but a number of the 63 events will feature for the first time at an Olympic event. These include ski halfpipe, snowboard slopestyle and women’s ski jumping.
In addition to mixed gender events, there will also be mixed National Olympic Committee competitions.
The athletes will also participate in a Culture and Education Programme (CEP) featuring fun and engaging activities designed to provide guidance on a wide range of topics, including the Olympic values, the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle, and the prevention of sports injuries, among others.
During the 2012 Games, media from across the UK are being invited to register at the London Media Centre (LMC) – a working media centre for all national and international press who are not accredited at the official LOCOG press centre.
Based in central London, the LMC will be open to all press (both print and broadcast) interested in reporting the wider story taking place across London and the UK during the period of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
By registering, media will get access to a working press room, edit facilities, outside broadcast positions and content programmes both in London and around the UK. The content will include everything from accessing celebrities and spokespeople, attractions, guided tours, hospitality and much more.
Once registered, the LMC pass will act as a discount card and filming permit for designated areas outlined in the broadcast guide and will be active between 1st July 2012 and 10th September 2012.
To benefit from the London Media Centre, all press MUST register for a place. Registration details can be found here.
In addition to the services and offerings at the London Media Centre, press will be able to take advantage of:
A guide for broadcasters
This guide provides information for broadcasters wanting to film news and feature packages for their pre and games time programmes. The guide includes a list of boroughs and attractions working with the LMC to provide filming positions and permits. The guide can be downloaded for free here.
Original broadcast content
In order to share news stories, the London Media Centre is creating original editorial content every month for broadcasters and news agencies to use in the context of their Games programmes and features either online or for broadcast use.
Each monthly package will be themed and so far; A City Prepares, Accessibility and Sustainable London packages are available to download. The next packages produced will be Food and Drink and A Look at the Year Ahead.
HD quality broadcast packages can be downloaded here.
London Media Centre website
In spring 2012, the London Media Centre website will be launched offering images, case studies and information as well as the broadcast content.
British rowing champion, double Olympic Gold Medalist and international adventurer James Cracknell OBE is to speak at this year’s World Travel Market opening ceremony.
ExCeL is close to the The London Olympic Stadium, stunning centre piece of London 2012.
“The opening will be a powerful means of underlining the similarities of the Olympics and, in a modest way, World Travel Market”, said Reed ravel Exhibitions Chairman Fiona Jeffery.
“Both bring people closer together from across the world, breaking down cultural and geographical barriers, motivating and inspiring people to greater achievement.”
Cracknell will speak about how the Olympics helped to inspire him to a number of superhuman performances.
He won his Gold Medals in the coxless fours at Sydney in 2000 and the Athens Games in 2004, famously rowing with Sir Steven Redgrave.
In 2006 he participated in an emotional BBC documentary series in which he came second in the pairs division of the Atlantic Rowing Race, partnered by television presenter Ben Fogle.
It was in the same year that Cracknell announced his decision to retire from competitive rowing.
In 2009, James turned his attention to two epic adventures, trekking 473 miles to the South Pole and swimming the Straits of Gibraltar with theUKcomedian David Williams.
Last year he participated in what is thought to be the toughest foot race on the planet, the Marathon des Sables, a six-day, 156-mile ultra-marathon, run in the searing heat of the Moroccan desert, where temperatures rise to 49C (120F), coming in at12th place.
It was shortly after this when Cracknell received a direct hit on the back of his head from the wing-mirror of a giant fuel tanker while competing in a coast-to-coast journey across theUnited States, using four disciplines: cycling, running, rowing and swimming.
He ended up in intensive care with a severe head injury – but defied doctors by recovering.
World Travel Market’s VIP opening ceremony takes place at ExCeL London on Monday 7 November at 11.30am
With just 12 weeks until 2012, London & Partners, the official promotional company for London has suggested 12 great things to do in the capital before this momentous year begins. With many experiences only available until the end of the year – there has never been a better time to visit London.
For more ideas about what’s on in London over the next few months, go towww.visitlondon.com/limited-edition-london
Discover your inner child and delve into the captivating world of witches, wizards, fairies, elves, dragons, magicians and illusionists at the V&A Museum of Childhood’s new exhibition Magic Worlds.
Watch Roald Dahl’s much-loved classic Matilda come alive in this brand new musical from 18 October at the Cambridge Theatre.
Keep the kids out of trouble during half term and join storyteller-in-residence Seema Anand for an alternative tour of the National Maritime Museum. She will take you and your family diving beneath the surface of the gallery and get you talking about the unexpected things you might find there on 24, 26 & 28 October.
Visit The British Museum from the 6 October – 8 January and see Grayson Perry: The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman with an eclectic selection of objects from right across world cultures, from Polynesian fetishes to Buddhist votive offerings as well as Perry’s own artwork especially for the exhibition.
Take in the largest collection of works by the great master Leonardo Da Vinci, at one of the most exciting exhibitions this year. Leonardo da Vinci: Painter at the Court of Milan is at the National Gallery from 9 November.
On 12 November, enjoy vibrant samba dancing, military marching bands and a host of entertainment as the legendary Lord Mayor’s Show winds its way through the heart of London. The finale will be a spectacular fireworks display on the Thames between Blackfriars Bridge and Waterloo Bridge.
From 16 November, head along the river to the Design Museum to see Terence Conran: The Way We Live Now. Coinciding with Sir Terence Conran’s 80th birthday, this major exhibition celebrates his contribution to, and influence on, the world of design.
Indulge in a Thanksgiving Feast at JW Steakhouse on 24 November. Guests can choose from a delicious 3 course menu including clam chowder, lump crab cakes, traditional turkey with all the trimmings, Loch Duart salmon, sweet potato mash and JW creamed spinach. Desserts include triple chocolate cake, pumpkin pie or Bettie’s bread pudding. Yum!
‘Have a Bubble’ at the Museum of London Docklands on 24 November with some of the brightest new comics this side of the Bow Bells with Mock the Week’s Miles Jupp, Paul Sweeney, Jim Campbell and Suzi Ruffell.
Get into the festive spirit with a mulled wine and mince pie experience on the EDF Energy London Eye. Individual Mulled Wine Experiences are also on offer, as well as the Mulled Wine and Mince Pies Private Capsule and Champagne tasting.
On 10 & 11 December the world’s largest traffic-free shopping event returns to London’s West End for a Christmas celebration and shopping extravaganza. Oxford Street and Regent Street will be closed to traffic across the weekend to celebrate the American Express Shop West End VIP (Very Important Pedestrians) Weekend.
Find your inner scrooge … at the Museum of London from 9 December 2011. This fascinating exhibit named, A Tale of One Man and his City is largest exhibition marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens. It will reveal that Dickens was the first great novelist of the modern city and the age of mass culture. Original and rarely seen manuscripts of his most famous novels, including Bleak House and David Copperfield, will be on show.
The Earl of Bradford, chairman of the Restaurant Association and owner of Porters English Restaurant and Covent Garden Grill, said the Royal Wedding last April was a “wash-out” and he suspected the Olympics could be, too. “I think that’s an example when people are in London specifically for one reason they don’t think of going out to a restaurant.”
He questioned whether theatregoers, who dine out regularly, would go into London during the Games. This summer, more than half the shows in the West End extended their booking periods to offer sales 15 months in advance to cover the Olympic dates.
Richard Shepherd, another restaurateur, is considering closing his four restaurants, including Langan’s Brasserie, during the Games after takings plunged by 75 per cent over the Royal Wedding period. “I think a lot of people are going to catch a cold again,” he said. Mr Shepherd suggested London’s roads would be “gridlocked” and regulars would go on holiday to avoid the disruption.
Peter Prescott, managing director of Prescott & Conran, which runs the Boundary and Albion restaurants in Shoreditch, east London, and Lutyens in Fleet Street, is concerned regular business customers will attend corporate events hosted by the Games organising committee’s sponsors and partners at Olympic venues rather than entertain in restaurants. Many Olympic events clashed with normal dining times, he said.
He is also concerned about receiving deliveries – he is already hearing from suppliers about difficulties caused by disruptions to their routes.
But Mark Evers at Transport for London, in charge of getting spectators to the events, said the Games would provide restaurants with “incredible opportunities”, but those in affected areas needed to start planning now. He said talking to suppliers early and testing alternative arrangements should minimise the impact.
Sara Galvin, of Galvin Restaurants, which has four London eateries including the Michelin-starred La Chapelle, was being positive. She said restaurants needed to “think outside the box”. The company has an Olympics website page, translated into four languages, offering customers the opportunity to dine at different times to fit around the sporting action, watch televised events while they eat or hire the restaurant.
The chef Tom Aikens’s London restaurants are among those that have signed the London Visitor Charter, promising fair pricing during 2012. He said visitors would not be at events every day and argued that people who might otherwise go away for the summer would stay in the capital for the “once in a lifetime experience”.
Nevertheless, Tom Jenkins, executive director of the European Tour Operators Association, bemoaned a “total absence of normal tourists” in London during the Olympics. He said that, while operators would normally expect to bring between 20,000 and 30,000 people per night into London during August, there was currently a 95 per cent decline in leisure business during the Games.
A spokeswoman for London & Partners, a promotional agency, said it was aware of displacement – people leaving or avoiding the capital because of the Games and said other host cities had experienced the same. It is running a campaign called Limited Edition London to highlight unique events happening in the capital between now and the Games.For more information, please go to [http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/london-olympics-will-see-trade-drop-restaurateurs-claim-2371364.html]
As the Austrian city of Innsbruck celebrates 100 days to go until the first ever Winter Youth Olympic Games in January 2012, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is pleased to announce that figure skater and Olympic champion Yuna Kim from the Republic of Korea is the latest Winter Youth Olympic Games Ambassador.
Twenty-one-year-old Kim’s appointment follows the announcement of her fellow Winter Youth Olympic Games Ambassadors Lindsey Vonn and Benjamin Raich, who will play a key part in supporting the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck.
The role of the Ambassadors for the Innsbruck 2012 Youth Olympic Games is to inspire and mentor the athletes competing at the Games while encouraging young people from all over the world to become more active in sport.
Kim said: “I am delighted and honoured to be a Winter Youth Olympic Games Ambassador. The Youth Olympic Games are an exceptional event and I am excited to be part of the first ever winter edition. Having competed as an athlete since a very young age, I can relate to the participants of Innsbruck 2012 and I hope I can share my knowledge, passion and experience to motivate them to reach their potential.”
IOC President Jacques Rogge said: “To have such a dedicated, gifted and internationally renowned athlete to mentor the athletes going to Innsbruck 2012 is fantastic news. Yuna is an outstanding Olympic champion, setting a new world record in winning her gold medal in Vancouver last year. She was excellent in her role as PyeongChang 2018 Athlete Ambassador, and I am sure that as a Youth Olympic Games Ambassador she will inspire young people to compete in winter sports.”
To commemorate 100 days to go until the Games, Innsbruck 2012 has launched a line of merchandise, including many items featuring the popular mascot, Yoggl. For more information, please see: www.innsbruck2012.com.
Scheduled to take place from 13 to 22 January 2012, the Innsbruck Winter Youth Olympic Games will attract over 1,000 top athletes between the ages of 15 and 18 from 65 countries. The athletes will compete in the same seven sports as those on the programme of the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi in 2014, but a number of the 63 events will feature for the first time at an Olympic event. These include ski halfpipe, snowboard slopestyle and women’s ski jumping.
In addition to mixed gender events, there will also be mixed National Olympic Committee competitions.
The athletes will also participate in a Culture and Education Programme (CEP) featuring fun and engaging activities designed to provide guidance on a wide range of topics, including the Olympic values, the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle, and the prevention of sports injuries, among others.
LONDON, September 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ –
- Olympic and Paralympic Hopefuls Lead Call for Ticketholders to Neutralise Their Travel Carbon Footprint to the Games
In supporting the ambition for London 2012 to be the most sustainable Games possible, BP Target Neutral announced today that they are inviting London 2012 ticketholders, from across the world, to try and set a new world record for the most number of people offsetting their travel carbon to a single event.
In so doing, BP’s not-for-profit Target Neutral carbon management scheme is seeking to create awareness of the environmental impact of all journeys and will invite ticketholders to sign up to have their travel carbon footprint offset at no cost to themselves.
As the London 2012 official Carbon Offset Partner, BP Target Neutral will be providing the administration and funds to offset the carbon emissions from Games-related travel of ticketholders. The more people that sign up, the more Target Neutral can support low carbon development projects worldwide.
A personal invitation to participate will be emailed by The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) to ticketholders on Monday, October 3, inviting them to take part in this unprecedented world record attempt.
JESSICA ENNIS, TEAM GB HEPTATHLETE & BP TARGET NEUTRAL ATHLETE AMBASSADOR said:
“BP’s Target Neutral is so simple to be part of and it’s free. With us all working together we can really make a difference and help make London 2012 the most sustainable Games possible. So come on, it’s quick and easy to do! If you’re a ticketholder, please help to set a new world record at London 2012 of the largest number of people to offset the carbon footprint of their travel to a single event.”
SEB COE, Chair of LOCOG said:
“Sustainability underpins all of our plans – and has done since the bid. BP’s Target Neutral scheme is a fantastic opportunity for millions to offset their carbon footprint and help London 2012 to inspire positive social, economic and environmental change for the future. ”
PETER MATHER, UK & VICE PRESIDENT, EUROPE REGION BP, announcing the initiative, said:
“We want to encourage people to play their part in tackling the impact of their travel on our environment. Today’s announcement supports Target Neutral’s overriding ambition that, through collective action, individuals can work together to make a real difference to the environment as they seek to reduce their carbon footprint, and then offset what is left.
“We believe this mass offset opportunity will raise awareness about the challenge we all face in living more sustainably and will engage people who might never before have thought about the carbon impact of their travel choices. We need every spectator to sign up, so London 2012 becomes the world’s largest offset as measured by number of participants.”
Some outstanding British Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls – Jessica Ennis, Lizzie Armitstead, Richard Whitehead, Shelly Woods, Stef Reid and William Sharman – are working hard to reduce their carbon footprint and sharing their experiences.
All carbon emissions will be offset from a portfolio of six carbon offset projects that have been chosen to represent each continental region participating in the Games. These projects have been carefully selected and are compliant with ICROA Code of Best Practice.
Ticketholders should visit http://www.bptargetneutral.com/london2012 or Facebook page http://on.fb.me/BPtargetneutral to register their journey to the Olympics and be part of making London 2012 the most sustainable Games possible.
The 14th World Sport for All Conference came to a successful conclusion in Beijing today with 527 participants from around the world issuing a call to action in a unanimously approved final declaration.
The declaration was tabled by International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sport for All Commission Chairman Sam Ramsamy at the closing ceremony, and called on sports and non-sports organisations such as governments, the health sector, schools and corporations, to embrace the spirit of Sport for All and promote participation by all sectors of society in sport and physical activity.
Among the action points contained in the declaration, the participants called for increased collaboration between the various entities involved in promoting the benefits of Sport for All activities, the use of tools such as social media to get the message out and promote dialogue, and the organisation of Sport for All events wherever possible.
The format of the Conference was altered this year to include a wider range of participants and encourage interaction and collaboration. The focus of the Conference this year was on practical applications and best practices that could be shared among participants and implemented worldwide.
With that in mind, representatives from governments and sports bodies were invited to attend and share their experiences in workshops and interactive panel sessions designed to encourage greater and more fruitful discussions.
“We have had a really excellent World Conference, and I would like to thank the organisers for their work,” said IOC President Jacques Rogge. “Our philosophy and approach to this year’s Conference was to share ways to get people of all ages and abilities more active. We have accomplished a lot this week in a very interactive and stimulating environment, and our declaration is an important step in the right direction.”
The Conference, which was hosted by the Chinese Olympic Committee and Beijing Municipal Government and organised by the IOC and Beijing Olympic City Development Association, was also the first of its kind to welcome a large number of local and international media.
The 15th World Sport for All Congress will take place in 2013 in Lima, Peru.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is pleased to announce that six cities have been put forward by their respective National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to apply to host the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in 2020. The cities, in alphabetical order, are: Baku (Azerbaijan), Doha (Qatar), Istanbul (Turkey), Madrid (Spain), Rome (Italy) and Tokyo (Japan).
NOCs had until 1 September 2011 to notify the IOC that a city within their jurisdiction was interested in applying. In addition, all of the above NOCs/cities complied with the newly introduced prerequisite criteria established by the IOC Executive Board (EB) in October 2010.
The six Applicant Cities will now proceed to Phase 1 of the IOC’s two-step procedure, which will lead to the election of the 2020 host city in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 7 September 2013.
• Phase 1, known as the Candidature Acceptance Procedure, focuses on a technical review and the cities’ ability to host the Olympic Games in 2020. Cities are required to answer a questionnaire, and their answers are studied by the IOC. At the end of this first phase, the IOC EB selects the cities that will become Candidate Cities and therefore move on to Phase 2.
• Phase 2, known as the Candidature Procedure, concentrates on Games operational matters. Candidate Cities will be requested to submit their Candidature File – which is an in-depth description of their Olympic project – and will be subject to a technical assessment made by a visiting team – the IOC Evaluation Commission. The IOC Evaluation Commission’s appraisal will be published in a report and sent to the IOC members no later than one month before they cast their votes on 7 September 2013 and in time for the 2020 briefing for IOC Members. The report will also be available to the public on www.olympic.org.
Information on the Candidature Acceptance Procedure, including the questionnaire to which Applicant Cities must respond by 15 February 2012 and the rules applicable to this process, can be found on www.olympic.org.
|
Event |
Deadline |
|
PHASE 1
|
|
| Submission letters regarding WADA compliance and CAS Submission of proposed dates if outside normal Olympic Games period (15 July – 31 August) | By 29 July 2011 |
| IOC to send confirmation regarding WADA compliance, CAS and the proposed dates | By 29 August 2011 |
| NOCs to inform the IOC of the name of an Applicant City | 1 September 2011 |
| IOC information seminar for 2020 Applicant Cities, Lausanne | 3-4 November 2011 |
| Submission of the Application File and guarantee letters to the IOC | 15 February 2012 |
| IOC Executive Board to accept Candidate Cities | May 2012 |
| PHASE 2 | |
| Olympic Games Observers’ Programme – London 2012 | 27 July – 12 August 2012 |
| London 2012 debrief in Rio de Janeiro | November 2012 |
| Submission of Candidature File to the IOC | 7 January 2013 |
| Visits by the IOC Evaluation Commission to the Candidate Cities | February- April 2013 |
| Report by the 2020 IOC Evaluation Commission | tbc |
| Candidate City Briefing to IOC Members | tbc |
| Election of the Host City of the 2020 Olympic Games | 7 September 2013125th IOC Session, Buenos Aires |
The application of Doha will be assessed on dates within the range proposed by the Qatar Olympic Committee – 20 September to 20 October – and accepted, in principle, by the IOC EB at its meeting in Daegu last week.
While accepting the proposal in principle, the EB specifically asked the Qatar NOC for full assurances on the following points:
1. In order to protect the health of the athletes, the IOC will publish a list of events which must be organised at the most appropriate time determined by the IOC (early morning/late afternoon).
2. This scheduling should not be detrimental to the organisation, the broadcast coverage or the spectator experience.
3. Measures should be taken to protect the health of the public and all technical and support staff.
These assurances, along with the other elements of the Qatari application, will be evaluated by the EB in May 2012, as part of the applicant phase of the 2020 bidding process.
* The cities will be listed in alphabetical order until such time as the official drawing of lots is carried out by the IOC EB in December 2011. The order of drawing of lots will then be used until the election of the 2020 host city.
With one year to go until the London 2012 Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today officially invited the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) of the world and their athletes to attend the London Games.
IOC President Jacques Rogge formally invited the world’s NOCs during a public ceremony in London’s historic Trafalgar Square. In the presence of HRH the Princess Royal, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Mayor of London Boris Johnson, IOC Coordination Commission Chairman Denis Oswald and London 2012 Chair Sebastian Coe, as well as thousands of members of the public, the IOC President symbolically presented a number of NOCs with their invitations.
The NOCs that received their invitations directly in London were: the Hellenic Olympic Committee (representing the birthplace of the Games), the Chinese Olympic Committee (the host of the previous Games of the Olympiad), and the future host NOCs of Great Britain, Russia, Brazil and the Republic of Korea. The other NOCs will receive their invitations by post directly from the IOC’s headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
“Inviting the NOCs to participate in the Games is a key milestone in organising the Olympic Games,” President Rogge said. “It symbolises the start of the one-year countdown for both the organisers and the athletes, and brings the dreams of all those involved a little closer to reality. For those aiming for London, I’m sure that today will motivate them that little bit more, knowing that their time to shine is drawing closer. I believe that the NOCs and athletes are excited and I’m sure that the fantastic British public is ready to give all the sportsmen and sportswomen competing next year a very warm British welcome.”
LOCOG Chair Sebastian Coe said, “Today is a proud moment for us as organisers. A year out is traditionally the point when the athletes of the world are invited to the Games. We are on track, but there is much to do. In 365 days’ time the eyes of the world will be on the UK. We will be ready.”
The invitation ceremony also featured the first dive into the London 2012 Aquatics Centre pool, performed by British Olympian Tom Daley, and the unveiling of the London 2012 Olympic medals. The Aquatics Centre also saw the first swim take place earlier in the day under the watchful eyes of President Rogge and Chairman Oswald.
London will host the Games of the XXX Olympiad from 27 July to 12 August 2012.
London has celebrated one year to go until the start of the 2012 Olympic Games, with myriad events taking place across the host city.
During a public ceremony in London’s Trafalgar Square, IOC President Jacques Rogge formally invited the world’s National Olympic Committees and their athletes to attend the 2012 Olympic Games, while the medals that athletes will strive to win next year were also unveiled for the first time.
Earlier, the one-year-to-go milestone had been marked by the completion of the Aquatics Centre – the sixth and final new venue to be built in the Olympic Park.
To celebrate its completion, Britain’s synchronised swimming team performed a routine in which they formed the number one, to signify the year-to-go countdown, while British Olympian Tom Daley also made the first dive into the Olympic pool.
Elsewhere, Omega unveiled a countdown clock in Greenwich, while Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG), and former Olympic silver medallist Colin Jackson made plaster casts of their feet at London’s St Pancras Eurostar terminal to mark the “first steps” toward the Games.
IOC President Jacques Rogge said: “One year to go is a special time for any host nation. It is the moment when the International Olympic Committee invites the National Olympic Committees and their athletes to attend the Games, when Olympic dreams start to come into focus, and when the world turns its attention in earnest to the city that will welcome it in only 365 days’ time.
“London has come a long way since its election in 2005 in Singapore and the 2012 team and its partners are to be congratulated for their work. London 2012 is now ideally placed not just to deliver top level Olympic competition but also to leave a great legacy to the British people. I wish London well as it enters its final year of preparations and testing and I am confident that next summer this great city will once again do the Olympic movement proud.”
Coe added: “With a year to go we are inviting the athletes, spectators and visitors from around the world to come to the UK next summer – it’s ‘London Calling’. Waiting for them will be a spectacular festival of sport and culture in the world’s greatest city, which will be more magical and vibrant than ever. There is much to do in the next 12 months, but we can take huge comfort in the progress that has been made so far. We are absolutely on track and determined to stage Olympic and Paralympic Games which will deliver on the promises we made in Singapore, inspire the athletes and make the nation proud.”
A recent survey of international students in the capital showed that 97% were aware that London is hosting the 2012 Games, and of those 97%, 21% said the Games influenced them to study in London by either some extent (17%) or a great extent (4%).
For the last eight years London has been the world’s leading destination for international students. More than 105,000 international students now come to the capital for higher education, cementing the city’s place as the world’s most popular destination for foreign students.
The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will offer a number of opportunities to these international students in the capital – giving them a great chance to be involved in a once in a lifetime event in the city in which they are studying.
Students can become involved in a number of ways – from recruiting volunteers to providing language services; there are plenty of opportunities available.
There are a number of initiatives that have already begun.
Opportunities for students
Students studying human resource management at Kingston University have been given the job of interviewing some of the volunteers who’ll be giving up their time to be a part of the London 2012 team organising the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Talented postgraduate students at the Royal College of Art (RCA) will have the honour of designing key elements of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games medal presentation ceremonies. Students will design the podia, costumes, flower holders as well as the trays used to carry the medals and flowers for more than 700 victory ceremonies which will be taking place in 29 different venues across the UK at Games-time, watched by thousands of spectators in venues and a global television audience.
Students from Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design have presented design strategies for Games-time big screens and event spaces to London 2012. The two groups of MA Innovation Management students presented their conclusions to the London 2012 Live Sites team after more than three months research for the study.
Students from SOAS and the University of Westminster are also working with London 2012 to support language services roles that will be required starting from June to September 2012. This will give opportunities for students to provide consecutive interpretation services to the press, sport, medical services and other parties and provide language support to the Olympic & Paralympic family.
Training for the Games
Many London students are also training to compete at the Games – from one university alone, Brunel University, 12 potential Olympians are training to compete in Athletics at the Games.
They are: Perri Shakes Drayton (400m hurdles), Rion Pierre (Sprints), Nick Leavey (Sprints), Laura Turner (Sprints), Kelly Sotherton (400m), Joey Duck (Sprints), Jonathan Boyton (Canoeing), Eniola Aluko, Anita Asante (Football) and Heather Fell (Modern Pentathlon), Tom Aggar and Beth Rodford (Rowing).
London universities will be hosting training camps for international teams and athletes. St Mary’ University College is preparing to host athletes from the South African, Irish and Chinese Olympic squads as they prepare for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012. The University College has been selected for the official Pre-Games Training Camp for seven sports in the Olympic Games and six in the Paralympic Games.
Brunel University, one of the UK’s best universities for sport, will be the official London 2012 Olympic training camp for the Korean Olympic team. Brunel’s world-class sports facilities will be put at the disposal of the Korean athletes for the duration of the Games from 20 July 2012 to 12 August 2012.
Imperial College London has signed a deal with the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) to provide accommodation and training facilities for the country’s athletes during London 2012. The College will be providing accommodation in Prince’s Gardens in addition to providing general access to sports facilities and sports injury treatments in Ethos. Japanese athletes competing in judo and wrestling will be able to use the sports hall as their practice venue and further training opportunities for other sports and further facility use are currently being explored with the JOC.
Supporting the Games
King’s College London has formed an alliance with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to enable its world-renowned Drug Control Centre to operate a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited satellite laboratory during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Professor David Cowan, Director of the Drug Control Centre, is leading the partnership between GSK and King’s. He played a key role in the successful 2012 Olympic bid, and has been involved in the science of anti-doping across four Winter Olympic Games, two Summer Olympic Games and several Commonwealth Games.
To find more about Higher Education promotion in London see londonandpartners.com
Securing a lasting legacy that extended far beyond the Closing Ceremony was a key part of the London Organising Committee’s plans from the outset and this vision has seen the Games become the catalyst for regenerating 2.5 sq. km of industrial land in the east of the city.
In three years, this area has been transformed into the London 2012 Olympic Park and, with five venues in the Park already completed, LOCOG’s legacy plans are already coming to fruition.
“The Olympic Park is fast becoming a jewel in the crown of east London,” said Paul Deighton, the LOCOG Chief Executive, recently. “It is a fantastic urban park which will be the backdrop to world-class sporting competition in the summer of 2012 and an area which will benefit Londoners for generations to come.
“This former industrial landscape has been completely transformed into a family-friendly environment and a centre for sporting excellence.”
The first venue completed within the Park was the velodrome, which will host track cycling events during the Games. Once the Games have finished, a mountain bike course and road-cycling circuit will be added to create a VeloPark for the local community, sports clubs and elite athletes.
The Olympic Stadium, completed in March, will welcome professional football, as well as being used for athletics and community events after the Games.
Elsewhere in the Olympic Park, the temporary basketball arena was completed in June, while work has also finished on the handball arena, which will be adapted to become a multi-use sports centre post-Games, providing indoor sporting facilities for the local community.
The International Broadcast Centre has also seen the end of construction and will be converted for office and commercial use after the Games, with the potential to generate thousands of new jobs.
“As we near the end of the construction stage, we remain on schedule and within budget,” said John Armitt, Chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority. “A world-class platform has been created for the Games and strong foundations will be left to build a lasting legacy.”
Construction of the park itself has also brought economic benefits to the local area. Over 12,000 people are currently working on-site and it is estimated that 30,000 workers will have worked on the project by its completion. Approximately 7 per cent of these people were unemployed prior to beginning work on the site.
Moreover, the Olympic Park will provide a social legacy after the Games, when it will be transformed into one of the largest urban parks created in Europe for more than 150 years, with around 250 acres of new parklands, creating open space for local residents and new wildlife habitat.
The Athletes’ Village will also be converted into homes, and there will be further housing built within the Olympic Park as well as amenities such as shops, restaurants and cafes.
Additionally, there has been significant investment in improving transport connections for the Olympic Park, including an extension to the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), increased capacity on the Jubilee Line and the upgrade of the three gateway stations for the Park – West Ham, Stratford International and Stratford.
By heeding the IOC’s advice that post-Games legacy should be an integral part of planning, London 2012 is ensuring that these Games will be remembered not only as a summer of fantastic sport, but also as the catalyst for the regeneration of one of the most underdeveloped areas of the UK.
The IOC has kicked off the registration process for next year’s IOC World Conference on Women and Sport, which will take place from 16 to 18 February 2012 in Los Angeles, USA. Under the theme “Together Stronger: The Future of Sport”, the event is being organised jointly by the IOC, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games.
Click here to register now
Access key: MjYlaW5jb25udSUyNg
Click here to follow updates on the Conference:
www.olympic.org/losangeles2012
The theme stands for the positive evolution in the promotion of girls and women in sport, especially during the last two decades. The call that is linked to it aims to streamline the discussions and efforts of all stakeholders involved to the next level, with women and men working together to remove some of the barriers to gender equality in sport that still exist.
Conference participants and high-level speakers will comprise representatives from the sports community, the United Nations system, specialised organisations, universities, governments, non-governmental organisations, the business world and the media.
Topics to be discussed in plenary and breakout sessions include:
A highlight will be the presentation of the 2012 IOC Women and Sport Awards, which recognise outstanding initiatives that enhance the participation, development and involvement of women and young girls in society through sport. One world and five continental trophies will be awarded to individuals and organisations. Candidates can be put forward by National Olympic Committees (NOCs), International Federations (IFs) and Continental Associations until 31 August 2011.
Click here for the invitation letter
Click here for the general rules
Click here for the candidature form
Click here for an example of a completed candidature form
Learn more about the winners of the 2011 Women and Sport Awards
A full Conference programme and updated information will be published soon onwww.olympic.org/losangeles2012
- Dara Torres, five-time U.S. Olympic swimmer, announced as global ambassador of worldwide initiative
- Largest ever McDonald’s Olympic Champion Crew Team to serve athletes, media and spectators
OAK BROOK, Ill., July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — McDonald’s Corporation, a Worldwide Olympic Partner and Official Restaurant of the Olympic Games, today announced its sponsorship plans forLondon 2012 that will focus on championing happy, active kids. The new McDonald’s Champions of Play for the Olympic Games features five-time U.S. Olympic Swimmer and mom, Dara Torres, as the global ambassador.
McDonald’s Champions of Play for the Olympic Games
Building on the success of McDonald’s kids’ program at the Olympic Games in Beijing and Vancouver, McDonald’s Champions of Play for the Olympic Games will bring kids from around the world together for a unique experience in London. The new global program will encourage a balanced approach to nutrition and activity for children.
Participating McDonald’s countries will initiate grassroots activities for children ages 6 to 10. Through a local market selection process, up to 200 children and a guardian will travel to London for the 2012 Olympic Games.
“For the first time ever, McDonald’s Champions of Play for the Olympic Games will tour and play with athletes at the actual Olympic venues,” said Kevin Newell, McDonald’s Global Chief Brand Officer. “This will be an unforgettable, inspiring moment for our champions, along with attending the Games, seeing McDonald’s Chef demonstrations, taking an exclusive tour of the Olympic Village dining area, visiting London’s cultural sites, and making new friends.”
International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said, “McDonald’s has been a long-time and valued partner of the Olympic Movement. We appreciate McDonald’s incredible ability to reach millions of fans with innovative, inspiring programs that connect with the Olympic Spirit. We are working together to promote sport and inspire children around the world to lead balanced, active lifestyles.”
McDonald’s Champions of Play for the Olympic Games program also can be enjoyed by families across the globe through:
Program ambassador Dara Torres said, “I want to make a positive difference in the lives of children and families, so it’s a natural fit for me to join McDonald’s today, and in the years ahead, as we inspire happy and active kids. Together, through the new McDonald’s Champions of Play for the Olympic Games, we can reach millions of people about the benefits of balanced food choices and play for kids everywhere.”
McDonald’s Quality Food Served at the Games
As the Official Restaurant of the Olympic Games, McDonald’s is the only branded retail food service provider to feed the athletes. McDonald’s will have four new Olympic venue restaurants: one in the Olympic Village, one in the Main Press Center, and two in the Olympic Park for spectators – one of which will be the largest McDonald’s freestanding restaurant in the world.
McDonald’s will offer a variety of familiar favorites and popular items from the UK. To help celebrate the connection between the Olympics and families, McDonald’s will serve its Happy Meal® for the first time in its Olympic venue restaurants including fruit, vegetable and dairy options.
“Competing at the Olympic level is the result of thousands of hours of dedication in many areas, including nutrition. Having access to familiar, quality food in the Athlete’s Village can support our athletes’ success at the Games,” said, Dr. Nanna Meyer, RD, CSSD, United States Olympic Committee Senior Sports Dietician. “When it comes to food, athletes love options. It’s great that McDonald’s offers a range of balanced choices, which can easily fit into the eating patterns of athletes of all ages and different physical demands.”
McDonald’s UK Open Farms
As part of the company’s commitment to food quality, McDonald’s UK has opened its doors for customers and media to see some of the 17,500 British and Irish farms that provide the quality ingredients and food for McDonald’s UK menu, and theLondon 2012 Olympic Games.
“By opening up our supply chain, we are allowing people to see for themselves the high-quality ingredients that make up our menu – everything from beef, to lettuce and potatoes,” said Jill McDonald, Chief Executive Officer, McDonald’s UK. “We are championing the farmers who supply our restaurants throughout the UK every day, and who will also help us supply food to our four Olympic restaurants at the Games.”
McDonald’s Olympic Champion Crew – Largest Team in Olympic History
McDonald’s best-of-the-best crew and managers will work at its Olympic venue restaurants. In the next year, McDonald’s will select 2,000 of its top-performing restaurant staff from the UK and around the world – the largest Olympic team ever assembled – to serve the world’s top athletes, coaches, spectators, media and officials at the Games. These brand ambassadors will have the opportunity to meet Olympic athletes, attend competitions, participate in their own sports and activities in the Royal Parks, visit cultural sites in London, and socialize with their international peers.
Consumers will increase their spend by up to £750m during the seven-week period of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, according to a report by Visa Europe.
During the three-week period between the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic Games, the economy will receive a £621m spending boost. This will be supplemented by a further £129m spending boost during the Paralympic Games. This would mark an uplift of 18.5% above what would be expected over the same period, had the Games not taken place.
The report, entitled “Golden Opportunity – London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Expenditure and Economic Impact” was released to mark the 25th anniversary of Visa’s global sponsorship of the Olympic Games.
The retail, leisure and travel sectors look set to be the biggest winners of the Games, benefiting from a combined spending injection of £508.4m in seven weeks. The hotel sector will benefit from a predicted £122.6m spending profit whilst the entertainment and food and drink industry will benefit from an extra £81.5m.
The report further predicts that this record spend will result in an ongoing financial stimulus worth £5.1bn to the UK economy by 2015.
The data analysed for the report includes international visitor spending at previous Olympic Games and major sporting tournaments, domestic spending at previous Olympic Games and major sporting tournaments, typical spending of international visitors in London and spending patterns of UK consumers during big sporting events like the World Cup.
Marc O’Brien, Managing Director, Visa UK said: “As the report shows, the UK will benefit from an immediate positive economic impact as a result of a large increase in consumer spending during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Much like the World Cup, British consumers are expected to boost supermarket sales by £80m as Britain lives up to its reputation as a nation of sport lovers, meaning for the first time domestic spend is forecast to grow during a Games, previously unheard of for a host market. What’s so encouraging for the wider economy is the ripple effect this will cause – economic output will increase and the benefits will be felt in people’s pockets as incomes increase. This immediate positive economic boost will translate into sustained economic stimulus and job creation, impacts which will be felt long after the Games have finished.”
London Mayor Boris Johnson said: “I am determined that hosting the Games in 2012 will transform the wider job prospects and economic future for Londoners – this is already happening, and we can and must sustain that effect for years to come.”
250,000 expected across 24 days to experience Switzerland and celebrate the Games
7th July 2011, London, UK: The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Presence Switzerland has today announced details of its exciting plans for the House of Switzerland, one of the few Houses to be fully open to the public during the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Breaking with tradition, the House will be a mini-village created in and around the famous Glaziers Hall, on the south bank of the Thames, and is expected to attract approximately 250,000 visitors.
Flashes of red will be scattered across the area to steer guests from the UK and around the world towards the House where they will be able to experience the very best of Swiss culture, cuisine and business creativity. A number of other – unexpected – features of Switzerland will be on show, such as the country’s expertise in the development of new and innovative technologies.
All of these aspects will be connected through a games theme. The House of Switzerland 2012 will literally become a creative and innovative playground where visitors actively engage with and become a part of the Swiss guest centre.
The key ideas include a politics-based game where visitors can try their hands at direct democracy Swiss-style, using touch screens. The destination partner Bernese Oberland-Jungfrau will enable people to have a go at traditional or less well-known Swiss sports in an outside game arena. The official caterer Mosimann’s brings a playful element to his creative fusions of Bernese, Swiss and British specialities. And inside Glaziers Hall there are going to be a few surprises with the emphasis on urban creativity, trendy gastronomy and a highly modern videogame lounge.
His Excellency Mr. Anton Thalmann, Swiss Ambassador in London, said:
“The London 2012 Olympic Games is a wonderful opportunity for Switzerland to engage with a wide range of tourists and UK residents around the world’s largest sporting and cultural event. Switzerland and the UK share a strong and long-established relationship, with the House of Switzerland another example of our joint collaboration in exciting and innovative projects.”
Mr. Nicolas Bideau, Head of Presence Switzerland, said:
“We are delighted to outline our vision for welcoming Londoners, Olympic fans and tourists to one of the few Houses fully open to the public. With free admission and a lively atmosphere, we estimate providing 250,000 guests with a flavour of modern Switzerland. We look forward to showcasing a different side of our country in 2012 – visitors should expect the unexpected!”
The House will welcome visitors for 24 days, opening a week before the Games on 20th July and ending in tandem with the London 2012 Closing Ceremony on the 12th August.
Distinctive red walkways and canopies are planned to mark the House of Switzerland village, which includes the Glaziers Hall building and outside courtyards. The village concept allows for an open air stage for Swiss music and cultural performances as well as public viewing throughout the Games.
The House will be the hub for Swiss activities during the Games and will host the Swiss Olympic team, as well as their sponsors and partners. Alongside the range of festivities planned, the House will also host Medal celebrations to bring people together to honour the success of Swiss athletes competing at London 2012.
Destinations
The House will feature dedicated zones offering the opportunity for visitors to learn about a number of Swiss regions. These include the House of Switzerland destination partner Bernese Oberland-Jungfrau, one of the most spectacular mountain settings in Switzerland with a highly popular mountain and ski destination set almost 3500 metres above sea level; and Zurich, the country’s largest city and developing European hotspot for innovation and creative industries.
Today’s launch, Glaziers Hall
The plans for House of Switzerland were presented at Glaziers Hall today by:
Modern Swiss cuisine was provided by Philipp Mosimann, Managing Director of the renowned Mosimann’s club, who also supplied details of his gastronomic concept developed exclusively for the House of Switzerland.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today awarded SBS the exclusive broadcast rights in the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for the XXIII Olympic Winter Games in 2018, the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in 2020, the XXIV Olympic Winter Games in 2022 and the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad to be celebrated in 2024, all of which have yet to be awarded to a host city.
SBS have acquired the broadcast rights across all media platforms, including free-to-air television, subscription television, internet and mobile. The agreement also includes a commitment to broadcast the Youth Olympic Games during the same period.
IOC President Jacques Rogge said, “We are delighted to continue our partnership with SBS through to 2024. SBS have been our broadcast partner in the region for many years and I would like to thank them for their commitment to the Olympic Movement.”
“This is the first broadcast agreement we have reached for the period running to 2024.” said IOC Executive Board member Richard Carrión, who led the negotiations. “This long term agreement is testament to the continuing appeal of the Olympic Games, and we are delighted that SBS will continue to provide fantastic coverage of the Games well into the next decade.”
SBS Chairman Se-Young Yoon expressed his “great pleasure to be the first broadcaster in the world to extend our contractual partnership with the IOC through 2024.” He added that “SBS will gladly continue the support for the Olympic Movement overall and young Olympic athletes in particular.”
A HomeExchange member is hoping to swap her UK home with a home on Martha’s Vineyard-a tiny islandoff the south of Cape Cod in New England, USA in a year’s time when the Olympics comes to London in July 2012. With over 40,000+ home exchange listings in 144 countries and hundreds of those requesting to exchange within the UK and Ireland, Martha’s Vineyard is just one of hundreds of potential escape the Olympics destinations for home owners to choose from.
“It’s a great time to home exchange as there will be so many people from around the world who will be looking to come to England for the Olympics,” says HomeExchange Member Gretta. “My home is in Oxfordshire, fifty miles from London where there is a direct train from my local station to Paddington, in the centre of London, which only takes 45 minutes.”
Home exchange provides an ideal way to escape the Olympics and to watch the Games on TV from the comfort of your exchange home anywhere in the world. What better time to get away and avoid the disruptions the Games will bring to the UK with more traffic, noise, crowds and just the logistics of getting around.
“We got the idea of escaping the Olympics with home exchange when some of our Members started telling us that this is what they were doing,” says Ed Kushins, HomeExchangeNow.co.uk President. “With people realising they can see the Games without accommodation expenses, the opportunities are endless. People can start benefiting straightaway by swapping their home prior to as well as during and after the Games.”
With no hotel bills and the benefit of free accommodation, home exchange has quickly become the best way to experience the world like a local and to stay for free. It means that except for getting there, a holiday nearly anywhere in the world doesn’t have to cost any more than staying at home.
Unlimited exchanges can be taken with no additional charges of any kind for £5.95 a month. HomeExchange even guarantees that if you don’t make an exchange in the first year, the second year is FREE. http://www.HomeExchange.com is the global leader in home exchange with a UK version of the website at http://www.HomeExchangeNow.co.uk
Two major London 2012 test events will be taking place at Greenwich Park next week.The Greenwich Park Eventing International will be taking place on 4-6 July and the Modern Pentathlon UIPM World Cup Final will be taking place on 9-10 July. The events are part of the London Prepares series, the official London 2012 sports testing programme, which allow the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) to test crucial aspects of its operations ahead of the Games.
Some of the world’s top equestrian and modern pentathlon athletes will be competing in the events, including several Olympic champions. There will be 41 athletes from 23 countries taking part in the Equestrian event including New Zealand Olympian Andrew Nicholson and double gold medal-winning Mark Todd along with Great Britain Olympians, William Fox-Pitt and Pippa Funnell.
In the Modern Pentathlon event, 72 athletes from 20 nations will be competing including Lena Schonebone from Germany, Heather Fell from Great Britain and Victoria Tereshuk from Ukraine who have won gold, silver and bronze medals respectively in the women’s event at the Beijing Games. The current men’s world champion Serguei Karyakin from Russia will also be competing.
A temporary equestrian arena has been erected within Greenwich Park to host the Dressage, Jumping and Laser Shooting (for Modern Pentathlon). The arena platform has been designed to minimise impact as it is quick to install, lightweight and reusable. The arena will seat 2,000 spectators, and is on a smaller scale than for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. A cross-country course has also been installed, consisting of 26 jumps in the east side of the Park.
Seb Coe, LOCOG Chair, commented: ‘Greenwich Park is a fantastic venue, and it is very exciting to be hosting world class sport here in the lead up to the Games. This will give us a chance to test our plans and operational readiness. It also gives the residents and school children of Greenwich, plus the equestrian and modern pentathlon communities, a chance to witness world class sport at this historic venue.
‘We have worked hard on the detail of our plans, and we will treat the Park with respect and care. We have held the event outside school holidays to minimise disruption and many parts of the Park remain open, including the whole of the west side. It has been impressive and exciting to see everything take place. Now it is time to put it all into action.’
Second round of 2012 London Olympics Tickets sales have been opened for those ticket onlookers who are were unable to secure tickets in first round. Now, approximately 130, 000 additional people have 2012 London Olympics Tickets for the upcoming event.for more information, you can log on to http://www.londonolympicstickets.com
Since Friday, approximately 1, 50, 000 applications have been processed for 850, 000 tickets. Under 90% have received tickets which is subject to payment. Interestingly, within the first two hours, 60% request applications have been submitted. Moreover, ten sports have been sold out within 15 minutes.
During the second round sale, 24 sports were available. By evening, 18 events have been sold out. Yesterday, boxing and weightlifting tickets have been sold out completely. Other events whose tickets are still on sale are football, volleyball, wrestling-Greco-Roman and Wrestling.for more information, you can log on to http://www.londonolympicstickets.com
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG commented on second sale, “Over a million new tickets will be offered to the British public next year from contingency seats, once venues are tested and licensed, and we aim to get as many of these tickets as possible into the hands of customers who have missed out to date.”
If you are looking for more information and latest updates on 2012 London Olympics, just log on to London Olympics Tickets! Register to our sign up section and you would be provided with latest newsletters and emails related to 2012 London Olympics!
For the second consecutive year, the IOC hosted the Women and Sport Awards ceremony on the occasion of Olympic Day. One world trophy and five continental trophies were presented at the 2011 IOC Women and Sport Awards to remarkable individuals as well as one organisation, all of whom have made an outstanding effort to enhance the participation, development and involvement of women and young girls in the sporting arena.
The official ceremony was held at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, in the presence of IOC President Jacques Rogge; Anita DeFrantz, IOC member and Chairperson of the IOC Women and Sport Commission; the members of the IOC Women and Sport Commission; IOC Executive Board members; and guests invited to take part in the Olympic Day festivities.
The 2011 Women and Sport Award trophies were presented as follows:
- IOC World Trophy: Tegla Loroupe (Kenya)
- IOC Trophy for Africa: Nadouvi Lawson Body (Togo)
- IOC Trophy for the Americas: The Women and Sport Commission of the Ecuadorian Olympic Committee
- IOC Trophy for Asia: Narin Hajtass (Jordan)
- IOC Trophy for Europe: Sema Kasapoglu (Turkey)
- IOC Trophy for Oceania: Daphne Pirie (Australia).
The winners of the 2011 Women and Sport Awards have been recognised for their roles in getting more women involved in sport as athletes, administrators, leaders and as members of the media.Click here to learn more about their profiles and achievements.
National Olympic Committees (NOCs), International Federations (IFs) and Continental Associations were invited to submit candidatures, and the winners were selected of 46 candidatures by the IOC Women and Sport Commission.
President Rogge said: “The IOC Women and Sport Awards represent how far the Olympic Movement has come in the field of gender equality. The participation of women at the Games, for example, has almost doubled in the last 30 years from 23 per cent at the 1984 Los Angeles Games to nearly 43 per cent at the 2008 Beijing Games. We expect this positive trend to continue at London 2012.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Anita DeFrantz said: “Through various projects and programmes, the IOC invests in the empowerment of women off the playing field. We acknowledge that, by working together, women and men, people of different age groups and people from different countries, we can accomplish more, and more quickly, then working alone. We encourage everyone in the sports world and beyond to work as a team when it comes to gender equality.”
The new London 2012 Age pin badge design
Molly, a 100-year-old Hackney resident, was specially presented with the pin badge at the launch event at Hackney Empire Theatre. Molly is a very active local resident who only retired from work a few years ago. She was joined at the event by a band called Strand, one of whose members was involved in the design of the pin badge, who played music to suit all ages and genres.
Paul Deighton, LOCOG’s CEO, said: ‘We want the London 2012 Games to be an exciting and enjoyable experience for everyone – whether young or old. This pin badge demonstrates our commitment to leaving a legacy of greater inclusion and understanding of diversity long after the Games have finished. We want to reach out to all parts of the community and connect them with London 2012.’
LOCOG is committed to making sure London 2012 is ‘everyone’s Games’ and staging an inspirational and memorable Games, in which everyone can take part and feel inspired.
The pin badge is now available to buy from the London 2012 shops and online.
Availability of hotel rooms during London 2012 Olympics is emerging as a key concern for inbound operators and agents, reveals to the latest World Travel Market Meridian Club Think Tank.
Senior hotel buyer members from WTM’s Meridian Club met in central London this week under Chatham House rules, ensured that all guests comments were unattributed.
The Meridian Club buyers concluded the the key issue is getting rooms for clients during the “Olympic Period” for non-Olympic business. Hotels that agreed to work with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) at the time of the bid were required to allocate 65% of their inventory to Olympic visitors.
However, it was pointed out London differed from other host cities “because its hotel market is mature. London hotels already have occupancy rates of around 90% in July and August”.
Buyers working in the inbound and corporate sectors agreed many hotels in London were risking established relationships with long-term partners in order to satisfy short-term Olympic demand. It is hard for inbound operators to secure rooms at a commercial rate in good time for the Olympics.
Most visitors to the UK expect London to be part of a tour. Hotels in other regions could lose out if tour operators drop UK itineraries as a result of the London situation. Brochure-led products, which need to be printed in September, are the most likely to drop the UK.
One inbound operator “had given up on London for the Olympics period” with another “having to make a big decision” on the UK in the next two months. “It is very difficult to sell a UK tour without London,” they added.
Furthermore, high-worth individuals from the Middle East, who are used to staying in the same suite in a five-star London hotel for their family during the summer, are also finding availability issues.
Many Meridian Club buyers also expressed concern with the way that LOCOG releases rooms back onto the market.
World Travel Market Exhibition Director Simon Press said: “This Meridian Club Think Tank has given a fascinating insight into the business behind hosting such a major event as the Olympics.
“The Think Tank has given some of the key hotel buyers the opportunity to come together and discuss their fear surrounding availability in London due to the Olympics while also looking for solutions.”
Paul Deighton, LOCOG Chief Executive, said: “The London Prepares series is essentially about putting our plans into practice. Although our venues won’t be dressed in their Games finery, a number of events will give the public a chance to see some world-class sporting action ahead of next year. These events are our opportunity to try out our new venues, test new technology and equipment and walk our extended teams through their roles and responsibilities. We have learnt a lot from previous Games, which we will put to good use as we challenge ourselves over the next 12 months.”
The events will be held in the existing iconic venues in London, as well as in the new venues of the Olympic Park. LOCOG’s programme will focus on testing the sporting field of play; results, timing and scoring systems; how teams work together; and how people move around venues. There are different groupings of events: events which LOCOG is organising and ticketing, events run by LOCOG that are not ticketed, and events which are not organised by LOCOG. Tickets are available from 26 May and can be purchased using a VISA card only (debit, credit and prepaid product).
The types of things that will be tested during the programme include a new platform for the equestrian events at Greenwich Park; new marking lanes at the rowing lake at Eton Dorney, Buckinghamshire; delivery of 3,000 tons of sand for beach volleyball at Horse Guards Parade; the first competitive use of the water at the Lee Valley White Water Centre, Hertfordshire, for canoe slalom; and new presentation graphics at the basketball arena.
London was elected as the host city for the Games of the XXX Olympiad on 6 July 2005 at the 117th IOC Session in Singapore. London eventually succeeded in the fourth round of voting taking 54 votes from a possible 104. London faced stiff opposition during the vote from the other four Candidate Cities: Paris, New York, Moscow and Madrid. There will be 26 sports on the Olympic Programme in London in 2012 and around 10,500 athletes.
Get the latest updates via email.
