^^

That's referring to this tower:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1211899

I should have had the Marathon start at the Mall and end in the stadium, I don't see an Olympic Marathon not ending at a stadium. That proposal must be dropped.

I think it should finish at the Mall opposite Buckingham Palace as a nod to the contribution of the Royal Family in defining the exact distance of the marathon.

Marathons were tyypically 25 miles, but at London in 1908 it was 26 miles and 300 and something yards so it could go from Windsor Castle to the Royal Box in the stadium.

By doing loops you will get much bigger crowds and the atmosphere on the finishing straight would be so much better than a half empty stadium. Marathons don't have to finish in stadiums, remember Athens...?

Report and time lapse video of the newly-opened Angel Lane bridge.

http://www.khl.com/magazines/construction-europe/detail/item58165/New-London-2012-bridge-opens/

Engineering a lasting legacy for London's Olympics

-- Link to The Engineer article (http://www.theengineer.co.uk/in-depth/the-big-story/engineering-a-lasting-legacy-for-londons-olympics/1004938.article) --

http://www.theengineer.co.uk/Pictures/web/p/w/k/22_MAIN_STADIUM_2.jpg

The once magnificent Olympic Park in Athens has become a ghost town. Even the most enthusiastic tourists struggle to find remnants of former sporting glory among abandoned Olympic buildings that are now covered in litter and graffiti.

Once described as the ’dream games’ by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the empty stadia for the 2004 games have become national symbols of excessive spending and lavish design. As Greece grapples with more than $300bn (£230bn) of public debt, London is hoping to learn from past mistakes by staging what it hopes to be the world’s first ’sustainable games’.

For many, spending £9.4bn for two weeks of sport is irresponsible and extravagant, especially at a time when the country is trying to claw its way out of recession. But the Olympic Development Authority (ODA) claims that, this time, taxpayers’ money will be put to good use to provide long-term benefits for the country, with engineers and architects set to play a crucial part in its success.

It plans on using temporary and reusable structures, where possible, to regenerate a particularly rundown area of East London and change attitudes towards sustainability throughout the country. ’Games mode’ and ’legacy mode’ have become common phrases in the language of the ODA. It is obvious that they have gone to great lengths to think about sustainability, judging by the impressive amount of literature on the topic. But how far do the current designs really reflect the ODA’s ambitions to provide a lasting legacy for London?

In a recent report from the Commission for Sustainable London 2012, chair Shaun McCarthy said that he was ’concerned that the ambition to use the games to inspire more sustainable behaviour will not be fully realised’. He claimed sweeping statements that the Olympic Park is set to become a ’blueprint for sustainable living’ have not yet been backed up by comprehensive plans. The ODA, however, maintains that, following the games, the infrastructure will become a central part of the East London community and serve as an inspiration to other host cities.

http://www.theengineer.co.uk/Pictures/web/p/g/e/22_OLYMPIC_PARK.jpg

The scale of the challenge facing the ODA is huge. ’There are widely contrasting demands for designing something for games and designing something for legacy,’ said Bill Grose, project director at Arup, who is responsible for development of the aquatics centre. ’We really owe it to world-class athletes to have the best possible chance of winning gold and the infrastructure for that has got to work for a specific point in time. For the people of Stratford, however, it has to work in the long term. Societal and environmental improvements are desperately needed in the area, which is the size of the City of London.’

The Olympic stadium is an example of the difficulties that can arise when engineering for these very different objectives. The stadium, which has been designed to be reduced in size, will have 25,000 permanent seats in its lower tier and a further 55,000 temporary seats in the upper tier. A 20m-high ’wrap’ will encircle the Stadium’s upper tier, which can be dismantled after the games. The internal stadium bowl will be sunk into the ground for the field of play. According to the ODA, it will be the lightest Olympic stadium ever built, containing around 10,000 tonnes of steel, and will be reusable at its lower capacity following the games. But there are concerns that the ’legacy mode’ of the stadium has not been well thought out.

http://www.theengineer.co.uk/Pictures/web/a/r/x/22_MAIN_STADIUM.jpg

Last month, the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) opened the final round of bidding for parties who hope to take over the stadium. The subsequent entries have drawn criticism that large parts of the stadium will not have any use after the Olympics. Among the submissions was one from West Ham United, who would like to convert the stadium’s primary use to football. If its bid is successful, it could mean that the athletics track will remain unused for 10 months of the year - a decision that is at odds with London’s commitment to athletics. In addition, some critics suggest that the design of the stadium limits its application to outdoor events, as it would be impossible to shrink the roof down to cover the permanent seating.

The ODA declined to comment on the cost of doing this and said that the stadium’s legacy is yet to be determined. But creating a sustainable games rests on much more than just securing a future for the main stadium and the Olympic team has drawn up ambitious plans for the surrounding structures in the Olympic Park. One building that has been well received is the basketball arena, which will be one of the largest temporary venues built for any games. Paul May, head of venue development at the London Organising Committee (LOCOG), believes that the use of temporary structures such as this will give a significant boost to the economy. ’We estimate that 75,000 business opportunities across all levels will become available as we look to spend around £1.2bn across the UK through our supply chain,’ he said.

http://www.theengineer.co.uk/Pictures/web/h/v/c/22_BASKETBALL_ARENA1.jpg

Owned by Barr Construction, the 12,000-seat basketball arena will be wrapped in 20,000m2 of recyclable white PVC membrane that has been stretched over three different types of arched panel. It will be purpose built, with all doors at least 2.4m high to accommodate the size of the athletes. During the games, the exterior will act as a canvas for an artistic and lighting design. ’Materials for the main structure have been chosen to be taken apart easily,’ explained project sponsor Richard Arnold. ’These include steel for the structure and PVC for the cladding. We have also used scaffolding for the seating structure and are using highly recycled gypsum boards to form the toilets beneath the seating.’

Meanwhile, smaller temporary structures are being built throughout the Olympic Park, including a 250m-long bridge that will be used as one of the main points of pedestrian access into the games. The canals and waterways of the River Lea are being cleaned and widened, and it is hoped that part of the natural floodplains of the area will be restored to provide a new wetland habitat. After the games, the Olympic Village that had been home to the athletes will be converted into homes for key workers. The plan is for the new homes to be surrounded by 10 hectares of new parklands, open space and recreation areas. Grose believes that these initiatives will lay to rest concerns that designing for both the games and its legacy is not possible.

Raise the roof

The London stadium’s canopy took four weeks alone to lift into position

One of the most challenging aspects in building the Olympic stadium was the construction of the cable-net-supported roof. Made up of 2,500 tonnes of steel tubing, the roof is composed of materials recycled from old gas pipelines and stretches 28m the whole way around the stadium, providing cover for two thirds of spectators. It is formed between the outer white steel roof truss and an inner tension ring more than 30m above the field of play. More than 900 tonnes of scaffolding and more than 1km of support platforms were used to assemble more than 12,000m of cables and walkways. It took four weeks and 46 hydraulic jacks to lift it into position.

’The story so far is one of success in planning and designing this new community in which these games are going to be held,’ he said. ’It’s going to be fabulous and we know that records are going to be broken. I predict that not only are we going to end up with a large number of medals, but when the games have gone the park is designed to regenerate the social and built infrastructure of Stratford.’ East London is one of the poorest areas in the country and has 13 out of the 15 most deprived wards in London. There are high hopes for the area and it could be argued that, without the games, regeneration may have been cheaper, but it may also never have taken place.

After 2012 the ODA is expected to spend around nine months reconfiguring the Olympic park and removing temporary structures before the OPLC takes over. It remains to be seen whether London will zbecome another Athens, or if it will live up to the country’s hopes for regenerating the landscape. The ODA’s intentions are well-placed, but combining Olympic glamour and sustainability may prove to be far more difficult than first anticipated.

gnfaKazUONk

Back story - sporting spirit

Despite a minimal budget and a severe lack of food, the 1948 games inspired a sense of community

This isn’t the first time that London has hosted the games in an age of financial turmoil. The 1948 ’Austerity Olympics’ were the first games to take place following the Second World War. The country had no money for new stadiums, housing for athletes or labour for building work. Despite this, the games went ahead and a make-do-and-mend attitude prevailed.

The main athletics circuit at Wembley stadium was a hastily converted dog track with 800 tons of cinders from the hearths of Leicester laid down to form the track. The Empire Pool next door was an ice rink converted into a swimming hall and then, within a few days, into a boxing arena. Athletes were housed in hostels, schools, army barracks and with families who volunteered to provide shelter. One of the biggest logistical problems was food. The British team was training on basic rations of 2,600 calories a day, which increased to 3,300 after selection. Despite barely having enough for themselves, the food shortage inspired a spirit of co-operation among athletes who shared their resources with fellow competitors.

The games were widely considered to be momentous and the government had correctly calculated that they would bring financial benefit to the country. The event cost £732,268 (£20m in today’s money) and made a profit of £29,420, on which £9,000 of tax was paid - a figure that today’s Olympic budgets would do well to learn from.

The roof took 4 weeks to lift? Does it not take a day or 3?

Wow, they really are delaying everything. A tension ring doesn't need 4 weeks to be lifted at all.

I signed up to volunteer today, anyone else done so so far?

Done fingers crossed

Incidentally, if you haven't already spotted this today there was a big 'leak' in the papers about which quangos the Government is about to scrap with their spending review next month.

One of those listed as being scrapped is the Olympic Park Legacy Company. It's work will be devolved to each local authority covering the Olympic park site - presumbely though they'll only be responsible for their 'bit' of the park and not for the bits outside their local authority area.

Oh well. Another British success story flushed by Tory government.

London 2012 construction chief quits(AFP) LONDON —

The Australian mastermind of the massive building project for the 2012 London Olympics is to quit his job next year before construction is completed, it was announced on Tuesday.

David Higgins will leave his post as chief executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority in February to run Network Rail, the owner and operator of Britain's railways infrastructure.

The authority's finance director Dennis Hone will replace Higgins.

Higgins was recruited to the ODA job in 2005 after overseeing the construction of some of the venues for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

He said it had been a "privilege" to lead the authority over the past five years and said he was confident London 2012 would put on "a brilliant show".

"There was a lot of scepticism when we won the bid as to whether the UK construction industry was up to the challenge," Higgins said.

"Their performance on the Olympic Park is demonstrating that they are world leaders.

"There is still hard work ahead but I am confident we will have created a fantastic stage for the Games in 2012."

London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe paid tribute to Higgins.

He said: "David's wealth of experience and his leadership puts us in an excellent position to ensure the athletes of the world have the best possible environment to compete in 2012."

Higgins has promised that the transformation of a rundown area of east London into the Olympic Park will not exceed the projected final cost of 7.3 billion pounds, well within the overall budget of 8.1 billion pounds.

I suppose this is one of those 'bad news/good news' stories really.

By the time he leaves, the biggest part of the Big Build part of the Olympics Project will be finished and the park and venues will start being handed over to Locog for fitting out and testing.

If he can do what he did with the ODA at Network Rail though, then we might just have a chance of still getting a fairly transformational programme for our railway network there with some big goals and deliverables despite the Government cut backs. Maybe HS2 isn't dead afterall...

NBC network to televise 200 hours plus from London 2012

The NBC network will broadcast more than 200 hours from the London 2012 Olympics, almost a 25 per cent increase on what they showed from Beijing 2008, they have revealed.

Dick Ebersol, the chairman of NBC Universal Sports, made the announcement during the United States Olympic Committee's Assembly in Colorado Springs.

NBC's cable partners also will expand their coverage by 100 hours and average 50 hours a day.NBC's network and cable partners broadcast a total of 3,600 hours during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and 835 during the Winter Games in Vancouver earlier this year.

When NBC televised the Olympics for the first time - in Tokyo in 1964 - they showed a total of just 15 hours.

London will be the seventh consecutive Olympics that NBC has shown but is the last Games that they won as part of the record $2.2 billion (£1.3 billion) deal they signed with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2003.

An NBC delegation earlier this month visited London for the first of what are set to be several operational meetings. They plan to base up to 1,000 people in London during the Olympics, including camera crews, reporters, makeup artists, chefs, doctors and runners.

The IOC has yet to begin negotiating for the United States television rights for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
A fragile economic climate in the United States had prompted the IOC to delay the start of negotiations.

But Jacques Rogge, the President of the IOC, said last night that he expects negotiations to open before the end of this year."We will most likely start negotiations either at the end of this year or in the beginning of next year," Rogge told Associated Press.

"The economy is improving, and the economy is definitely the major factor for which we waited."Broadcasters in the United States are funded exclusively by advertising. "We now see signals and we hear from our partners in the advertising world that advertising is coming up.

"So we are waiting for that to negotiate."NBC will bid to keep the rights but face opposition from ABC-ESPN, CBS, Fox Sport and Turner, who Rogge expects to all bid."It's not going to be an easy discussion but there is good will on both sides to find a good solution," Rogge told Associated Press.

"We want to find a win-win solution in the long term." Ebersol claimed that he is happy with the IOC decision to delay negotiations."You have no choice," he said.

"You go by what they say and when they want to do it.

"I have been so lucky for such a long period of time that I'm going to just keep rubbing my rabbit's foot."

http://insidethegames.biz/summer-olympics/london-2012-news/10594-nbc-to-televise-over-200-hours-from-london-2012-

and LOCOG don't want television pictures of athletes running through a grotty part of town.

No, they are going back on their promises, it was all supposed to be about East London, wasnt it? Bring regeneration and reinvent the East.....

East London is hardly an embarrassment, it is one of the liveliest and exciting areas of London, sure parts of it need cleaning up and reinventing, but Olympics was supposed to do exactly that, but yeah its better to ignore, to lie and let it rot.

The Marathon could start at Tower Hill go down East Smithfield past St Katharine Docks and onto Wapping High Street/Wapping Wall, King Edward Memorial Park, The Highway, Butcher Row, White Horse Lane, Belgrave Street, Stepney Green, Globe Road, Roman Road, Victoria Park and end in The Olympic Stadium. Or it could go north through the eastern parts of the City, then Shoreditch, Spitalfields, Bethnal Green then again onto Roman Road and Victoria Park. There would be plenty of aerial shots of city, CW and the Olympic Park.

No doubt, after The Olympics, the atheletes' apartments will be turned into luxury flats, the stadium will be sold to the highest bidder, the whole park turned into CCTV 'this is private property, sir' kind of place and the rest of the East London will be left to rot.

The Olympic route shift isn't removing the work that is happening in east London; the high street 2012 cleanup is still happening, the buildings are being cleaned and smartened up and Stratford high street is being repaved and tarted up. The change of the marathon route is not doing anything to undermine this, it's impact is more symbolic than tangible.

Given the worldwide audience watching, streets which may be important for us for reasons way beyond their physical character (bear in mind that not everyone outside of London or the UK knows that places like shoreditch is a hip and trendy and that whitechapel is a huge Asian centre in London) it may appear that these places are just shabby and uninteresting, whereas areas in central London are more recognisable and have a higher aesthetic merit than areas in the east leading to the stadium. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of the east and I live there, but purely aesthetically, it's is quite hit or miss (more miss than hit) and central London is much more striking. At the end of the day, the legacy of the games is not being able to shut down your road to let a marathon through for one day, it's the impact that this whole event, it's infrastructures, it's economic draw and amenities will provide for the area that will (hopefully) provide a lasting benefit to the local community and the city as a whole.

Shoreditch, Spitalfields and Whitechapel are well known in Europe and Id imagine the rest of the Western World. Besides all Olympic cities have so far focused on their landmarks, infact this has become something of a cliche. I thought London was supposed to be different!

Money talks. Broadcasters want the hits.

This discussion is getting a little silly.

The route isn't that different to what was originally proposed (the original route was a repeated loop mostly around central London with only the final leg in the East End before it entered the stadium).

I don't believe for a second that LOCOG would be so ashamed of having a mere quarter of their marathon in the East End that they'd go out of their way to instead choose a route with really no more landmarks than the original, and on top of that sacrifice their stadium finish! The logistical explanation therefore is the only one that makes any sense.

I can understand why Tower Hamlets are unhappy about this, but I don't think it should be taken as a personal slight against them or the borough. I think the route is worse than the original one, mainly because we lose the stadium finish, so I think the reasoning behind this change has to be stronger than that which some are offering here.

This discussion is getting a little silly.

The route isn't that different to what was originally proposed (the original route was a repeated loop mostly around central London with only the final leg in the East End before it entered the stadium).

I don't believe for a second that LOCOG would be so ashamed of having a mere quarter of their marathon in the East End that they'd go out of their way to instead choose a route with really no more landmarks than the original, and on top of that sacrifice their stadium finish! The logistical explanation therefore is the only one that makes any sense.

I can understand why Tower Hamlets are unhappy about this, but I don't think it should be taken as a personal slight against them or the borough. I think the route is worse than the original one, mainly because we lose the stadium finish, so I think the reasoning behind this change has to be stronger than that which some are offering here.

I am inclined to agree that the transport argument was key - that closing arterial routes into/out of the East End was a headache having regard to the logistical support needed for the Olympic site - but that the aesthetics of the final part of the route were also considered.

It may have only been a final spur to a looped circuit in London but the fact is, it would coincide with the most exciting part of the race when viewing figures peak and cameras converge. Despite the (underfunded and fledgling) High Street 2012 project, you only have to look at the BBC footage in this link (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11471541) to see that Whitechapel High Street is a bit of a hot mess. I expect it was a contributory factor. £10m is not going to be enough to spruce up that stretch of road. It would be a stark contrast to the hour of London landmarks the viewers would've been treated to in the first 3/4 of the race.

I have lived in Bow and Leytonstone and have family in Walthamstow and know the wider East End very well. I would love for it to showcase the best of the area and there are aesthetic pockets that would make local (that is, other Londoners who get nose-bleeds when they head East of Tower Hill), national and international viewers rethink their ideas about East End life. But sadly the combination of a logistical headache and a sluggish set of Councils (who, given the time since the winning bid, might have addressed the aesthetic long before now), the only solution is the one we're left with.

It's a definite shame for East London but it's somewhat inevitable.

What hasn't really been explained (to me at least) is why the walk, the cycling road races or elements of the triathlon couldn't have been offered to the East End by way of compensation...

Funny that people are so quick to accept this re-routing and the fact that the East is simply being ignored and forgotten. This is, of course, after all the hype and promises that the Olympics are going to be about the East End and will regenerate and completely reinvent it. Yeah, right.....

Funny that people are so quick to accept this re-routing and the fact that the East is simply being ignored and forgotten. This is, of course, after all the hype and promises that the Olympics are going to be about the East End and will regenerate and completely reinvent it. Yeah, right.....

Don't get me wrong, I am very disappointed for the East but my sense that it was inevitable is out of my own cynicism (not a trait I am proud of) that it could ever have been any different and my feeling that the relevant boroughs' leadership have been woefully remiss in helping their cause.

Hands up (along with many living in the area), we could certainly have kicked up more of a fuss.

Funny that people are so quick to accept this re-routing and the fact that the East is simply being ignored and forgotten. This is, of course, after all the hype and promises that the Olympics are going to be about the East End and will regenerate and completely reinvent it. Yeah, right.....

Yeah, but apart from the new parkland, cleaned up rivers, improved transport, new venues, new housing what have the Olympics ever done for us?

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__y8S8Ej1N-4/SolxHHCgjCI/AAAAAAAABD4/W0qtWVAA2y4/s400/reg.jpg

Youre hilarious. Stratford is just a small part of London and as for the venues and housing.....well most of the venues will be demolished, those that remain will be sold on to football clubs (ie the stadium) and the like, while the housing with the parkland turned into yet another luxury apartment complex littered with CCTVs and overzealous security people. Indeed apart from shopping centre and the Olympic park, not much has changed in East London, most of it was rather grotty before and remains rather grotty still. Will Olympics reinvent, regenerate and turn fortunes of areas such as Hackney, Newham, Whitechapel, Bethnal Green etc around? Unlikely. Yet the Olympics were supposed to do just that. Or maybe you think just because people of Canning Town get ExCeL extension and residents of Hackney get warehouse conversions and a few galleries their lives will change for the better somehow? Sounds to me like youre inhabiting some imaginary World.....

It's a disapointing route. There are so many other locations I'd like to see on the route, e.g. Picadilly Circus or Leicester Square or even just some representation of the West End. How about a bridge? I mean how can they avoid all bridges which of course means South London too. Docklands should definitely be on there. But it doesn't go North South East or West either. Everyone knows what the Tower of London and Big Ben look like, this was a chance for the tourist industry to reap some dividends. Kind of cool it goes through Leadenhall Market, but what a pity overall.

And don't put any money on a world record being broken as it's riddled with sharp corners, switchbacks and changes in surface.

It's been designed to have a minimal impact on traffic around inner London by the looks of things. I don't think it's a tv thing. Why not shut the whole centre to traffic for the morning? It's not like we haven't got time to arrange working-from-home. We all adjust our lives for a tube strike, why not the Olympics? Shame on Boris for focusing on the wrong thing, traffic.

http://www.london2012.com/documents/venue-documents/london-2012-olympic-and-paralympic-marathon-proposed-route.pdf

Youre hilarious. Stratford is just a small part of London and as for the venues and housing.....well most of the venues will be demolished, those that remain will be sold on to football clubs (ie the stadium) and the like, while the housing with the parkland turned into yet another luxury apartment complex littered with CCTVs and overzealous security people. Indeed apart from shopping centre and the Olympic park, not much has changed in East London, most of it was rather grotty before and remains rather grotty still. Will Olympics reinvent, regenerate and turn fortunes of areas such as Hackney, Newham, Whitechapel, Bethnal Green etc around? Unlikely. Yet the Olympics were supposed to do just that. Or maybe you think just because people of Canning Town get ExCeL extension and residents of Hackney get warehouse conversions and a few galleries their lives will change for the better somehow? Sounds to me like youre inhabiting some imaginary World.....

"Ignored and forgotten" you said.

It mightn't be the whole of the East End but that's not how I'd describe well over £7bn worth of investment, call me pedantic if you like. What the ODA is delievering is mostly what was promised.

http://i52.tinypic.com/2s659g3.jpg

Got given these to wear at work today, very cool indeed.

Only one venue is being demolished in the Park after the Games. Maybe the media centre too.

Not really sure how not having a few TV pictures of runners down Whitechapel High Street prevents large scale regeneration over two generations.

How the Olympic Park will look in 2030.

London's Olympic Park legacy plans has been dramatically redrawn to encourage middle-class families to move into the area.

Thousands of homes with gardens will be built instead of "soulless" high-rise flats.

New neighbourhoods with shared family squares will be created in the Regency and Georgian style of London's smartest streets.

Apartments with canalside views will also be marketed as an affordable alternative to Islington or Camden.

The idea, mooted by Olympic legacy chief Baroness Ford, is designed to solve the city's looming housing crisis and ensure the Games delivers lasting improvements to London.

She wants to build fewer but grander homes as part of a general scaling-down of the area's housing plan.

Lady Ford criticised the 2008 Park masterplan for having too many "soulless" high-rise apartments.

She argued that with 7,000 flats already in the pipeline, including the 2,800-unit athletes' village, there was a need instead for family homes with gardens.

She said: "London is crying out for decent-quality family housing both to rent and to buy and, given the assets here, this is destined to be a park for London families. I think this masterplan has a much sharper focus and reflects the best of London."

The work is scheduled to begin in 2014 although the transformation will not be completed for two decades. Lady Ford, a regeneration expert who took the Millennium Dome off the taxpayers' hands, has divided the 300-acre site, previously an industrial area in the Lower Lea Valley, into four districts: two commercial zones, a sports and cultural "plaza" and the natural parklands in the north.

She added: "The Empire exhibition and the Festival of Britain have left great new quarters of London, whether it's the South Bank or South Kensington. We want to do the same in the South Plaza with a great recreational space for Londoners."

The two commercial "bookends" of the Park will be around the Olympic media centre in Hackney Wick, with hopes for 5,000 new jobs in the "creative industries", and in the east the £1.4billion Westfield shopping centre. Lady Ford's Olympic Park Legacy Company - which next year will come under the full control of City Hall - hopes to secure planning permission from the Olympic Delivery Authority and sign up the first private sector developer before the Games are held in 2012.

Proceeds from selling the site to property developers are expected to reach £2billion and will pay back the Lottery's Olympic contribution and the Treasury.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23885625-how-the-olympic-park-will-look-in-2030.do

Chaotic Delhi games chief: I could help run London 2012

The man in charge of organising the Commonwealth Games in Delhi has brushed aside criticism and offered his services to London 2012 chiefs.
Suresh Kalmadi said those running other competitions would be "banking on my team for their Games".
After delays, shoddy construction, dirty venues and the presence of venomous snakes, he stated: "There is a perception that a third-world country could not hold the event and we have proved them wrong."
Mr Kalmadi was booed at the opening ceremony and then lampooned after he claimed that the late Princess Diana had attended the event. In fact the Games were opened by Prince Charles, accompanied by his wife Camilla.
Mr Kalmadi told the Times of India: "It took just an opening ceremony to wipe out the cynicism and this indicates that some of the criticism was superficial and driven by a private agenda."
His comments come as the safety of British athletes in the games village was questioned after reports a Welsh competitor was harassed.
She lodged an official complaint with Delhi police after a man repeatedly took pictures of her on his mobile phone and followed her to her apartment.
As she locked herself inside, the man, who had official accreditation to access the athletes' village, banged on the door begging her to pose for him. "The man had already clicked three to four pictures of the Welsh athlete with his mobile phone," a senior police officer told the Hindustan Times.
"She got uneasy when he insisted she pose in a particular way. He only left after the athlete approached her security attaché, who accompanied her to the Commonwealth Games Village police station."
Police are refusing to release more details about Tuesday night's incident.
It is not known which sport the woman competes in, although it is understood she was waiting for a bus to take her to training when the man approached her.
No arrests have been made and officers plan to review CCTV footage from the area before interviewing housekeeping and security personnel.
"We are taking all necessary steps needed and the investigation is in process," said Rajan Bhagat, a Delhi police spokesman.
This is not the first harassment allegation to come out of the village. Women have complained of being stared at in the dining and swimming areas of the games village by staff, including security personnel.
Athletes and delegates have also complained about theft of goods from their rooms, including the loss of a Zambian squash player's passport from his flat.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23886102-chaotic-delhi-games-chief-i-could-help-run-london-2012.do

Headline doesn't really match the article. But even so, I can't see many job offers from Olympic host cities offered to him.

Stratford Station Olympic Kiosk Competition proposal / LGT Office


07
Oct 2010

By Sebastian J (http://www.archdaily.com/author/sjordana/) — Filed under: Pavilion (http://www.archdaily.com/category/pavilion/) , England (http://www.archdaily.com/tag/england/), LGT Office (http://www.archdaily.com/tag/lgt-office/), London (http://www.archdaily.com/tag/london/)

http://www.archdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1286407716-stairs-528x306.jpg (http://www.archdaily.com/80988/stratford-station-olympic-kiosk-competition-proposal-lgt-office/stairs/)Courtesy of LGT Office (http://www.archdaily.com/tag/lgt-office/)

Architects Christo Logan, Chris Gee, and Gayle Tsern (LGT Office (http://www.lgtoffice.com/)), shared with us their proposal for the Stratford Station Olympic Kiosk Competition, in London (http://www.archdaily.com/tag/london/), England (http://www.archdaily.com/tag/england/). More images and architect’s description after the break.
http://www.archdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1286407724-train-528x264.jpg (http://www.archdaily.com/80988/stratford-station-olympic-kiosk-competition-proposal-lgt-office/train/)Courtesy of LGT Office (http://www.archdaily.com/tag/lgt-office/)

PAVILION AS ORIENTATION FILTER
Emerging from the bus, train or mall at Meridian Square, the visitor is disoriented in both space and time. While defining an edge of the Square, the Pavilion acts as a central filter that sets one’s pace of movement. Foot traffic across the Square filters through the structure, and gathered information gives one a sense of orientation.
Three paces of movement provide different levels of orientation and information. At the fast ‘reflecting’ pace, the Pavilion disseminates large scale information to masses of people. At the moderate ‘filter’ pace, one cuts through the Pavilion in both sight and movement. At the slow ‘absorb’ pace, one fully engages the Pavilion, waiting, interacting, buying, and ascending to the roof.
The structural steel rib sections create program-specific spaces along its length. Towards the center, the sections become wider and the spaces larger as they are at a greater angle to the overall bar plan.
http://www.archdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1286407686-cafe-500x500.jpg (http://www.archdaily.com/80988/stratford-station-olympic-kiosk-competition-proposal-lgt-office/cafe/)Courtesy of LGT Office (http://www.archdaily.com/tag/lgt-office/)

FAST PACE : Pavilion Re¬flects Movement
Movement and sense of destination are re¬flected off the surface of the Pace Pavilion. The north-facing LED ‘Solari’ Departures board posts arrivals/departures, set in a PVB laminated insulated glass facade.
Large-scale information disseminates immediate orientation. Movement is minimally impeded, as if reflected off the surface of the pavilion and on to one’s destination.
http://www.archdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1286407673-bus-528x296.jpg (http://www.archdaily.com/80988/stratford-station-olympic-kiosk-competition-proposal-lgt-office/bus-3/)Courtesy of LGT Office (http://www.archdaily.com/tag/lgt-office/)

MODERATE PACE : Pavilion Filters Movement
Both the program and structure are oriented around two focal points at entrances to the bus and train stations. These grids filter the view through the Pavilion, visually connecting commuters between the two stations. A pass-through between the radial grids allows direct movement between the two terminals. During the Olympics, it serves as outdoor exhibit open to the public day and night.
Facing the Great Eastern Road crossing, the freestanding information kiosk marks the eastern edge of the Pavilion but allows movement through Meridian Square.
http://www.archdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1286407691-plan-528x304.jpg (http://www.archdaily.com/80988/stratford-station-olympic-kiosk-competition-proposal-lgt-office/plan-44/)Courtesy of LGT Office (http://www.archdaily.com/tag/lgt-office/)

SLOW PACE : Pavilion Absorbs Movement
Stepping up into the Pavilion, the visitor is relieved from plaza currents. The awaiting passenger, suspended in time between connections, rests in the cafe, the exhibit space, or on the roof.
Movement becomes lateral and raised above the Plaza level upon entering the Pavilion to create intimate spaces for exhibits (Olympic phase) and vendors (post-Olympic).
#gallery-1 { margin: auto; }#gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; }#gallery-1 img { border: 2px solid rgb(207, 207, 207); }#gallery-1 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0pt; } http://www.archdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1286407716-stairs-125x125.jpg (http://www.archdaily.com/80988/stratford-station-olympic-kiosk-competition-proposal-lgt-office/stairs/) Courtesy of LGT Office (http://www.archdaily.com/tag/lgt-office/) http://www.archdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1286407724-train-125x125.jpg (http://www.archdaily.com/80988/stratford-station-olympic-kiosk-competition-proposal-lgt-office/train/) Courtesy of LGT Office (http://www.archdaily.com/tag/lgt-office/) http://www.archdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1286407707-site-125x125.jpg (http://www.archdaily.com/80988/stratford-station-olympic-kiosk-competition-proposal-lgt-office/site-8/) Courtesy of LGT Office (http://www.archdaily.com/tag/lgt-office/)
http://www.archdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1286407695-sections-125x125.jpg (http://www.archdaily.com/80988/stratford-station-olympic-kiosk-competition-proposal-lgt-office/sections-85/) Courtesy of LGT Office (http://www.archdaily.com/tag/lgt-office/) http://www.archdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1286407691-plan-125x125.jpg (http://www.archdaily.com/80988/stratford-station-olympic-kiosk-competition-proposal-lgt-office/plan-44/) Courtesy of LGT Office (http://www.archdaily.com/tag/lgt-office/) http://www.archdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1286407686-cafe-125x125.jpg (http://www.archdaily.com/80988/stratford-station-olympic-kiosk-competition-proposal-lgt-office/cafe/) Courtesy of LGT Office (http://www.archdaily.com/tag/lgt-office/)
http://www.archdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1286407673-bus-125x125.jpg (http://www.archdaily.com/80988/stratford-station-olympic-kiosk-competition-proposal-lgt-office/bus-3/) Courtesy of LGT Office (http://www.archdaily.com/tag/lgt-office/)

Some cool panoramic images at the end of this application. The jpg files.

http://planning.london2012.com/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=L401MESZ00M00

http://planning.london2012.com/upload/publicaccessODAlive/view_06b%20%2831955%29.jpg

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/49476000/jpg/_49476320_coins_composite_pa.jpg

Im a coin collector and first heard about these about a year ago, I'm so excited to finally see them!

Ticket prices have been announced!

Cheapest is £20 - which isn't far off the £15 they promised in the bid book - you could just call it inflation :)

The cheapest tickets for Finals is roughly around £50 although it depends on where the final is taking place - a lot of the sports at Excel will have cheap £20 tickets for a Final event although Volleyball at Earls Court is strangely expensive at £65 for the cheapest seats.

There's also extra special cheap tickets for the opening and closing ceremony - they're £20.12. 'Normal' prices for those events are £150 for the next cheapest and the most expensive is £2012 (see what they did there with those cheapest and most expensive prices?)

Full details here http://media.ticketmaster.com/og/en-gb/img/sys/tournament/london2012/olyticketprice.pdf

And the Paralympic ticket prices wont be announced until next year.

Have they separated events in which Brittan may excel? Like Golden Tickets for British athlete events .

Student tickets? Sports club tickets? Youth tickets?

Olympic Park pass?

It depends on how many tickets are in each band. For instance, the finals at the swimming, athletics, cycling and gymanstics (probably the higher profile) have cheapest band at £50 and the next cheapest at £95.

That is a huge differential and I'd be pretty annoyed if I was sat infront of someone but had paid twice as much for the same view.

If the £50 make up around a third to half the total number of tickets then fine, if it's only a few seats then £95 for any swimming/athletics finals is a lot of money.

Tennis is quite good value (compared to Wimbledon), as is the football.

Pre-lims and up to Q/F in most team events appear reasonable.

Eventing is incredibably expensive (compared to Badminton) as is BMX finals (it will be ~ 10 minutes of action)

Modern Pentathlon is a bargain.

Personally think they have over-priced the prelims for many of the lesser known individual sports, judo/wresting etc.

In the Evening Standard which has gone with the traditional 'UK Olympics tickets to be the most expensive!' take on the story and not even mentioned the very cheap £20.12 tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies, they say that the price bands will be evenly distributed - so if there's 3 different bands, then each band will have a 1/3 of the tickets etc.

90% of the total tickets are less than £100 and 1/3 of all the tickets are £20 - but most of those will be for the less popular event.

Also, a bit more info from the Beeb and a nice little thing for the kids.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11546228

There is also a scheme for those aged 16 and under, where the cost of a ticket will be the same as a child's age.

About 200 non-premium sporting sessions will be available in this initiative, which also includes the over 60s who will pay just £16.

The government and the mayor of London are each being given 50,000 tickets and the British Olympic Association has been handed 25,000.

These 125,000 are to be given free to secondary schools who have signed up to the Get Set programme, where pupils have to achieve a goal or do something to earn a ticket.

The government wants each school in Britain to get six free tickets, but London Mayor Boris Johnson wants to buy a further 75,000 to get one in eight schoolchildren in London a free ticket to the Games.

London Olympic Business: British companies could miss Olympic benefits

-- Link to Daily Telegraph article (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/london-olympics-business/8064712/London-Olympic-Business-British-companies-could-miss-Olympic-benefits.html) --

A new Deloitte report found that over two thirds of companies in the UK expect no impact on their operations from the Olympics. Only half expect to see any increase in demand for their services during the Games. According to the survey, more than half of businesses in tourism, hospital and leisure expect "virtually no impact" from London holding the Games, despite 10m tickets being on sale for the Olympics and Paralympics. Meanwhile, more than 70pc of retailers expect no impact.

Rick Cudworth, head of business continuity and resilience at Deloitte, said: "Many of these businesses need a wake-up call. They operate in service industries where people are vital, where the supply chain is time critical, where having products on the shelf or food to serve in restaurants is essential to their daily business. Thinking through the impacts that an Olympic-scale event could have on logistics, the supply of goods and the movement of staff is essential."

Deloitte's Games Readiness report found that even in London, 60pc of businesses expect only a minimal impact from the Games, despite the potential disruption to transport and accommodation, and potential shortages of catering and security services. Only 7pc fear a lack of hotel availability, and 8pc a disruption to supplies.

Nigel Bourne, the CBI's London director, warned there needs to be an "education" with businesses about how to financially benefit from the Games and prepare for potential disruption. He said that demand on London's transport network during the six-week period that the Olympics and Paralympics are held will be "far greater than anything we have seen".

"I would urge businesses to start looking at these things now rather than at the end of 2011," he said. The CBI is holding regular meetings with its members about the Olympics, while the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is also preparing a package on travel that it will distribute to companies.

A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said the Government was "working closely with existing business networks, such as CBI and FSB, to ensure that British firms maximise the opportunities created by the Games". He added: "These networks have also been used to consult with companies about possible short-term impacts on trading at Games-time and how to maintain business as usual."

Concerns about the preparedness of companies comes just days after figures from the ODA also called into question how widespread the economic benefits of the Games would be to the UK. Out of the 1,300 tier-one contracts worth £5.2bn for the construction of the venues, Welsh companies have won just £574,000 of work, the equivalent of 0.01pc. Meanwhile, Scottish groups have won just 0.43pc and Northern Irish 0.33pc.

The figures prompted criticism of the Welsh Government – which admitted it was "disappointed" over the lack of deals – about its efforts to help companies secure contracts, although the ODA has stressed that companies in the country have won work from the 70,000 contracts generated through the supply chain.

Mr Bourne, however, believes that the UK economy will still enjoy widespread benefits from the Games. The CBI backed London's bid to host the Olympics, believing there will be a boost not only from tourism but the "international promotion" of London and the UK, a sentiment backed by 92pc of business in a recent survey.

"If you look at other Olympic cities who have done a good job of staging the games, such as Barcelona and Sydney, they have been transformed," he added. "Businesses outside London have already benefited from winning contracts and I think businesses will also benefit from spending by people coming into the UK or from their community. We all hope that people who come to visit the Games will also spend some time in other parts of the UK. There will also be the knock-on effects from the various training camps."

In the Deloitte survey, although only half of businesses said they expect an increase in demand, 20pc expected a strong increase. Also, a quarter of the 200 large companies surveyed – which employ more than 500 people – have appointed an individual or group to assess the potential opportunities and disruptions from the Games. At BAA, for example, Danny Sloan is 2012 director. He is in charge of preparing for the huge influx of passengers that the company's airports will see during the Games, including the athletes themselves.

However, Heather Hancock, the London 2012 partner at Deloitte, warned: "There is a disconnect in that many businesses are expecting to see an increase in demand for their services but are not planning or thinking about what they need to do in order to secure that extra business. They should recognise that their competitors will be, and in some cases already are, planning for this upturn. Relying on an assumption that demand will increase automatically could leave them out in the cold come 2012."

Actually, quick question about what you're actually buying tickets for.

Would you buy a ticket for just an event (for example, the Mens 100m final) or would you buy a ticket for a time in the stadium when that event is to be run? (for the 2nd Friday afternoon which I think is traditionally when the 100m final is held?)

The 100m final lasts, literally, about 10 seconds? Would they really be filling and emptying the stadium for that or would you get a few hours of entertainment there?

Actually, quick question about what you're actually buying tickets for.

Would you buy a ticket for just an event (for example, the Mens 100m final) or would you buy a ticket for a time in the stadium when that event is to be run? (for the 2nd Friday afternoon which I think is traditionally when the 100m final is held?)

The 100m final lasts, literally, about 10 seconds? Would they really be filling and emptying the stadium for that or would you get a few hours of entertainment there?

Athletics, swimming, cycling etc. will all have a morning and evening session.

The morning session will contain just heats while the evening session will have a mixture of finals, semi-finals and quater-finals and maybe even some heats.

In terms of the 100m there will be other events on. I think in other world/euro/olympics you would the 100m final evening session typically contained something like:

- 100m semi finals (men's)
- 5,000m or 10,000 final (something not involving heats)
- shot put final
- some other heats (probably another running event and maybe a jumping event too)
- 100m final

Registering for tickets was a mistake. My mailbox is completely full of spam now. I even got a spam mail about the dressage :ohno:

I only want a couple of tickets. Womens beach volley of course - although we are doing that one as a teambuilding exercise at work - but for personal use I want to see the velodrome cycling, some athletics and maybe the BMX. Possibly some archery. Oh, and swimming.

All the other sports are bit boring and crap really. Atistic Gymnastics FFS! I certainly dont want to recieve any more spam about them!

Hmm I have two questions:

a) Is it worth volunteering for the games?

b) Why is the merchandise so expensive?! one of those little logo badges are £5!

Hmm I have two questions:

a) Is it worth volunteering for the games?

b) Why is the merchandise so expensive?! one of those little logo badges are £5!

It depends what you want out of volunteering. If people want to feel like they are giving something back to the country by providing their free time showcasing Britain to the world, do it. If all they want is some recognition and feel like they are owed thanks then don't bother. Volunteering should be a personal choice to help people/projects selflessly, volunteering is not a CV filler for career progression, which I'm afraid many people today see it.

Olympic Park Energy Centre powers to finish line delivering sustainable legacy for 2012

Link to www.london2012.com/ article (http://www.london2012.com/press/media-releases/2010/10/olympic-park-energy-centre-powers-to-finish-line-deliver.php)

The state-of-the-art Energy Centre in the Olympic Park was unveiled today by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). The building was officially opened by Mayor of London Boris Johnson, ODA Chief Executive David Higgins and Gérard Mestrallet, Chairman & CEO of GDF SUEZ who will own and operate the new facility.

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/pictures/800x400fitpad%5B238%5D/8/5/2/1677852_101015_ODA_MDA_DT_023_HI.JPG

The Energy Centre will help reduce the carbon emissions of the Olympic Park and deliver an early legacy of sustainable energy across the site well before the Games begin. The project is the largest energy centre scheme to be built so far in the UK.

The Energy Centre will provide an efficient low-carbon heating and cooling system across the site for the Games and for the new buildings and communities that will develop after 2012. The Energy Centre is now available to meet the heating and cooling requirements of venues and buildings across the Olympic Park.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London said: 'It is an environmental imperative that we harness the delivery of 2012 Games to raise new standards of sustainability. Not only will this leverage in new skills and job opportunities for Londoners, but also help the transition towards a low carbon economy. It is a fantastic achievement that the Olympic Park will be powered locally. Not only will it generate electricity but the heat from that process will also be used to heat and cool buildings providing a valuable wider legacy for the vibrant new metropolitan quarter we are creating in east London. We want to encourage more energy centres such as this one through the London Green Fund, which will offer loans for innovative infrastructure projects.'

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: 'The opening of the Energy Centre is a significant milestone for the Olympic Park and demonstrates the sustainability features that underpin this project. The Energy Centre will deliver essential services throughout the Olympic Park well before the Games begin and ensure a lasting legacy of green power for generations to come. The delivery of this facility is a considerable achievement and sets a model for future urban regeneration schemes'

Andrew Altman, Chief Executive of the Olympic Park Legacy Company, said: 'The Energy Centre will be a core part of our long-term sustainability aims, meeting all future energy needs of the Olympic Park including the five new neighbourhoods that will be developed. Not only will it be more energy efficient by eliminating the need for boilers in each home, but it has the capacity to supply the areas surrounding the Park and, in turn, leave an even bigger legacy for east London.'

The facility will provide an efficient low-carbon heating and cooling system across the site for the Games and for the new buildings and communities that will develop after 2012, contributing towards the ODA’s overall target to reduce carbon emissions by 50% across the Olympic Park.

The Energy Centre will include a gas-fired Combined Cooling Heat & Power (CCHP) plant to capture the heat generated by electricity production. It will also include biomass-fired boilers using sustainable biomass fuels (woodchip) to generate heat and deliver low carbon energy. Cooling will be provided through a combination of electric, ammonia based chillers and absorption chillers which are driven by heat recovered from plant in the Energy Centre.

The Energy Centre has a flexible modular design, meaning that further capacity and new technology can be added as the area is developed after the Games and demand increases.

Emphasis has been put on the architectural designs of the energy centre to ensure it fits in with the design of the wider Olympic Park. The energy centre has been designed by John McAslan & Partners and reflects the Victorian heritage of the Olympic Park site as well as drawing inspiration from iconic London power stations such as Tate Modern (the former Bankside power station) and Battersea power station. Part of the utilities infrastructure will be housed within an existing Edwardian building which is being retained and renovated and will include space for a visitors’ centre to be added in the future.

The Energy Centre has been also been designed to be part of a wider ‘family’ of utility buildings on the Olympic Park, to join the electricity substation and sewer pumping station – these main utility buildings have all been designed to be ‘grounded in the earth’ with a solidity to give them a separate identity to the main sporting venues in the Olympic Park which are seen as lightweight and floating out of the ground.

Energy Centre fact file:

* The Energy Centre has been designed, financed and built by Cofely, subsidiary of GDF SUEZ, together with approximately 16km of community energy networks. It will be operated by Cofely, the energy services company of GDF SUEZ, for 40 years
* An initial capacity of 46.5 MW of heating and 16 MW of cooling
* The Energy Centre building is 45m tall at its highest point
* Equipment in the building includes five cooling towers, and two hot water boilers each weighing around 60 tons
* The Energy Centre will provide heating and cooling through 16km of Community Energy Networks across the Olympic Park
* An early legacy of sustainable and essential energy services
* The facility will use zero carbon renewable energy sources such as biomass
* The CCHP system has been designed to use recycled wastewater to cool the Energy Centre
* The community energy networks across the Olympic Park have been designed to operate at low temperatures, minimising energy losses
* Heating will be affordable, with mechanisms in place to ensure that supply costs less to end-users than traditional means
* A 2nd Energy Centre is being built in Stratford City to supply the new retail and commercial development
* The flexible modular building design avoids overcapacity in first phase of development but allows future technologies to be incorporated in the building as they are developed and as demand grows after 2012

Isn't that chimney meant to be covered up?

oh i hope not. Its an all round great aesthetic

wow umm, even though most venues are supposed to be finished around next summer, they will still look half finished? Especially now the stadium isn't getting its wrap, and the energy centre doesn't look any where near as appealing as it did in its renders. The only one which has had its cuts and still delivers is the velodrome in my opinion

Well renders suggested it would look like this

http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/galleries/news/olympics2012/energy-entre-large.jpg

http://static.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/14992_2_oda2.jpg

http://static.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/14992_3_oda3.jpg

http://static.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/14992_6_oda6.jpg

London 2012 Pins & Badges (http://www.londonpins.co.uk)

The online resource for London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic pin badge information.

The Next Olympics: Making a plan and keeping ahead of schedule is the way to avoid the mess we saw in CWG

-- Link to Businessworld article (http://www.businessworld.in/bw/2010_10_23_The_Next_Olympics.html) --

The Commonwealth Games have been a godsend for the media; they have never been presented with so much dirty linen to wash in such a short time. I am happy with the games for two other reasons. First, they were preceded by enormous investment in Delhi’s infrastructure: roads have been widened, crossings redesigned, and the roadside beautified. Delhi was always one of India’s best cities to live in; now it is even better. And second, the games got such bad advance publicity that many people just left the city. As a result, traffic was lighter, and the city less crowded, at least while the games lasted. I cannot continue on this topic without joining the washermen, so let me go on to a related topic — the London Olympics of 2012.

The Thames River is not very deep; it could not take East Indiamen — the big sailing ships of 800-1200 tons that traded with the east. So their cargo was unloaded into barges at the mouth of the river and taken upriver to various wharves. It was a great attraction for pirates, who preyed on the barges. The trade was booming; the number of East Indiamen returning was 27 in 1792, 33 in 1793, 42 in 1794 and 63 in 1796.

The logistics of unloading the ships, taking the barges to wharves, getting the goods past the customs and sending them across the country were getting too complicated. So the trading companies worked out a solution: they decided to build docks at the mouth of the river. The ships would be unloaded there and the cargo would be transported from there by road. There were three of these docks — East India docks, West India Docks and London Docks. All three were built on the north bank of the river, east of the City, in the first decade of the 19th century.

Once India became independent in 1947, trade with Britain began to decline. East India Docks lost business, and were finally closed down in 1967. Their ruins have been standing till now. An area of one square mile comprising them was given in 2007 to a newly created private company called LOCOG — Local Organizing Committee for Olympic Games and Paraolympic Games. Its budget is 2 billion Pounds; except for a small contribution from the International Olympic Committee and sale of tickets and memorabilia, it will raise the money from corporate sponsorships.

The London Olympics are scheduled for 29 July-12 August 2012. The planning for them began a year before the Peking Olympics. A plan was made setting milestones to be achieved by different dates. Before the Peking Olympics, all architectural plans had to be ready, and all digging and demolition was to be completed. Then by 27 July 2009, the foundations of all buildings were to be completed. By 27 July 2010, the external structures of all big buildings had to be ready.

By 6 August this year, the Olympic Stadium’s roof cover was completed and 2012th seat fitted. The structures of the baseball and basketball stadia and the press centre were in place. The roof of the aquatics centre was up, and the pool had been dug, lined and tested. The velodrome was fitted with a watertight roof. Stratford railway station was being improved to handle the traffic, and 19 live sites with big screens and event spaces had been set up across the country. Five of the 11 residential blocks were ready.

Since the land belongs to various government bodies, a separate public authority called the Olympic Development Authority has been created to take it over. It will get 2.2 billion Pounds from National Lottery; once the land has been developed and sold, National Lottery will share in the profits. Unlike the Indian Commonwealth Games Authority which was given government funds, the ODA and LOCOG will have to convince their financiers about the viability of their plans. They have already lined up 34 big companies as partners, including Arcelor Mittal, McDonalds and Coca Cola.

The games authorities plan to recruit 70,000 young men and women, between 16 and 19 years. They will have to make themselves available for at least 10 days (20 if they work for the paralympic games too). They will have to work 8-10 hours a day, and will get nothing beyond free meals and transport. They will not get free tickets, or leave to attend events of their choice. And yet the authorities expect to receive ten times as many applications as they need.

This is how the British are going about preparing for the Olympics. It is not rocket science; it is just good planning. It is a pity that we did not learn that much from them in 150 years of being their colony.

Why the Olympic Park building site has become London's hot new tourist attraction

-- Link to Daily Mail article (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1322579/London-2012-Olympic-Park-capitals-hot-new-tourist-attraction.html) --

Building sites are not generally places that attract day-trippers but then the 2012 Olympic Park has more potential than your average development. Indeed, so popular is the work in progress proving that around 110,000 curious visitors have already descended on London's east end to have a nose around. On a sunny autumn afternoon, I joined a few of them - and some 10,000 men in hard hats - at what is turning out to be the capital's unlikely new tourist attraction...

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/10/22/article-1322579-0BB918CA000005DC-678_634x340.jpg

Pulling into Pudding Mill Station on the Docklands Light Railway, it is hard to avoid the Olympic Park, the train practically hovers right over the site. The raised line that leads from central London out to Stratford in the east is the kind of route a tourist bus would charge a fortune to ride, but for the price of a commuter train ticket you can fly right by the stadium and venues in all their glory. However, I have been told I can enjoy an even better view with a quick walk to the foot and cycle path known as the Greenway - a once-neglected passage considered far too dangerous to venture down but now revamped thanks to a wave of the Olympic wand.

The four-and-a-half mile route cuts across east London and borders the building site is currently Olympic Park, offering some great vantage points from which to see the new structures come to life. Known as the View Tube, the main lookout has been made all the more pleasant by a community-run cafe located in a bright green building made from recycled shipping containers - these are to be known as the 'Green Games' after all.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/10/22/article-1322579-0BB8C056000005DC-193_634x379.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/10/22/article-1322579-0BB8C010000005DC-934_634x352.jpg

It is not unusual to see groups on Blue Badge guided tours around the outskirts of the site making a quick pitstop en masse at the cafe to enjoy bargain bacon butties and homemade cakes. Nor is it surprising to see a gaggle of schoolchildren being shepherded into the View Tube building and the classroom upstairs which has been designed to host and inspire younger visitors.

I'm surprised that even on a weekday there seems to be a steady trickle of locals and visitors dropping in to enjoy a coffee with a view - I even spotted the odd business meeting taking place. For the adventurous who want to explore further afield, bikes are for hire for a wallet-friendly £5, enabling you to take yourself off around the circumference of the Park and down the length of The Greenway with its unparalleled views of London's City skyline.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/10/22/article-1322579-0BB92345000005DC-289_634x381.jpg

But if you really want a dose of Olympic fever, there is no better way to join the excitement than with a free bus tour inside the hallowed fences of the Park. The trips take place daily but are so popular that you have to book three to four months in advance (book now if you want to see it in spring) to even have a hope of setting foot inside London's ultimate sports venue before 2012.

But it is well worth the long waiting list and stringent security checks. As I pass by the sweeping roof of the velodrome - everybody's favourite building - and the wibbly, tent-like basketball arena, it is fascinating to hear the thought process behind each decision and the unusual history of the area. How poetic that the Park is being built on what was once a dumping ground for WW2 rubble and the site where the running track from the 1948 Olympics is buried.

While I can't get out of the vehicle for safety reasons ('Olympic rubble crushes visitor' is not among the headlines the organisers want to create), I'm as close to the action as it is possible to be ahead of the official opening. And there is something truly exciting about seeing the Park mid-transformation - it feels like a VIP-style sneak peek behind the scenes with giant steel rods rushed past us and bulky items lurking mysteriously under tarpaulins.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/10/22/article-1322579-0BB8BD8A000005DC-198_634x406.jpg

A surprising number of structures look almost finished from the outside. Some are temporary and others are purposefully designed so that they can be converted into something else once the games are over. The enormous media centre has had cooling systems built on the outside, so that once the TV cameras have gone, they can be removed easily and the building put to good use in other ways. The Aquatics Centre and Stadium have extra seating that can be detached to make them smaller and the Basketball Arena can be taken down and set up in another part of the UK that needs a sports venue.

Three waterways criss-cross the Park and the banks - currently covered in orange fencing to protect new plants - are being designed to create picnic spots for the visiting masses. And organisers have worked with the University of Sheffield to choose just the right wildflowers for the meadow outside the Stadium so they bloom an appropriate gold colour in the month of August.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/10/22/article-1322579-0BB8C036000005DC-163_634x382.jpg

But it's not just the pretty touches that make the site so special, the idea of creating a legacy - so intrinsic to London's successful bid - has come to life in a myriad of unusual ways. As well as the 4,000 trees being planted, a 2,000-pupil school is also being built just behind the Olympic Village so that when it is turned into a residential area in 2013 there is already a community feel.

The soil of the once-industrial site has been removed and cleaned before being built on, to rid it of the poisonous asbestos and chemicals that had seeped into the ground and an apprentice centre has been set up to train young people in the building and construction trade. Seeing the Park now, there is a real sense of seeing the power of regeneration in action. Visitors leave walking that little bit taller, that little bit prouder, and local children are full of bubbling, excited chatter. As for me, I'm heading straight home to apply for 2012 tickets online. There's no way I'm missing out on this party.

Guys don't you think that the Olympic stadium is bit boring...It doesn't look like one wanted for OLYMPICS.....it's just my opinion...kindly don't draw any comparisons..especially with Delhi Stadium...Rest venues for 2012 olympics look good

It would've looked great with the wrap ;)

It would've looked great with the wrap ;)

Yes exactly....however, with those thin legs it looks out of order....lets see what finally it comes up with...!!!

Firework displays could be ditched from ceremonies The International Olympic Committee is to consider whether to ditch traditional fireworks displays at the opening and closing ceremonies at the London 2012 Games on environmental grounds.

By Jacquelin Magnay
Published: 8:33PM BST 24 Oct 2010
Explosive: the firework display at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics could be lastPhoto: AFP The Sri Lankan National Olympic Committee president Hemasiri Fernando said the extensive use of fireworks used during the ceremonies caused a potential polluting effect. The IOC has now promised to put the matter to its environmental committee.
“We all have the responsibility to protect this earth and the fireworks have a tremendous effect on the environment,” Fernando said.

IOC president Jacques Rogge said he was taking the issue seriously but wanted more information about the carbon footprint of previous displays.
However, Lord Coe, chairman of the London 2012 organising committee, said he preferred to concentrate on the sporting side of the Games.
“We have a creative team who are looking at things and putting stuff together and, while I am keen to observe the views of all 205 national olympic committees, at this moment my focus is delivering the 26 sports and I don’t have a fireworks policy,” he said.

Back in 1988 there was an outcry about the tradition of releasing doves to symbolise peace and the Olympic truce at the Games following the death of a flock of doves when the Seoul cauldron was lit.
Rogge added: “The doves went in the cauldron and tens of doves were burned alive and there was a lot of emotion from the world wildlife fund and animal protection and the IOC decided no doves would be released any more."
Fireworks comprised an extraordinary part of the spectacular opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, although organisers came under fire for “faking” the broadcast footage of the colourful sequence with an overlay of pre-filmed firework explosions.

The Energy Centre looks good .... more than a passing resemblence to Birmingham's Science Museum, Thinktank .... which perhaps should've also been an 'energy centre'!!!

http://www.thinktank.ac/core/core_picker/loadandresize.asp?width=484&height=%5Bauto%5D&vcrop=both&hcrop=both&quality=75&algorithm=5&id=2464&filetitle=Millennium+Point&extension=jpghttp://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/07/24/article-1201731-05D49D43000005DC-260_468x286.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3049/2944534877_b96ac45071_z.jpg?zz=1

yay, no stadium exterior, no fireworks. Maybe we could switch the lighting off aswell, that would save few bob.

Surely we should just hold the whole event in a field somewhere, even cheaper!

ooh health and safety^... I think an empty carpark would be better. Im sure Tesco or Asda could help out.

...with the lights out.

London 2012 Olympics: IOC president Jacques Rogge praises Games organisers (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/8088923/London-2012-Olympics-IOC-president-Jacques-Rogge-praises-Games-organisers.html)
26 Oct 2010

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge is so impressed with the preparations for the London 2012 Olympic Games he has predicted that they will be ''a great success''.

Dr Rogge was so confident in the professionalism of the Games organisers that he publicly praised them following a three day IOC executive board meeting.

He noted the next challenges for the organisers were the same as for every Games cycle - moving from the construction phase to the operational phase and learning from the test event period.

''London is going extremely well, ''he said. ''This is really a very good preparation. Test events are a very good indicator.'' Dr Rogge said Britain was the country that invented modern sport and that pedigree will underpin the strength of the British team at their home games.

''They are very strong in sport, the British Olympic Association at the last two games was outstanding and I have every confidence in their success,'' he said.

Meanwhile Dr Rogge has faciliated discussions between Israel and Palestine here in Acapulco after a recent goodwill tour to the Middle East and the two countries will meet in Lausanne early next year to discuss sporting issues.

''Palestinian athletes have trouble coming to Palestine, travelling back from international competions which is sometimes a lengthy process. The two (countries met here ) together, agreed on inventory of issues that have to be solved, an inventory of bilaterial support and exchanges that could be carried out,'' Dr Rogge said.

He also confirmed that Haiti would be the next recipient of the Olympic Youth Development Centre under its Sports for Hope initiative.

A meeting is being organised for early next year to bring together government, sport and regulatory bodies like Interpol to see how a legislation can help sports in battling illegal and corrupt betting practices.

Dr Rogge said the IOC had already worked with cricket, equestrian and tennis as the sports most affected by irregular betting and had expanded the involvment of a monitoring company to embrace other international sports competitions and international federations.

Great post about the CWG v the London games.

Anyone willing to befriend me and put me up for 2 weeks during the Olympics?

I have a three bed house right next to the excel. I am def gonna rent out my 2 spare rooms during the games.

Russians splash out to hire Marble Arch for Olympic parties

Russian Olympic chiefs are to take over Marble Arch and turn it into a stunning party venue for the 2012 Games.

Details of a multi-million-pound deal to establish “Russia House” on the West End traffic island are being finalised with Westminster council. A temporary multi-storey canopy will be erected around the arch and some of the surrounding parkland will be requisitioned.

The project, which will require planning permission, is being funded by the Russian National Olympic Committee and the organising committee of the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Russia has a reputation for staging the most lavish Olympic parties as the country reasserts itself as a sporting superpower. An entire science museum was hired by the Russians as their base for the Vancouver Winter Olympics in February.

The Marble Arch site is close to the cluster of Park Lane hotels to be used by Olympic VIPs and will be connected to the network of priority road lanes for officials and sponsors.

The Russians settled on the traffic island after they were told that their first choice, the Royal Albert Hall, was unavailable because of the Proms.

The Marble Arch deal is the most eye-catching of the “Olympic houses” agreed so far for 2012. The venues are used for parties and as trade missions and networking bases for many of the 204 competing nations.

Holland's “Heineken House” is expected to be at Alexandra Palace and the owners of Westfield Stratford City shopping mall, overlooking the Olympic Park, are thought to have held talks with the Australian and British Olympic committees.

France has booked the Old Billingsgate market in the City and Brazil, hosts of the 2016 Olympics, will be based at Somerset House.

The Olympic houses are expected to provide a £100 million boost for the hospitality industry in London.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23893587-russians-splash-out-to-hire-marble-arch-for-olympic-parties.do

I've seen that £100m from tourism figure before, I think its' an industry prediction.

Olympic Park to rival Silicon Valley in David Cameron's vision for east London• Google and Facebook among cutting edge investors



Work continues at the Olympic stadium in east London where David Cameron wants to create a hi-tech rival to Silicon Valley. Photograph: Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters

David Cameron will today set out a vision of London's East End becoming a hi-tech rival to Silicon Valley on the US west coast, disclosing Google, Facebook and a host of cutting-edge firms have committed to invest in the Olympic Park.

In a speech today, the prime minister will announce that he is introducing a new entrepreneurial visa as well as allowing more intra-company transfers – moves that will blow a hole in his plan for an immigration cap.

Cameron will also disclose that he will look at a potentially far-reaching change to intellectual property rights after Google told him UK laws are far more restrictive than the US.

The prime minister will say he is determined to create the right environment for the thriving start-ups already flourishing in London's Old Street and Shoreditch areas to grow into multimillion pound global businesses.

He will say: "Silicon Valley is the leading place in the world for hi-tech growth and innovation. But there's no reason why it has to be so predominant.

"Our ambition is to bring together the creativity and energy of Shoreditch and the incredible possibilities of the Olympic Park to help make east London one of the world's great technology centres."

Cameron's team, in a round of meetings with hi-tech firms and venture capitalists, has won support for his vision.

Google, Facebook, Intel and McKinsey & Co are among the companies that will commit to invest in the future of the area. Google had told him the company could not have been formed in the UK.

He will say: "The service they provide depends on taking a snapshot of all the content on the internet at any one time and they feel our copyright system is not as friendly to this sort of innovation as it is in the United States.

"Over there, they have what are called 'fair-use' provisions, which some people believe gives companies more breathing space to create new products and services."

In the two main commitments to east London, Google will create an Innovation Hub for its researchers to come together with developers and academics to create the next generation of applications and services. Facebook will create a permanent home for its Developer Garage programme, which brings together the most talented UK developers and entrepreneurs.

Cameron's decision on intra-company transfers will mean that employees of multinationals who move to work in British branches, potentially numbering in their thousands, will be exempt from the permanent immigration cap to be introduced in April. Out of the 36,490 skilled workers who came to Britain from outside Europe last year, 22,000 came on intra-company transfers. More than half of the ICT visas went to three Indian IT companies and the British IT industry has been pressing for them to be included in the cap. The largest single group of unemployed graduates is in IT.

The decision follows fierce lobbying by big employers including Nissan, Toyota and Honda who threatened to close UK plants if they cannot move staff freely.

The announcement is thought to be the result of a deal between the business secretary, Vince Cable, who wanted a more flexible cap, and the home secretary, Theresa May. UK Border Agency officials have been concerned that the route has been used, particularly by Indian IT companies, to undercut British graduate salaries.

Cameron was lobbied by the Indian government on the issue during his recent visit.

The decision means it will be harder for the government to get net migration – 196,000 last year – down to the "tens of thousands" promised by the next general election.

Home Office sources said the formula leaves the door open for a limit to be placed on intra-company transfers outside the formal immigration cap. One option is to limit the visas to 12 months – which would have blocked all but 6,000 of last year's arrivals. Another option is to require a minimum salary of £45,000 which would also curb numbers.




http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/nov/04/london-olympics-legacy-silicon-valley-cameron

the vision sounds promising but i hope it is not at the expense of a vision for the physical built enviornment. No idea why they promised an immigration cap in the first place.

I’ll turn the East End into the British Silicon Valley


David Cameron




04.11.10

Silicon Valley is the leading place in the world for hi-tech growth and innovation; the place where companies head if they want to break the mould.

At the moment, there is nothing like it anywhere else. But something exciting is happening in east London — so exciting, in fact, that it means we could create another Silicon Valley. This isn't far fetched — all the elements are here too.

Already the area around Old Street and Shoreditch has more than one hundred technology companies, attracted to the cheaper rents, the great transport links and the cafés and galleries. Add to that the Olympic Park. Just a few Tube stops away, there's the potential for nearly one million square feet of flexible office and research space which our technology companies can expand into.

And then throw into the mix the fact that London has more outstanding universities than any other city in the world, plus a host of venture capital firms that are willing to invest, and east London has all the ingredients to become one of the world's leading technology centres.

Indeed, there's so much potential in the area that after many phone calls and dozens of meetings, we've helped to inspire a huge mobilisation of business and enterprise. Today, a who's who of some of the world's biggest companies and organisations — from Facebook to Google, Cisco to McKinsey, BT to Barclays, plus many, many more — are committing to invest in the long-term future of east London. These companies are putting up everything from free business advice to start-ups, to help with financing and the laying down of super-fast broadband cables.

Perhaps most exciting of all, Intel, Google and Facebook are all creating either research labs or innovation spaces in east London, where the latest technologies can come together with new entrepreneurial ideas to produce the businesses of the future. And Vodafone has committed to bring its global innovation fund to the capital, to hunt out cutting-edge British technology.

There's nothing that says Silicon Valley has to dominate the world of technology from now until the end of time. Other hubs can rise to challenge them. The question is where will they be? I believe if we recognise our strengths, have the confidence to really go for it and understand what it takes — London can be one of them.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23894507-ill-turn-the-east-end-into-the-british-silicon-valley.do

http://i53.tinypic.com/2j16iqu.jpg

Visited the London 2012 shop at St Pancras, picked up a badge.

I really do love the logo, and think it's spot on. The Media were always going to hate it, and the masses followed.

good on ya! think i'll get one tonight when i travel up North...

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20101109/tuk-uk-olympics-britain-finance-fa6b408.html

The cost of the 2012 Olympic aquatics centre has risen, but savings made elsewhere could see a final overall budget underspend of up to 500 million pounds, government figures showed on Tuesday. Skip related content
Related content

The wave-shaped venue, designed by Zaha Hadid, is expected to need an extra 11 million pounds to keep construction on track after problems with the roof and to meet strict poolside air temperature guidelines, the latest quarterly figures showed.

The cost has been on the rise since the original estimate of 75 million pounds, and now stands at 268 million pounds.

But the overall Olympic bill is expected to stay within the 9.3 billion pound budget, with the share of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) -- the body responsible for getting the Games ready -- expected to come in at 7.23 billion pounds.

"The ODA has continued to drive down costs and deliver savings despite this being the most complex year in construction terms," said Olympics minister Hugh Robertson.

The ODA has made 750 million pounds of savings since the 2007 baseline budget was agreed, including 29 million in the last quarter, the bulk of which was in response to the government's October spending review.

Part of the savings came from ditching the 7 million pound eye-catching plastic wrap around the main stadium, a move criticised in some quarters, including by the architect.

But Olympic officials suggested alternative funding could be found to restore the wrap, with "real possibilities being explored."

"As soon as we were clear that this wouldn't affect wind speeds and timings in the stadium then we were happy to take it (the wrap) off and then open it up to architectural experts and others who will take a view, and indeed sponsors, and the private sector in general to see if they want to have a look at it," Robertson told reporters.

A performance-related payment of 10 million pounds was put aside for the ODA's delivery partner, the CLM consortium.

The contingency fund stands at 1.14 billion pounds, with about 500 million pounds earmarked for venue security and ferrying people safely between transport hubs and venues and other measures.

The remaining 500 million would be used for any unexpected costs, but potentially could be banked by the Treasury as a saving.

But the final cost would still be considerably more than the estimated 2.4 billion pounds announced when London successfully bid to host the Games.

The Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, continues to take shape, with 75 percent of it completed. The velodrome is due to be the first new stadium completed early in 2011.

I'm glad to see this matter is being taken seriously. Athough disappointed that even after £750 million in savings that the £7 million wrap was cut. I mean the saving is so meagre in the big picture..

If window dressing venues comes out of LOCOGs privately funded budget, I think the wrap is the easiest to pass over from the ODA. Quite cunning really.

I think they got stung by the near universal negative reaction. It would look awful, even if we don't like it the world will be comparing the London games to the extravaganza in Beijing. The wrap was a low cost way to create a visually interesting stadium.

Kind of like a cheap Allianz stadium in munich.

If window dressing venues comes out of LOCOGs privately funded budget, I think the wrap is the easiest to pass over from the ODA. Quite cunning really.

If this is true, and if they've always been confident of sponsors picking up the tab, then this is a clever move by the ODA and indeed by the government. If we get the wrap and sponsors are happy to invest in it, then credit where credit is due.

If......being the operative word.

Nice to see the wrap news has made it to national BBC news this morning. Good it's building up a negative head of steam, hopefully the ODA or LOCOG will be taking note!!

my concern is the wrap will now be used simply to show corporate logos.

my concern is the wrap will now be used simply to show corporate logos.

As mentioned before, this is against IOC rules so wont happen during the olympics.

http://i51.tinypic.com/syxh8h.jpg

Leading GB artist appointed to tell the story of the Olympic Park's 'big build'

-- Link to London2012 article (http://www.london2012.com/press/media-releases/2010/11/leading-gb-artist-appointed-to-tell-the-story-of-the-olympic-park-s-big-buil.php) --

http://www.london2012.com/images/olympic-park/greenway-markers.jpg
'Greenway markers', new public art on the Olympic Park boundary

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has appointed an artist and curator to undertake a 16-month residency on the London 2012 project, with the aim of delivering a number of artist-led, participatory projects with the Olympic Park’s workforce and the local communities around the site. The residency is supported by the National Lottery, through Arts Council England.

Neville Gabie has been appointed as the ODA’s artist in residence with Sam Wilkinson (InSite Arts) as curator. Neville Gabie’s work focuses on understanding the changing nature of locations and the diverse communities who live and work in them. His previous projects and residencies include spending four months in Antarctica with the British Antarctic survey and three years on the Cabot Circus Development building site in Bristol as well as carrying out international residencies in China, Western Australia and working with an NGO in Pakistan.

Sarah Weir, Head of Arts and Cultural Strategy at the Olympic Delivery Authority said: 'With the Olympic Park undergoing the "big build" phase, this is a special time for an artist to be on site and get under the skin of this unique regeneration project.

'We were looking for an artist who would be able to respond to the physical transformation of this part of London, honouring the history of the past while also capturing the changing nature of the present and the aspirations for the future. We hope that Neville’s work with the workforce and the communities around the Park will help continue to foster a sense of ownership and local involvement.'

Moira Sinclair, London Executive Director of Arts Council England, said: 'Artists have a unique viewpoint on the world; they help us question and understand what’s going on around us, as well as reach out to people and stimulate new thinking. I can’t think of a more inspiring and fast-changing environment right now than the Olympic Park, and look forward to seeing how Neville and Sam respond to this extraordinary opportunity in the coming months.'

Neville Gabie, artist in residence, said: 'This project brings together things that I have long been passionate about – the diversity of community, engagement with people and place, and a shared experience of sport and play. This project represents a wonderful opportunity to develop my own creative practice and share that experience with wider audiences.'

Sam Wilkinson, curator, said: 'Within a few days of starting our research, we were overwhelmed by the passion of the people building the Park, the opportunities for jobs, skills development and the myriad of roles and activities on site. We are excited that in some small way, Neville can share some of the stories of the site to those living in the immediate area and hopefully further afield.'

Neville will start by spending time researching the site and those working on it, shadowing a variety of jobs from the workforce before developing a series of participatory events for site workers and the local community.

Other artists working with the ODA on current or future projects on the Olympic Park include:

1. The Inside Out Floating Cinema

Hackney-based architects Studio Weave will work with artists Nina Pope and Karen Guthrie, known collectively as Somewhere, on a commission to create a floating structure which will accommodate film screenings, large outdoor film events and provide a base for the artists to meet with local people. The Inside Out Floating Cinema is a continuation of UP Projects’ Portavilion programme of temporary pavilions for London’s public spaces. It will form part of the Create 2011 summer festival, and the work will be installed before the Games.

2. Light commission for the Handball Plaza

Internationally renowned artist Monica Bonvicini has been appointed by the ODA to develop a landmark light commission in front of the Handball Arena. Details of her proposal will be released in Spring 2011, and the work will be installed before the 2012 Games.

3. The View Tube’s arts and culture programme

The View Tube, a new social enterprise and community venue with panoramic views of the Olympic Park, is developing an Arts Council England funded cultural programme curated by Alice Sharp. The line up will include well known artists Gavin Turk, Faisal Abdu’Allah, Lisa Cheung and Brian Griffiths.

4. Poetry in the Park: Winning Words

The first poem for the Olympic Park has been written by local and renowned poet Lemn Sissay. Inspired by the history of the site, Sissay has written “Spark Catchers”, a poignant poem on the history of the Bryant and May match factory which still exists on the edge of the Park in Bow. “Spark Catchers” will be etched into a wooden structure in the north of the Park which will house one of the main electricity transformers.

5. Utilities buildings

The ODA, supported by the Contemporary Art Society, has appointed renowned British artists Clare Woods and DJ Simpson to create two large-scale works to be integrated into the facades of two utilities buildings in the south of the Park. Both artists have taken the landscape of the Park as the inspiration for their works, and are using materials which resonate with the area’s previous industrial heritage. Both works are due to be installed in the spring of 2011.

6. The Clouds Bridge

Artists and designers Nazareno Crea and Oscar Bauer from the Royal College of Art have incorporated an artwork mural on a new bridge built by the ODA on the outskirts of the Olympic Park. They wanted the designs of abstract yet figurative images of the clouds in the sky to help the bridge become an iconic social point in the everyday life of Stratford.

7. Inter Alia

Turner Prize winning artist Grenville Davey helped the Royal College of Art facilitate workshops with local people to develop ideas for an installation that would be incorporated into the retaining walls of the Central Park bridge in the Olympic Park. The theme of ‘leaving your mark’ was developed by Davey into differently sized ‘finger prints’, marking space and disrupting the surface of the wall. The work will be installed in the spring of 2011.

8. lfo spectrum

The ODA, supported by Modus Operandi, commissioned internationally renowned artist Carsten Nicolai to create an artwork for the fence of an infrastructure building in the Olympic Park. His piece is an alternative representation of the Olympic emblem with the five rings transformed into an image of a low-frequency oscillation sound wave. Using the colour spectrum of a sunset, the artwork was then digitally printed directly onto the fence.

9. One Whirl

Hackney-based artist Martin Richman won the competition to incorporate an art commission into one of the new bridges and underpasses being built on the Olympic Park. Richman's concept, which is inspired by the energy of the Games, will be seen on one of the bridges near the Velodrome and on the walls and ceiling of an underpass that will allow pedestrians to walk under the A12 road.

10. Memory Marathon

Memory Marathon was a large-scale participatory event in which artist Simon Pope walked a specially planned 26-mile route through the five Host Boroughs for London 2012. He was companied by 104 residents who recalled their stand-out memories from Olympic and Paralympic history. An 80-minute film of the day was shown to acclaim earlier this year. In November 2010, Simon is re-visiting the route and some of the walkers, to reflect how the local landscape has continued to change. A special screening of ‘Memory Marathon’, including new footage, is planned for early 2011.

11. Fast, faster, fastest

Jason Bruges Studio’s concepts will be seen on one of the Stadium bridges as well as two underpasses. The bridge piece celebrates the achievements of Olympic and Paralympic champions with an interactive artwork that challenges people to race against the speed of their sporting heroes. The underpasses lighting schemes use complementary lighting artworks to reflect the movement of swimming and rowing.

12. ‘Fantasticology Wildfower Meadows’ and ‘Greenway Markers’

A team of The Klassnik Corporation, Riitta Ikonen and We Made That, a group of young artists and designers, were commissioned to develop a family of landscape works in the Olympic Park and on The Greenway. The “Fantastic-Archaeology” project is a series of planting designs for wild-flower meadows in the south-east corner of the Olympic Stadium island, intended to reflect the previous industrial heritage of the site. The same team have also designed distinctive entrances to The Greenway at Wick Lane and Canning Road that relate to the history and municipal function of The Greenway as an important sewer route.

Gold-medal job on the 2012 Olympics site

-- Link to London Evening Standard article (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/markets/article-23897043-gold-medal-job-on-the-olympic-site.do) --

There is an enduring belief in this country that we cannot handle complex projects. The French can build nuclear power stations and high-speed rail links with never a backward glance. But we beat ourselves up even before the cost overruns come through, and convince ourselves it will be a disaster.

It is time to lighten up. The only occasion Terminal 5 at Heathrow got any publicity was when the baggage-handling system failed in the first few days after British Airways moved in. But the bigger story was that Terminal 5 was the largest single building construction project in Europe and it came in on time and on budget.

Today the big project is the Olympics site at Stratford, and again the tenor of much of the coverage is negative — a succession of niggling stories about how this supplier is in difficulties or that section is over budget.

The reality, however, as was pointed out yesterday by John Armitt, chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority, is that one of the largest construction projects in Europe is now 75% complete, on time and on budget.

What he perhaps should also have said is that it is a far more difficult build than other Olympic parks. No host country in the past 60 years has attempted to build its stadia in the heart of an existing metropolis. From Montreal to Munich, Atlanta to Athens, Beijing to Barcelona, they all built on the outskirts or where there was an abundance of space.

Choosing as we did to build on derelict land in the densely populated inner city made Stratford massively more complicated, and requires raw materials used every day to come in by canal, rail and road in quite astonishing quantities and in all weathers.

What is unfolding in Stratford is a triumph not just for civil engineering, construction and project management but also for logistics.
We really ought to celebrate it, not knock it.

Out of an urban backwater, the 2012 Olympic dream takes shape

-- Link to The Observer article (http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/nov/14/2012-london-olympics-construction) --

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Observer/Columnist/Columnists/2010/11/10/1289391168800/veldrome-006.jpg

The seduction of construction is a powerful thing. It is the way that the sheer fact of building, the churning of mud and materials into frames and buildings, and the choreography of workers and machines, convinces us that something is being dealt with or transformed. Before the purposefulness of building, doubts recede about the purpose of what is being built.

There is no better place in Britain to experience this effect than at the east London site of the 2012 Olympics. Here, 10,000 people are working over nearly 250 acres to turn billions of pounds into an array of large, singular buildings. Yet more are working on the adjoining site of the Westfield Stratford City shopping mall. Platoons of cherry pickers extend their long mechanical necks towards the sloping wall of the velodrome, so that its impeccably sourced timber cladding can be installed. Hills of spoil rise and fall, as mud is removed from one place to another. A forest of scaffolding fills the void beneath the aquatics centre's big, wavy roof. The miracle of completion is beginning to occur, in which pristine finishes emerge from the seeming chaos, looking as predicted in architects' drawings made some years ago.

Modern buildings are built in packages – concrete, steelwork, glazing and so on. This is a landscape made in packages, a series of huge dollops of construction, each with its own intentions and aesthetics, and with no great connection with its neighbours. What they do have in common is their Olympic purpose and a project-managed smoothness; most buildings have a certain stylishness, without being provocative or awkward. They will also be held together by the accommodating greenery of the Olympic Park at the centre.

Thus there is the shiny, white, shrink-wrapped basketball arena, a temporary structure that will come down after the Games. There are the two waves of the velodrome and the aquatics centre roofs, one a trough and the other a peak. There are the glitzy wrappings over the brute forms of the shopping mall and its car parks, and the ranks of un-villagey blocks of the "athletes' village", more dominating and assertive than most new housing has, in recent decades, dared to be. There is the black brick box of the critically acclaimed electrical substation by the architects Nord.

Most conspicuous is the stadium, now looking almost as it will be when the Games open. It has a simplicity rarely seen in modern arenas, which are usually engulfed in corporate facilities and conference suites. On the outside, it is a triangulated structure of big, black, steel struts, through which the underside of the concrete terraces can be seen. Inside, it is a simple bowl, albeit jazzed up by patterns of black-and-white seats based on the Olympic logo's "shattered" look. One reason for its directness is that it is designed so that the steel superstructure can be dismantled and put up somewhere else, leaving a smaller stadium just for athletics. This plan is now unlikely to go ahead: the most likely option seems to be to convert it to a football ground, with occasional athletic use.

Most convincing is the 6,000-seat velodrome, whose architects Hopkins and Partners say that they wanted the "tautness and energy" of race cycling to be realised in their building. Its roof, made of a net of cables and plywood panels, is crafted to keep materials and scaffolding to the minimum, allowing more of the budget to be spent on the detail. It also admits copious daylight and connects easily with the surrounding park. At its centre is the timber track, a marvellous sloping and curving thing, which inspired in me a (previously undetected) desire to watch cycle races.

It's plain that the architecture of the London Olympics will be less spectacular than that of Beijing – there will be nothing like the Bird's Nest stadium – but the spaces in between will be less bleak. There will be a park, rather than a vast apron of paving. 2012's values are delivery, efficiency and quality, uplifted by a public art programme and the architects who thrive best are those, like Hopkins, who make something positive out of the constraints. True, Anish Kapoor's big red Orbit sculpture, now under construction, strives to inject a steroidal boost of excitement, but it remains to be seen how successfully.

The Games site is well run – it has a good safety record, in contrast to the Beijing Olympics where the number of deaths were almost certainly more than the official figure of six. Many of its venues are ahead of schedule. It is also on budget, once you accept the audacious hike to £9.3bn from the original £2.4bn. Usually, clouds of bad press swirl around the Olympics, about escalating costs and time overruns. Similarly with British public construction projects like the Scottish Parliament. London 2012 might therefore have been doubly cursed, but it is proceeding with extraordinary serenity, a triumph of both project management and PR.

For the sake of posterity and future bidders for the Olympics, certain things can't be said too often: that it is insanely wasteful to spend this much money on a fortnight's fun, or that the Games usually depress rather than boost tourism in the host city. That supposed regeneration benefits only come about with the help of yet further funding. That things of value, like the gentle wilderness of allotments that once stood on this site, get destroyed.

But, barring unforeseen disasters, there is every reason to suppose London 2012 will be a success. Crowds will come and there will be the usual dramas and hyperbole. Such events generate their own momentum, and even the calamity-hit Delhi Commonwealth Games managed to leave behind a vague feelgood factor. I'll hazard a guess that most people in Britain will feel moderately pleased that the Games happened here. Whether it will be £9.3bn-worth of moderate pleasure is debatable, but by then few will mind any more. It will be a question for another city.

London Calling - Olympics Technology

-- Link to New Electronics article (http://www.newelectronics.co.uk/article/29553/Cover-Story-London-Calling---Olympics-Technology.aspx) --

As London prepares itself for the 2012 Games, a number of programmes have been set up to provide UK athletes with access to the latest in training technology. UK Sport, a Government body which invests around £100million a year in the World Class Performance Programme, supports 1400 athletes across 24 Olympic and 20 Paralympic sports.

Then there is the Elite Sport Performance Research in Training with Pervasive Sensing (ESPRIT) project, led by Imperial College London in partnership with UK Sport and supported by Queen Mary University of London and Loughborough University. Researchers from the three universities are working alongside British sports via UK Sport's Research and Innovation programme.

Not surprisingly, much of the research is clouded in secrecy, partly to give British athletes a competitive advantage, but also because the technology often draws from classified defence applications.

Dr Scott Drawer, UK Sport's head of research and innovation and co-chair of ESPRIT. explained: "We cover a wide range of development programmes, from equipment related solutions – bike design for example – through to measurement and sensor technologies. Many of the solutions are coaching tools, providing real time diagnostics."

UK Sport has a number of partners, including BAE Systems, which is providing £1.5million of its engineering time and access to more than 18,000 UK based engineers and scientists. UK Sport Technology Partnership project manager at BAE Systems, Owen Evans, explained: "In their normal day jobs, the designers would spend their time developing submarines, aircraft carriers or jet fighters. Under this partnership, they can turn their hands to leveraging technology and expertise from the defence sector and transfer it to the sports industry. The goal is to create performance enhancing equipment which will make people go faster and win medals."

One such device is a performance monitoring system installed by BAE at the Manchester Velodrome to give British cyclists an edge in training. The laser timing technology, derived from a battle space identification system, provides a new approach to monitoring cyclists. According to Evans, it improves on traditional photoelectric break beam systems which are unable to differentiate between individual athletes. Now, up to 30 cyclists can train simultaneously as the laser can read a personalised code from a retro reflective tag attached to each bike. Installed at multiple points around the track, the system gives individual recordings for each cyclist with what Evans describes as 'millisecond accuracy'.

Meanwhile, ESPRIT researchers have designed a range of miniaturised wearable and track side sensors, computer modelling tools and smart training devices to help improve British athletes' performance. The miniature wearable sensors monitor different aspects of athletes' physiological performance, in order to monitor and optimise training for competitive performance. The sensors include wireless wearable nodes to measure biochemical information, heart rate, EEG, ECG, muscle activity, joint speed and contact forces. Athletes can then use this information to understand how they are progressing with their training.
The team is also developing small track side sensors, for detailed monitoring of an athlete's body movements and location, and interactions between a team during training.

Dr Drawer observed: "Much of the research is really about fuel based diagnostics – not just evaluating how fast an athlete can go, but understanding the underlining physiology behind training. For example, non invasive sensors can track what's taking place in the blood, without the need to take blood. So many of the technologies can equally be transferred to the medical sector – and we're also looking at remote healthcare. Olympic level sports provide a good model to test and develop technologies which can move into society at a later stage."
One such sensor, developed at Imperial College London, is inspired by the semicircular canals of the inner ear responsible for controlling motion and balance.

Resembling a hearing aid, the sensor fits behind the ear and gathers large amounts of data about posture, step frequency, acceleration and response to shock waves travelling through the body as an athlete's feet hit the ground.
A miniature processor inside the earpiece collects data and transmits it wirelessly to a laptop so the athlete's performance can be monitored at the trackside in real time. This process allows a coach to detect problems such as incorrect posture at the start of a run, and rectify them.

The constant stream of real time information flowing from these sensors means medical staff could use the technology to monitor the elderly and people living with chronic diseases – like degenerative arthritis or Parkinson's disease –
without the patient needing to visit their doctor.

Many commercially available technologies to monitor athletes' performance are often large, unsuitable for use in the field or able to measure only one aspect of an athlete's or team's performance. Consequently, the data collected is not realistic enough for sports scientists and coaches to understand how athletes are performing in a training or competition environment.

To address this, the ESPRIT team is developing wireless 'pervasive' sensing technologies that extract continuous information under normal training and competition environments. This provides coaches with more accurate and regular feedback about their athlete's performance than is currently possible.
The researchers have also created prototype networks of miniature video camera sensors, called Vision Sensor Networks, which coaches can use to monitor an athlete's movements and assess their strategies while training.

"Inertial sensors can also be used on boats alongside gps sensors to record how fast an athlete is moving and what's happening with the joints," Drawer added. "The systems can also be used in canoeing, rowing, sailing and cycling. Another key training tool is a wind tunnel."

Wind tunnels have proved to be particularly successful for wheelchair athletes and BAE Systems has run a series of tests at Airbus' dedicated facility in Filton.
Shelly Woods, a Paralympic silver and bronze medallist in Beijing, and David Weir, a Paralympic Games multimedallist, recently spent a full day testing in the Airbus wind tunnel.

Computational fluid dynamics data gathered from the wind tunnel sessions were used by UK Sport to review the aerodynamic efficiency of the athletes' seating position in the chair to highlight the optimal racing position for different situations on the track.

The tests were the first phase of a project to help wheelchair athletes improve their performance with the support of technology. Another aspect of the project, which is set to run until 2011, will be to examine the overall design of the chair to see where improvements could be made. The assessment will encompass factors affecting performance, from the material the chair is made from, right down to the ease with which it can be stored, set up and maintained.

"The whole premise of getting athletes behind the wind tunnel is to try and reduce drag and is a major application in all sports where people are travelling very fast," explained Evans. "An athlete and a wheelchair has an effect on the aerodynamics, so we needed to make them as streamlined as possible. We were looking at the equipment they were using – at the chair itself – but most importantly, the athlete's positioning and movement, so we could quickly and easily do a large number of experiments and provide a very accurate model of the most streamline and efficient position to be in."

Sensors recorded force measurements and, from those readings, the most efficient position could be established. "In wind tunnels, data can be collected in real time so we can collate information quickly and do a large number of experiments."

The technology originates from BAE's Military Air Solutions (MAS) business unit at Woolton where all the UK's jet fighters are built. "Normally, we would have a section of wing, a nose cone or a tail and we'd conduct exactly the same kind of experiments to get the most aerodynamically streamline profile of the equipment."

According to Dr Drawer, development programmes for Paralympic athletes are plagued by restrictions, rules and regulations that have to be adhered to. "Many of the restrictions are based around ergonomics because disabilities vary tremendously," he said. "The key question is 'how do we make that wheelchair better for that particular athlete?'. The platforms we have developed are equally valid for other extreme environments, especially the sensors which have proved to be robust and reliable, so the technology is transferable."

Systems and engineering technology provider Frazer-Nash is also working with UK Sport to help wheelchair athletes improve their performance. Working alongside former Paralympian Dr Ian Thompson and Angle Consulting, the team has developed an instrumented wheel for measuring the power exerted when pushing a racing wheelchair.

The 'Powerwheel' measures the driving force put into the push rim by the athlete, then measures data using a load sensing element and transmits it wirelessly to a mini-computer. The data is interpreted, displayed and stored on the computer, enabling the athlete and coaches to analyse the information and build a profile of the push, showing how power and speed is developed.

For the project, strain gauge technology was attached to lightweight interface elements between the push rim and the wheel. The gauges were connected into a wireless transmission system and multiple locations were selected to derive the desirable athlete performance characteristics through the wheel push rim. To minimise technical risk and reduce development time cycles, Frazer-Nash used off the shelf electronic processing systems and the information could be live streamed and data logged, depending on the specific need of an athlete. The data could then be streamed to a wheelchair mounted minicomputer or directly to a pc or laptop.

Frazer-Nash also developed bespoke software packages to allow simple configuration, display and detailed analysis of the data.

Custom software designed by BAE has enabled the British Sailing team to make crucial assessments of local weather patterns and plan the fastest and most competitive route. The innovation, known as Project DRAKE, applies predictive mathematical modelling currently used in autonomous technologies to give access to data such as wind speed and wind direction.

Key to the technology, adds Evans, is its user friendliness; a lot of time was spent collaborating with the team to design an interface that provided a clear communication of weather patterns. "We knew we had to get the look and feel of the software just right. The DRAKE technologies were originally developed as part of a programme to create innovative command and control capabilities and apply them to a wide range of BAE Systems products including warships and unmanned air vehicles."

And beyond London 2012? Dr Drawer concluded: "Ultimately, we're driven by performance and giving athletes the best opportunity to be a success. Beyond that, these technologies will benefit society.

"High performance sport can play a massive role in developing a fundamental model for science, medicine and engineering. Athletes push themselves to the extreme, so it's an interesting model to base our development platform against."

'Astonishing' construction progress for London

-- Link to Australian Olympic Committee article (http://corporate.olympics.com.au/news.cfm?ArticleID=10924) --

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission for the London 2012 Games has concluded its seventh visit to the British capital, following three days of meetings with representatives of London 2012 and its partners.

With a little over a year and a half to go until the London Games, the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) remains on track as it transitions from planning to the operational phase of its preparations, with test events starting in earnest next year.

Bigger Picture
In addition to receiving updates on the progress made since its last visit in July, the Commission, led by Chairman Denis Oswald, visited a number of the venues, including Wembley Arena, Earls Court, Hadleigh Farm, the Royal Artillery Barracks and the new velodrome being built in the Olympic Park.

These visits allowed the Commission to witness firsthand the progress being made on the London 2012 project and its legacy.

“We can see the pieces of the puzzle falling into place now, and the big picture is rapidly becoming visible,” Oswald said.

“Preparations are advancing at an astonishing rate and LOCOG, the ODA, and their partners should be congratulated for the high quality of the work they are producing across this complex project. The continued support of the British government for the Games has also been key to the progress made since our last visit, and they should be thanked for the efforts that they have made in these challenging times. This underlines the British people’s strong connection to sport and to the Olympic Games in particular.”

London 2012 Organising Committee Chairman Sebastian Coe said: “We are entering a new phase of delivery, where we will be testing our plans right across the project on a range of sports events over the next 18 months. These testing opportunities are an important part of our journey to hosting a great Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.”

Client Perspectives
With the London Games drawing nearer, the Commission held a series of workshops aimed at examining London 2012’s plans from a client perspective to better understand what each group can expect to experience at Games time. The sessions looked at the plans from the perspectives of the athletes, spectators, International Federations, National Olympic Committees, media, the International Paralympic Committee, marketing partners, workforce, and others.

Technical meetings were also held on subjects ranging from communications and branding to technology and ceremonies. An unforgettable welcome awaits visitors to London in 2012 thanks to the innovative Look of the Games programme outlined by LOCOG and the Mayor of London’s office during the visit.

The Commission was impressed by how the programme would be rolled out across the city, and, while a lot of planning remains to be done, it was confident that this would greatly add to fans’ Olympic and Paralympic experience in 2012.

The Commission also received updates on the successful launch of both the London 2012 volunteer programme and ticketing prices in recent months, and welcomed LOCOG’s plans to ensure that families of athletes participating at the 2012 Games will be able to secure tickets to events featuring these athletes.

The Commission was also presented with London 2012’s matrix of test events for the months leading up to the Games. The test events are integral in the journey to preparing the services, operations, venues and related infrastructure, so that they are running smoothly by Games time. The events provide an important testing ground to ensure that pre-Games planning is workable and to allow improvements and changes to be made, where necessary, ahead of the Games.

Major Operation To Test 2012 Olympic Security

-- Link to Sky News article (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/2012-Olympics-In-London-Major-Security-Operation-Simulating-Terror-Attack-Or-Emergency-Incident/Article/201011415831065?lpos=UK_News_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_4&lid=ARTICLE_15831065_2012_Olympics_In_London%3A_Major_Security_Operation_Simulating_Terror_Attack_Or_Emergency_Incident) --

Security services are preparing to stage a major nationwide operation simulating a terrorist attack or emergency incident at the London 2012 Olympics. The exercise is part of a series of tests to evaluate Britain's security preparations for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Speaking at a conference in central London, Security Minister Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones outlined the plan to "run exercises to test our procedures in a range of scenarios including counter terrorism. The next six months will be crucial."

The first nationally co-ordinated simulated emergency will take place within the next year, with further similar exercises to follow. The operations mark a shift in Britain’s 2012 security strategy, which will move from the planning to the operational phase within the coming months.

While the plans evolve, the number one security priority remains the same - the threat of a terrorist attack. Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison said unless "there was an outbreak of World peace between now and the Games" the threat level will remain at 'severe'. However he said security bosses had to plan for the possibility of that level being raised to 'critical'.

Security chiefs were meeting at an annual conference at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in central London. While all agreed they were happy with preparations for London 2012 so far, they acknowledged more has to be done to tackle cyber threats. During the Beijing Games in 2008, the authorities had to fight off 12 million cyber attacks every day.

Baroness Neville-Jones admitted cyber attacks were one of the most serious threats to the Games, saying: "We…need to do more on cyber." However the concern was principally with regards ticketing fraud, rather than terrorism. There was also recognition of the current financial constraints, and the expense of securing an Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The current budget stands at £600m, but this figure is under review, and the revised budget will be published in the next few weeks. Baroness Neville-Jones said that while she was "in no doubt that efficiency savings can and should be made, we will not countenance unacceptable levels of risk and this will be reflected in the funding".

London 2012: Inside the Olympic Park (TheExpressOnline)

sHB29JOC7OQ

Delete (posted elsewhere)

i will be in london during this fantastic event

London 2012 Winter 2010 Update

kyu8eOQNkSk

another interesting feature on the bbc about the housing legacy
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11841962

[B][SIZE="3"]
http://www.london2012.com/images/olympic-park/greenway-markers.jpg
'Greenway markers', new public art on the Olympic Park boundary

Is this thing like some kinda Olympic monument? Interesting :)

xmAYrklIdN4

Sportsmail's Magnificent 7 access all areas at the 2012 Olympic Village: our golden hopefuls for in seventh heaven at the venue of their dreams

-- Link to Daily Mail article (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-1340539/EXCLUSIVE-Sportsmails-Magnificent-7-2012-Olympic-Village.html) --

Like any sightseer, he had his camera out. A Colgate smile lit up his face. 'Nice,' he purred slowly. 'It's pretty cool.' That was Tom Daley's reaction as he entered the aquatics centre being fashioned for the Games of the XXX Olympiad. No matter that the interior was a maze of scaffolding underneath the iconic shark-style roof. There, simply, were the diving boards he wants to own.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/12/21/article-1340539-0C8B07F2000005DC-238_964x641.jpg

Daley, a favourite for gold in 2012, was ushered up the wooden ladders and through the yellow doors to pose for my colleague Andy Hooper's wonderful photograph (below). A headstand for the artist's lens? 'Don't give him ideas,' said Daley with mock concern, posing instead on his feet with his arms outstretched. A crane was poised to his right, just where the water of the diving pool will wait for him, mirror-like, at his moment of truth.

This was the highlight of our privileged peak behind the diggers and cement-mixers at the Olympic site in East London. We were there to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Magnificent 7, the talented group of young athletes whose progress this newspaper is following up to 2012, and to bring a sense of the smell and feel of it all to our readers.

'A lot is made of the outside of this building,' said Daley, a 16-year-old Plymouth A-Level student and recently-crowned double Commonwealth champion, of the edifice designed by British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, 'but the whole centre is amazing.'

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/12/21/article-1340539-0C8B07F6000005DC-703_964x641.jpg

He was thinking mostly of the boards themselves. They are unlike anything anyone has seen before: modern sculpture produced, so I am reliably informed, by high-tech self-compacting concrete poured into glass-fibre reinforced moulds with a core of steel bars. 'They look like waves coming out of the floor,' added Daley. 'Seeing this today gives me the motivation to do the work I need to come back here and get a medal. But diving is an on-the-day sport.'

This was a chilly December morning but still the ripples of anticipation were palpable even to us non-competitors as we snaked our way by bus around a plot now employing its peak manpower of 1,000 workers. Much is already built - most of the grey and white seats, for example, are fitted inside the Olympic Stadium - but a great deal remains to be done. That is a reflection of the size of the project rather than a hint that any construction deadline will be missed.

A long dive away from Daley's balanced pose, we inspected the blue and white tiling in the swimming pool. We stood at the bottom of it, three metres down. Above us the ceiling timber of hardwood slats were barrel-gun straight to direct the backstrokers. 'Brilliant,' said Louise Watkin, the 18-year-old Paralympic silver medallist as she inspected the centre.

'I remember when London was awarded the Games in 2005 and I thought we don't need to worry about that for a while. It feels like yesterday. Now I know the Games will be here faster than we realise.' And when they are over, the pools will regularly be divided into smaller areas by booms that rise from the floor. The depth, too, can be altered.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/12/21/article-1340539-0C8AFEC4000005DC-619_964x520.jpg

Over at the velodrome, the steep track of Siberian pine - 43 degrees at the ends, reducing to 12deg at the sides - was hidden under wraps. The smell of the blue paint on the infield hung in the air. The challenge of designing the fastest track drew Ron Webb, an ace Australian designer, out of retirement. Geometry that allows maximum speed to be taken out of the turns and a high internal temperature are crucial. So is workmanship to the nearest two millimetres.

Shanaze Reade, the BMX world champion and a hot tip for gold in London, spent her last visit here posing on the undulating roof for one of our previous photo-shoots. 'The velodrome has come on so much since then and it was only six months back,' said the 22-year-old from Crewe. 'I want to compete on the track at London, as well as the BMX. The track comes first in the timetable, which is great because it gives me a good run through to the BMX event a week and a half later.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/12/21/article-1340539-0C8AF9D8000005DC-682_964x641.jpg

'If I can go to London and create a bit of history by winning two golds then that will be amazing. If I get a silver or a bronze and I've given my best then that's all I can do.'

The stadium is, of course, the heart of the whole carnival. It's an understated design and you feel it needs the participants to paint their magic on its canvas to bring it to life. One hoping to be there is Emily Pidgeon, a 21-year-old Loughborough University psychology student, who is splitting the final year of her degree course in two to help towards selection at 5,000 metres. She missed out on qualification for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October by seven seconds. Her Lottery funding was stopped the following month.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/12/21/article-1340539-0C8AF958000005DC-595_964x641.jpg

Despite it all, she is confident. 'It's going well with my new coach Andy Hobdell and I've set PBs throughout the year,' said the former European junior champion. 'I am injury-free and I am on target to make it.'

On to the media centre. It's still a shell of a building but will be buzzing with 20,000 journalists when the Games arrive. Around a table, I conducted the first interview there, with Louis Smith, Olympic bronze medal gymnast from the Beijing Olympics. He was moments away from catching a flight to Los Angeles for an adidas shoot alongside David Beckham. It was a heady assignment for a burgeoning 21-year-old who, it is said, not so long ago cast his eyes to his feet rather than meet your eyes in conversation.

Away from London, the two other members of our Magnificent Seven toiled at their dream. British Open judo champion Gemma Howell was winning a World Cup silver medal in Korea. Finn sailor Giles Scott was adding to his host of sailing medals in Australia at the end of a wonderful, breakthrough year.

What an experience the grand tour of Stratford was. And at the end of it Lord Coe, chairman of the Organising Committee, spoke of what awaits our starlets. 'In a couple of weeks, the Games will be next year and then it will be writ large,' he said. 'Before they know it, it will be January 2012 and then they will think in a completely different way. It will be an Olympic year. We are getting closer and closer.'

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/12/21/article-1340539-0C8B0632000005DC-583_964x641.jpg

London 2012: The key moments in the run-up to the Games

-- Link to Daily Telegraph article (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/london-olympics-business/8244239/London-2012-The-key-moments-in-the-run-up-to-the-Games.html) --

After five-and-a-half-years of preparation, 2011 is the year that the Olympic project will come together in front of the UK's eyes. As the last full year before the Games, it will see the completion of the main venues and the award of the most significant long-term commercial opportunities. Here are the issues that should dominate the agenda over the next 12 months.

Westfield Stratford City opens

The largest urban shopping centre in Europe is a gateway to the Olympic Park and will be the first major test of Stratford's infrastructure when it opens to the public in September. The development has been earmarked as the anchor of the ambitious legacy plans for the Olympic Park, and has already been successful in attracting business investment. A 50pc stake was sold in the shopping centre for £871.5m last year to the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Dutch investor Algemene Pensioen Groep, and the centre's shops are 75pc full, with John Lewis and Marks & Spencer anchor tenants. More news on lettings is expected before opening, with the Australian developer confident the scheme will open fully occupied. Westfield is also waiting to discover whether it has been successful in applying for a license to operate a casino at the site.

One year to go

The 12-month countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics is not just a symbolic moment for London 2012, but a key date in the construction schedule. The Olympic Delivery Authority has set a milestone of July 27, 2011, which if met means the key venues will by then be completed and ready to be handed over to the organising committee. So far, progress has been smooth and the construction of many of the sporting arenas is thought to be ahead of schedule. The first venue to be completed at the Olympic Park is expected to be the Velodrome this spring, with the Olympic Stadium in the summer, and the canoe slalom venue at Lee Valley White Water Centre opening for public use in April. Key construction landmarks will include the laying of the athletics track in the summer.

Future of Olympic Stadium confirmed

West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur are due by January 21 to submit their final bids to occupy the Olympic Stadium post-2012 in the latest stage of their battle for the stadium. The Olympic Park Legacy Company will meet a week later to identify a preferred bidder with a final announcement on the future of the stadium expected by March 31, when contract negotiations have been completed. The stadium's future is arguably the key to London's legacy proposals, and it has proved controversial. The latest twists include Karren Brady, the West Ham vice-chairman, accusing Tottenham of a "smash and grab" raid on the stadium, Tottenham hiring PR guru Mike Lee – who helped London win the 2012 Olympics – and Lord Coe expressing his backing for West Ham's desire to retain the athletics track.

Private sector deals for Olympic Village and media centres

The Olympic Stadium may be the most high profile component of the legacy plans for Stratford, but in many ways the village and media buildings represent the bread and butter. They are the test of whether homeowners and businesses can be attracted to the park. This year, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) plans to dispose of its stake in the athletes village to a private consortium, and official marketing will also begin in the search for an occupier for the press and broadcasting centres. The early signs are that these schemes are highly attractive propositions for the private sector. Nine consortia have been shortlisted for the Olympic Village, including major investors such as JP Morgan and the Wellcome Trust, and sovereign wealth funds such as Qatar Diar. They are being offered 1,439 private homes and the opportunity to develop up to 2,500 more. Final offers are due by the Spring and the ODA will then decide whether to proceed with a selected party, although Government approval will be needed.

Olympic tickets go on sale

In March, the 8.8m tickets for the Olympics go on sale. The demand for tickets will highlight Britain's appetite for the Olympics in challenging economic times. So far, more than 2m people have registered their interest in the tickets – which are a vital part of raising £2bn from the private sector to fund the Games – and Paul Deighton, chief executive of London 2012, says demand has been "mind-blowing".

just a heads up to you lot: 12pm tomorrow, 'countdown to london 2012', CNBC.

On your marks, get set for London 2012 - the greatest show on earth

Today the Standard begins the countdown to the greatest sporting show on earth: London's 2012 Olympics.
With just 567 days to go until the cauldron is lit above the main stadium in Stratford to herald the start of the 30th Olympic Games of the modern era, the sense of anticipation is mounting.
We are now on the final lap of a seven-year preparation. Organisers talk of a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Londoners. The city will host the equivalent of a world championships in 26 sports in little over two weeks. There will be 10,500 athletes from 205 nations competing in 650 sessions of sport.
The action will be beamed to a peak global TV audience of four billion and, with advances in mobile technology, London promises to be the best-connected Games ever.

Up to 250,000 spectators will pack the Olympic Park every day and 120 heads of state will attend the opening ceremony, the biggest gathering of VIPs London has ever seen. A month later, we will all be back for the Paralympics, the world's biggest disabled sports event.
In March the scramble begins for 8.8 million Olympic tickets.
Two million people have already signed up and prices will range from £20 right up to £2,012 for the best seat in the house at the opening ceremony on July 27.
The excitement will build as more than £1 billion-worth of world-class sporting venues are completed — on schedule — by the summer. Next month triple Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy will take the inaugural spin around the £100 million velodrome as it becomes the first of three signature venues — the others being the stadium and aquatics centre — to be finished.
Watching Ken Livingstone dancing till dawn at a harbourside restaurant in Singapore the night London won the Olympic bid five years ago, I could barely imagine being just months away from covering the big event.
Starting this week I will be writing a regular column, scrutinising London 2012 as it races towards the finish line. From the heroes to the hurdles, here are the crucial factors I'll be looking at...

The heroes
If our athletes peak at the right time, Team GB have every chance of hitting the target set for them of fourth place or better. Experts say the Brits can beat their 47-medal Beijing haul, it's just a matter of how many can be converted into golds.
The backbone of the team is expected to be in rowing (look out for Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins, Mark Hunter and Zac Purchase, double sculls), cycling (Sir Chris Hoy in three velodrome events), swimming (Rebecca Adlington and Gemma Spofforth) and sailing. There is also podium potential in hockey, canoeing, gymnastics, taekwondo and boxing. Athletics may at best bring a brace of British golds with Hackney triple jumper Phillips Idowu and heptathlete Jessica Ennis the likely contenders.
In the Paralympics, Team GB is targeting a fourth successive second place with the help of Croydon wheelchair athlete David Weir, swimmer Ellie Simmonds and Iraq war veteran Tel Byrne in the velodrome.

The competition
China romped home in Beijing with 51 golds ahead of second-placed America's 36. But their trajectory in the past two and a half years is difficult to follow, since they prefer not to participate in global contests which feed into medal table forecasts. Japan is forecast to win 11 more medals than in 2008 and Germany 13, which could see them leapfrog Britain into fourth place. Double Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt aims to break his own world records and 14-times Games medallist Michael Phelps is expected to dominate again in the pool.

The tickets
When the tickets, worth £500 million, go on sale, organisers will hope to avoid a website crash like that which blighted the Beijing Games, or a cyber attack. But the real crunch will not come until after the initial two-month sales phase when the allocations are made. Applications for oversubscribed events such as swimming, cycling and athletics finals will go into a ballot with a maximum of four to eight tickets per household.
The movers and shakers
As chair of the 3,000-strong organising team, Locog, Sebastian Coe has struck a formidable partnership with Paul Deighton, the chief executive who learned how to cope with pressure from his years at Goldman Sachs.
The Locog pair form a group of “four wise men” heading the 2012 project, the others being John Armitt and David Higgins who have kept the construction on track at the helm of the Olympic Delivery Authority.
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt can expect to lead the line of ministers at the numerous venue inaugurations this year.
Stella McCartney (Team GB kit designer), Stephen Fry (voiceovers) and David Beckham (Leytonstone local hero) will bring some stardust.

The building blocks
The 500-acre plot of land has been transformed from an industrial site to a fledgling green space the size of Hyde Park that will be inaugurated as the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park when it reopens after the Games. The aquatics centre by Zaha Hadid is the undisputed architectural highlight.
The main stadium, designed by the creator of Arsenal's Emirates stadium, Rod Sheard, consists of a lightweight structure to be partially dismantled after the Games. The £100 million velodrome has been likened to a giant Pringle crisp.

The connections
London's roads must cope with the demands of shuttling 15,000 athletes and officials, media and VIPs between 30-plus venues in guaranteed times. This can only be achieved with the imposition of lanes dedicated to official Games vehicles in the so-called Olympic Route Network.
For the general public London 2012 has been designated a car-free Games. There are two main routes to the heart of the action — a dedicated shuttle from St Pancras or trains to Stratford or West Ham stations.
The Fun and Games

An athletics-inspired film by Mike Leigh, music by Damon Albarn and an exhibition at the Royal Academy by David Hockey are among the highlights of the 12-week summer arts festival inspired by the Olympics.
The Cultural Olympiad has gained new focus and direction under Ruth MacKenzie, an experienced arts manager, and is expected to be a cultural showcase, rather than the sideshow it has been at some Games. It will start in June and end after the Paralympics in September.

The price tag
The £9.3 billion project has largely escaped the Coalition's spending cuts. In its latest quarterly report in November, the Olympic Delivery Authority estimated the final cost of the construction project to be £7.2 billion, with the remainder largely made up of security and a £1 billion contingency pot.
Further public cash has gone into preparing British athletes, with £311 million of Lottery and exchequer funds from UK Sport pumped in as Team GB fields its largest squad of up to 500 athletes, plus 300 Paralympians.

The people
Almost 80,000 unpaid helpers are needed. Hundreds of thousands have applied, but organisers will be alert to the nightmare scenario of volunteers walking off the job in their droves after a few days when the dream of being Usain Bolt's bag carrier turns into the unglamorous reality of 10-hour shifts in the coach park. McDonald's has been drafted in for its expertise in high-speed recruitment and to ensure Olympic service comes with a smile.

The security
The total bill for security could hit £1 billion after ministers agreed an extra £280 million to beef it up in and around the Olympic venues. The extra cash pays for airport-style screening of park visitors, perimeter fences, CCTV and patrol guards.
Security minister Pauline Neville-Jones also expects a large chunk of the Home Office's £1.1 billion anti-terror budget over the next two years to be absorbed by the Olympics.

The Olympic effect
London is expected to become the world's most popular business destination in the year leading up to the Games. Hospitality will be the big winner with 60,000 rooms in West End hotels block-booked for VIPs, and top restaurants already reserved.
Art galleries, museums and historic palaces will share in the £100 million business of “Olympic houses” established as the party base for visiting nations (the Russians are set to transform Marble Arch into a £5 million palace).
Around a million Londoners are expected to flock to Olympic fan parks in Victoria Park, Hyde Park and Potters Fields to watch action on giant screens. Hopes that Londoners will become more sporting hang in the balance with official participation figures flatlining before the Mayor's £15 million sports fund takes effect.

The legacy
The green shoots of the London 2012 legacy should begin to show in the Olympic Park this year as the multi-billion pound public assets go on the market. Either Spurs or West Ham are to be chosen as the new Olympic stadium owners this month.
Legacy chiefs are putting up for sale/to let signs outside the media centre, Anish Kapoor's Orbit Tower, the handball arena and the swimming pool. The £1 million-a-year maintenance costs could deter potential operators of the aquatic centre.

The gravy train
Expect a media witch hunt if there are rows of empty seats in the Olympic stadium where corporate ticket-holders have failed to turn up, as has happened in recent Games. Ticket recycling schemes and threats to give the seats away are in the pipeline.
There's also resistance to the 100-mile network of dedicated Olympic lanes and there have been calls for the 25,000 sponsors who gain access (as well as athletes, officials and media) to take the Tube instead. Around 120 heads of state are expected to attend the opening ceremony and the Foreign Office is under orders to keep their entourages to a minimum.

The finishing line
The so called “Big Build” has entered the home straight. Next month the velodrome will become the first Olympic Park venue completed with ribbon-cutting duties at the Olympic stadium, aquatics centre and handball arena set for early summer. Completion of the venues to schedule gives Games chiefs plenty of time to test them with behind-closed-doors invitation events to world championships, to identify any major snags before each venue is granted its operating licence.

The potential hurdles
In some order of seriousness: a major security scare, a boycott (increasingly rare since the end of the Cold War), a doping scandal, a strike on the Tube or a motorists' rebellion against road lanes reserved for Olympic traffic.
Follow me on twitter @matthewwbeard

from http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-olympics/article-23911908-on-your-marks-get-set-for-london-2012---the-greatest-show-on-earth.do

London 2012 Olympics: people power is crucial to delivering the greatest show on earth, says Sebastian Coe (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/8255341/London-2012-Olympics-people-power-is-crucial-to-delivering-the-greatest-show-on-earth-says-Sebastian-Coe.html)
By Sebastian Coe 7:30AM GMT 13 Jan 2011

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are coming to London next year. While this may be a great and heart-warming sound bite, it also means another upward shift in gear for the organising committee, and for our team of stakeholders who help us deliver this vast and complex project.

This year will be an extremely busy one for us. Our challenges can be neatly split into two key areas — readiness and participation.

Our first major challenge, and the focus of much of our work this year, is to get our organisation ready to operationally stage the greatest show on earth. The construction part of the programme is, in many cases, ahead of schedule, due in no small part to the Olympic Delivery Authority’s excellent project management.

Now we need to deliver our plans for more than 70 operational venues across the country for athletes, officials, media and broadcasters.

Over the next 18 months we have to build up from a team of 900 to one of 6,000 — employers, contractors and volunteers — to deliver these services. This year, we will test, test and test again, through exercises, events and simulations.

When the world’s greatest athletes grace our venues, everything needs to work perfectly, and we will not leave anything to chance. From the field of play, to transport and spectator services, we will plan for every scenario, and test all areas of our operation.

Our testing programme will bring some of the world’s best athletes to the UK. We will host world championships, international meets and British qualifying sessions.

In many cases the public will be invited to watch the sport and be part of the testing programme. In some cases, we will test without large numbers of spectators, but with the same focus and rigour.

We won’t get everything right first time — and the testing programme, which we will announce this year, is our chance to work out where we can improve. In the summer of 2012, my team have to be delivering gold-standard performance and service every minute of the day — the athletes must never be the victims of our shortcomings.

While we, and our partners, are working on the readiness challenge, the second challenge for this year involves you.

In the past five years, I’ve talked frequently about the importance of our stakeholders. This year, we are asking our most important stakeholder — the 60 million people in this country — to make sure they play a part in the greatest show on earth in 2012.

My team are working hard to make sure there are opportunities for everyone in this country to be part of the
Olympic Games. The most obvious way is to buy a ticket, and 6.6 million Olympic tickets will go on sale to the public from March.

A vast choice will be available at a range of prices, and after we publish the competition schedule next month, families will have a month or so to decide what they want to see, and how they can make the most of a great sporting day out. Make sure you sign up to www.tickets.london2012.com.

A further two million tickets to the Paralympic Games will go on sale in the autumn. The torch relay is another great way to be part of London 2012, and to celebrate the Games.

We will publish the route by the middle of the year. Our ambition is for the Olympic flame to reach every corner of the country and our route-planning process, which we are testing at the moment, will take it to within an hour of 95 per cent of the UK.

We will also begin our search for 8,000 runners — over half of them young people — who will carry the torch on its very special journey. I’ve been lucky enough to carry the Olympic flame twice, in Vancouver last year and in 2004 when the Athens flame came to London, and know how inspiring this privilege is.

Every day of every working week, my team are looking at creating more ways for the British public to feel part of the Games. We have created Festival 2012 — a 12-week event of art, dance, music and film, taking place across the country next year. Tickets will go on sale this autumn.

We are working hard with local authorities and partners around the country to promote our big screens, known as Live Sites, where large gatherings can take place to view and cheer on our athletes and celebrate the big moments of 2012 in squares and public places around the country.

Finally, this year, we will select up to 70,000 volunteers — Games Makers – from the 240,000 who have applied. Nearly a quarter of a million people are willing to give up 10 days, to work eight-hour shifts, with no payment, and probably not seeing any of the sport, simply to be part of 2012. This, for me, was the highlight of last year.

This nation is rising to the challenge of delivering the Games, the great British spirit of generosity and teamwork is alive and kicking.

The fact that so many of you are willing to help us deliver a great Games reminds me daily what a privilege it is to be part of this project, and how we must continue to work our socks off to make sure we deliver a summer like never before for everyone next year.

London 2012 Olympics road race route announced (http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/london-2012-olympics-road-race-route-announced-29209)
By BikeRadar UK
Road racing at the 2012 Olympics will begin and end on The Mall, in front of Buckingham Palace

Details have today emerged of the road race route for the 2012 London Olympics. The event looks set to end in spectacular style, with riders sprinting down The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.

Both the men's and women's races will also start at The Mall, with riders heading from there to the City of Westminster before crossing the River Thames at Putney. As expected, they'll then head to the undulating terrain of the Surrey Hills, south-west of the English capital.

There, they'll follow a figure-of-eight course, with a diversion around Box Hill which could provide a launching pad for breakaway attempts. The peloton will then return to central London via Richmond Park, crossing back over Putney Bridge before a final race through the streets of the city centre towards The Mall. The men will cover 265km, while the women will race over 140km.

http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/news/2011/02/08/1297172143911-2sgdm6x9164x-950-75.jpg

165 miles? :nuts:

quick question.... anyone in the area know about getting your house rented for the olympics? i was standing outside leyton orient ground the other day buyying tickets and got talking with a few people. someone mentioned that a friend has got his place rented out for the 2 weeks of the games for £1400 per week. it was a flat in stratford somewhere, by an Australian family. anyone else gonna do this? if so how would you do it.

Yeah there is a whole website about it somewhere. I heard one place, a 5 or 6 bedroom house in Greenwich being rented out whole for £140000 for three months!

Is it this one?
http://www.rentduringthegames.com/london-2012-olympics/

Yep! I do believe I've seen another one before though, so there may be a few depending on what area you live in, or what company people book through.

The 'Big Build' is nearly over, now comes the build-up to the big sell (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-olympics/article-23922468-the-big-build-is-nearly-over-now-comes-the-build-up-to-the-big-sell.do)
Matthew Beard, Sports News Correspondent Matthew Beard, Sports News Correspondent
11 Feb 2011

Termed by Olympic image-makers the "Big Build", the London 2012 construction programme is almost complete with topping out ceremonies just around the corner.

Now begins what can unofficially be described as the "Big Sell", a crucial 18-month phase when the British public will be asked to dig deep for Olympic tickets and merchandise with a combined value of more than £600million.

Next Tuesday marks the first big ticketing push as Games organiser, Locog, publishes the detailed schedule of 650 sessions of sport. Locog wants to give the British public time to digest this mass of information, the equivalent of a train timetable, before tickets go on sale a month later for an initial six weeks.

Many people will have no experience of buying tickets for a multi-sports event and Locog wants to give them plenty of time to ask themselves the key questions. Do I attempt to watch more than one sport a day? What can I afford to take the whole family to? Should I delay my summer holiday?

The full detail will be carried in newspapers and on the Games website, london2012.com, and Lord Coe will be thrust into the vanguard of a marketing campaign. For those who have noticed the poster campaign on public transport urging Londoners to register for tickets, you have seen nothing yet.

While demand for prestige Olympic finals will be impossible to satisfy, there is the tougher job of shifting tickets for the handball qualifiers or the early morning athletics heats. No Games organiser has completely sold out. In London there are 8.8million tickets worth £500million up for grabs.

Also gearing up is the sale of Olympic merchandise, against a target of £1billion.

Stores at St Pancras, Paddington and John Lewis Oxford Street sell anything from branded caps and rugby shirts to toy velodromes and metal fish and chip forks at £10.

To hit their target of £80million profit, Locog needs to sell an item worth £15 to 75 million people. Locog forecasts 90 per cent of sales will be made in the three months leading up to the Games.

These revenues are the last major hurdle in raising £2billion to cover the running of the Games. Already Locog has sealed £350million in broadcast rights; and £150million from global sponsorship deals and they are set to hit their £700million target this summer from selling UK-only marketing rights.

Are tickets available for the minor sports right up to the day or will they have to be bought in advance? Don't think I could committ that early due to work.

Olympic Park set for cycling, diving & BMX test events

Two of the most iconic venues at London's Olympic Park are set to open with high-profile test events in 2012.

The Velodrome is in line to stage a leg of the Track Cycling World Cup early in the year before the Aquatics Centre figures in the diving World Cup series.

The events should give cyclist Sir Chris Hoy and diver Tom Daley a taste of the venues in which they hope to compete for Great Britain at the Games.

The BMX circuit is to host part of the 2011 BMX Supercross World Cup.

According to British Cycling's website, this will take place on 19-20 August.

And it will provide world champion Shanaze Reade with a prime opportunity to experience her home course just less than a year before the Olympics.

Reade, 22, was hot favourite to win BMX gold at the 2008 Games in Beijing but crashed out in a dramatic women's final.

The 400m circuit will be located next to the Velodrome in the north of the Olympic Park.

The Velodrome itself will have a permanent capacity of 6,000 and a non-competitive event will be held there in the coming weeks to mark the completion of construction...

The London organising committee (Locog) plans to confirm the test event dates later in February.

Link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympic_games/london_2012/9397066.stm)

Are tickets available for the minor sports right up to the day or will they have to be bought in advance? Don't think I could committ that early due to work.

I guess it all depends on how quickly events sell. They'll sell them right up until the event if they've still got tickets.

Was reading through the 2012 website on my lunch hour at work. I am so excited considering it's still ages off, haha! Reading the schedule of events put me right in Olympic mode and I cannot wait to see what will be a certified top notch games. Even the thought alone of Phelps v Thorpe (hopefully) in THAT pool, probably be the biggest moment in swimming (I'd imagine, I'm not exactly a devote aquatic fan).

The venues look amazing (bar the actual stadium which I prey looks good once they've figured out how to dress it). The locations will be paramount to the acheivements and moments captured, set amongst our nation's most prestigious and historic scenes - I might have to go and watch that NBC London 2012 clip again, :|.

All Olympic buildings 'will be delivered on time' (http://www.building.co.uk/news/all-olympic-buildings-will-be-delivered-on-time/5013425.article)
16 February 2011
By David Matthews

NAO report says all projects will be delivered on time but timing for Aquatics Centre and parts of Athlete’s Village is “becoming tight”

All the building projects on the Olympic site are on time and almost four fifths of the construction work in preparation for the Games is now complete, according to a report released today by the National Audit Office.

The only concerns the NAO has raised is over the completion date for the Aquatics Centre and two of the 11 Athlete’s village plots, where timing is “becoming tight” for the handover to LOCOG, which will run the Games.

The report said: “Five of the 24 main projects being undertaken by the Olympic Delivery Authority have now been completed ready for handover, and on current projections, the remaining projects will be delivered on time. However, the timings on the Aquatics Centre and two elements of the Athletes’ Village are becoming tight for handover.”

The NAO said that as of December 2010 the Olympic Delivery Authority had completed 79.5% of its venues and infrastructure programme on time, fractionally below a target of 79.8%.

The main stadium is 2% under budget and on track to be finished in March, but the Aquatics centre is now 11% over budget and its end date has slipped from April to June.

The Media Centre is now due to come in at 10% under budget compared to its expected cost of £334m in December 2009.

The NAO could not give a definite bill for the Games as it said “the final cost of the Games is inherently uncertain.” However, it reported that of £2.7bn contingency the Games had started with, almost £1bn remained with 80% of construction complete and “all known areas of uncertainty resolved”.

Delivering London 2012 (http://www.london2012.com/press/media-releases/2011/02/delivering-london-2012.php)
17 Feb 2011

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), Populous, Atkins and Drivers Jonas Deloitte today issued new images showing what Greenwich Park for Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon, Lord's Cricket Ground for Archery and the Lee Valley White Water Centre for Canoe Slalom might look like at Games time.

The images were issued to show the work done to enable more than 120 world class temporary venues to be created for the more than 20,000 Olympic and Paralympic athletes and over 10m ticketed spectators to experience the events.

http://www.london2012.com/images/venues/artist-s-impression-of-lee-valley-white-water-centre-at-games-time.jpg

The London 2012 Games are unique for their innovative approach to the use of temporary and existing venues both on and off the Olympic Park. To achieve this and deliver a consistent look and experience for all participants, each of the venues requires detailed ‘overlay’ design, engineering and construction to stage the Games.

From Horse Guards Parade for Beach Volleyball, to Greenwich Park for Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon, London is being used as the stunning backdrop for events hosted in entirely temporary venues.

In addition, venues such as ExCeL London, Lord's Cricket Ground and the Lee Valley White Water Centre will be transformed to deliver the Olympic and Paralympic Games experience in existing venues.

Working together to create these sites, and under the direction of LOCOG, Populous, Atkins and Drivers Jonas Deloitte have developed all aspects of the venues from the look and feel, the user experience, the delivery of seating, accommodation and landscaping, as well as back of house requirements including power, water and lighting, together bringing an innovative approach to the delivery of London 2012.

In total, the overlay project for the London 2012 Olympic Games will include:

* 250,000 temporary seats
* 165,000 square metres of tents
* 2,500 cabins
* 140 kilometres of fencing
* 250 kilometres of crowd barriers


James Bulley, LOCOG Director of Venues and Infrastructure, said: 'The London 2012 Games will deliver what no other Games has before in terms of the complexity and scale of the event overlay and temporary structures needed. Alongside the absolute commitment to meet the Games requirements, central to our plans have been legacy, sustainability, accessibility and safety.

'Our vision for the London 2012 venues is the integration with London's historic and iconic landmarks alongside our existing world class stadiums and sporting arenas. Our combined overlay team are world class and will deliver the technical excellence required to make this a spectacular Games.'

Jeff Keas, Principal of Populous, said: 'Sport is at the core of the overlay project, but more than that, we have focused on London as the backdrop. This means ensuring wherever we can that either the historic buildings at venues like Greenwich Park or Lord’s, or the iconic London skyline, remain in sight for spectators whilst creating an intimate atmosphere for the athletes.

'Together with LOCOG and our partners, we want to ensure the overlay facilities are more than functional, that they help to leave a lasting impression on how people experience and perceive the London 2012 Games.'

Steve Cardwell, Atkins Director and Design Manager, said: 'The unique approach taken towards temporary venues for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games has presented fantastic opportunities to think differently about the delivery of major sporting venues. As a result we have in essence had to go back to first principles, and are proud of the innovative, light touch, and sustainable solutions we have developed with our partners.'

Stephen Jepson, Director in Drivers Jonas Deloitte’s Sport team, said: 'The venues we are project managing at Greenwich Park, Horse Guards Parade, the Mall and Hyde Park are entirely temporary and present an exciting challenge. We have spent a great deal of time understanding the site constraints and making sure the way in which each venue is delivered is done sensitively and ensures there is no long term impact. This gives us the confidence that it will be delivered - after all we can't change the delivery deadline.'

It's difficult to find the photos on the London 2012 site (oddly!), but the Beeb are hosting some:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12473037

I see the colour theme for the games is purple.

I see the colour theme for the games is purple.

That's merely stand in for the designs that are yet to be decided to be put where on the venues. All of that will be decorated with the Olympic rings and brand elements come 2012.

That's merely stand in for the designs that are yet to be decided to be put where on the venues. All of that will be decorated with the Olympic rings and brand elements come 2012.

Shame....I quite like that purple!

Symbolic Olympic rings around capital

Away from the Stratford building site, there is scant visible evidence around London that in less than 18 months the Olympics will be here.
The few exceptions are the BT Tower's electronic countdown display, a London Transport ticketing poster campaign and the occasional flash of an Olympic logo on a taxi.
But next month the volume will be pumped up with the first of a series of spectaculars.
Giant Olympic rings will be suspended from Tower Bridge and will also eventually adorn the London Eye and St Pancras station, terminus for the Olympic Park "Javelin" shuttle service. London's tallest building, the Shard of Glass, will also be crowned with the rings and there are plans for one of its 72 storeys to light up each time the home nation wins a medal.
On March 15, to mark 500 days to the Games and the start of ticket sales, a giant countdown clock will be installed in Trafalgar Square, courtesy of Olympic timekeeper Omega. And on New Year's Eve a Games-themed firework display will herald the start of Olympic year.
Next spring will see the "dressing" of the capital's main roads, airports and railway stations. Early drafts of the colour scheme were rejected by Mayor Boris Johnson who demanded patriotic red, white and blue instead of what he called "vomit and vermillion".

Boris is demanding a lot of things at the moment. Doesn't mean they'll all happen though.

Giant rings hanging from Tower Bridge. Oh my Lord, have we abandonded all sense of taste?

Giant rings hanging from Tower Bridge. Oh my Lord, have we abandonded all sense of taste?

Why? Sydney did the same on their landmarks during the Games.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Sydney_Olympic_Fireworks.jpg

Giant rings hanging from Tower Bridge. Oh my Lord, have we abandonded all sense of taste?

And you think a giant opening mock gothic bridge is?

It is actually quite clever in that Tower Bridge symbolises the gateway to the East and the window like portal to the East will look dramatic with the rings.

and like the giant Victorian nutcase it hangs from, it is a bit of fun!

Now a giant kitten playing with the rings, thats another thing..

I hope we find a way of representing the olympics accross London that is stylish and classy. Covering everything in giant coloured plastic rings would be awful. So would those tacky projector things that project images onto the clouds.

I think it would be better to be understated as far as possible with all the OTT stuff confined to Stratford. I saw a nice sculpture of an athlete in front of the olympic cauldron out of wood. Maybe something like that. A couple of those dotted around would do the trick.

this may sound like a weird question but are they going to do anything with the Thames?

Like, for example, cleaning the streets, are they not going to clean the thames? Because on a sunny day the river is reflected as blue, but what about if it turns cloudy? The river will turn into its horrible brown/greyish colour, and that will look horrible in some shots imo

A weird question i know, but Beijing did this sort of thing with the weather, so are we not going to do anything like that?

The Thames is actually a lot cleaner than it was. The main problem is, in heavy rain, the water companies are quite legally allowed to pump raw sewage into the river.

The Thames is brown because it's tidal not because it's dirty (it's very clean compared to most urban rivers and won an international award a few months ago).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11527386

Nothing much you can do about the colour.

yes that always makes me laugh. People really think that the Thames is brown because of sewage and industrial waste, it would stink not just look brown! Although shockingly raw sewage still seeps in from time to time during heavy rainfall which wont be fixed for a few more years.

Fill a bottle with Thames water wait for 5 minutes while the riverbed mud settles and it is crystal clear and apparantly drinkable (just dont do after a heavy rainfall!).

Loads of interesting bits in this short and confusing article!!

Symbolic rings around capital to signal Games are on the way

Away from the Stratford building site, there is scant visible evidence around London that in less than 18 months the Olympics will be here.

The few exceptions are the BT Tower's electronic countdown display, a London Transport ticketing poster campaign and the occasional flash of an Olympic logo on a taxi.

But next month the volume will be pumped up with the first of a series of spectaculars.

Giant Olympic rings will be suspended from Tower Bridge and will also eventually adorn the London Eye and St Pancras station, terminus for the Olympic Park "Javelin" shuttle service. London's tallest building, the Shard of Glass, will also be crowned with the rings and there are plans for one of its 72 storeys to light up each time the home nation wins a medal.

On March 15, to mark 500 days to the Games and the start of ticket sales, a giant countdown clock will be installed in Trafalgar Square, courtesy of Olympic timekeeper Omega. And on New Year's Eve a Games-themed firework display will herald the start of Olympic year.

Next spring will see the "dressing" of the capital's main roads, airports and railway stations. Early drafts of the colour scheme were rejected by Mayor Boris Johnson who demanded patriotic red, white and blue instead of what he called "vomit and vermillion".

Public services are being squeezed, but next summer will offer a window on the world like no other. There will be £30million in the Olympic budget to give streets a facelift, while the Mayor has offered each borough £50,000 spruce-up grants.

He also wants Seb Coe's Games organising committee to buck tradition and locate the Olympic cauldron not on the roof of the main stadium but atop the neighbouring Orbit Tower, Anish Kapoor's 115-metre structure.

Meanwhile, consumer champion Which? has attacked as "outrageous and discriminatory" the monopoly deal which dictates that Olympic tickets can only be bought using the official payment card, Visa.

The Office of Fair Trading and the European Commission are looking at the arrangement.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-olympics/article-23924578-symbolic-rings-around-capital-to-signal-games-are-on-the-way.do

--------------------------------------------------------------------

So, exciting news about landmarks being decorated with giant Olympic rings, Boris has made a decision which will mean the branding will be inconsistent in the street decorations by the sound of it, the news about the Orbit seems to have been proved wrong by the announcement of Heatherwick as the cauldron architect today, and a good thing that VISA's monopoly is being looked into....

Discuss! :lol:

I think it would be better to be understated as far as possible with all the OTT stuff confined to Stratford. I saw a nice sculpture of an athlete in front of the olympic cauldron out of wood.

Olympic cauldron made out of wood, you must see how that cannot be a good thing! :lol:

Boris is sounding more like a lunatic dictator by the day!

London's tallest building, the Shard of Glass, will also be crowned with the rings

Very exciting!

I've been on 5 London Hotel websites so far looking for rooms on the night of the Opening ceremony.... everywhere is sold out.

Olympics: London 2012 to have strawberries and cream factor (http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/house-and-home/olympics-london-2012-to-have-strawberries-and-cream-factor-2220549.html)
Sunday, 20 February 2011

The London 2012 Olympics will have the feel of an English summer event, organisers said Thursday, bringing the strawberries and cream flavour and the open-air festival spirit to the Games.

The team designing the venues said the atmosphere of unmistakeably British classic sports events like the Wimbledon tennis championships and the Royal Ascot races had been ingrained into their designs.

They want to replicate the English summer culture, when people revel in the chance to enjoy warm weather, long evenings and an outdoor garden party.

The organising committee of the July 27-August 12 Games have also tried to show off the best of the city in their venue design, using the capital's iconic landmarks as a backdrop to competition sites outside the main Olympic Park in east London.

Venues and infrastructure director James Bulley told AFP that the Englishness factor would be a key part of forging a successful Games.

"If you look at some of our annual events running through the summer, whether it's Ascot, the Henley rowing regatta or Wimbledon, they all have a real Britishness about them," he said.

"We're trying to capture that in the designs, the feel and the look and the way in which we'll be able to enable our spectators to enjoy the experience.

"We'll enable that open-air, al fresco, picnicking feel for our spectators to really enjoy the space - and watch the sport, of course."

The LOCOG designers looked at events such as the 1951 Festival of Britain, its delight in post-war innovation and the legacy of buildings it left for London.

They also studied the English love of parks and gardens, the street parties that break out for major national events, and the sheer fun of enjoying the precious summer months.

"This is the scene we want to set," said London 2012 venue designer John Barrow, a senior principal with architects Populous.

His team examined Sydney 2000 and Barcelona 1992 to see what made a successful Olympics.

"So when it came to London, the team said: 'What is quintessentially London, what is quintessentially English?' That's the sort of experience we're trying to drive through," he told AFP.

"It's actually a very simple model. It's park, garden, enjoyment, relaxation.

"All of those things speak to having a lot more fun in the Olympics," he said, otherwise "it won't have that fizz".

The designers have come up with several horseshoe-shaped venues to capitalise on views of London landmarks.

They include the beach volleyball arena in the historic Horse Guards Parade ground and the equestrian centre at Greenwich Park, which open up onto a view of the Royal Naval College and the Canary Wharf business district towers.

"We've chosen fantastic, superb locations in London, we want to showcase them," Bulley said.

"As the broadcast images go out around the world to our four billion viewers, they'll know this is very much a London Games."

Well it kind of makes sense, though the East end isn’t renowned for its strawberries and cream.

Well it kind of makes sense, though the East end isn’t renowned for its strawberries and cream.
The "quintessential english entertainment event" that I associate with the East end is a deafeningly loud, punk-filled squatted warehouse pumping out acid techno at 6am :) I'm sure the planners will be incorporating a flavour of this local culture into their plans.

Evening Standard geographical numpties:


Green space: Park and wetlands south of the Olympic stadium

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23925254-landmarks-of-2012-olympics-revealed-from-the-air.do

North, idiots!

Evening Standard geographical numpties:


Green space: Park and wetlands south of the Olympic stadium

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23925254-landmarks-of-2012-olympics-revealed-from-the-air.do

North, idiots!

http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2011/02/OlympicVillage415.jpg

I don't mean to offend, but the velodrome looks fucking beautiful! :banana:

There was an extremely positive and uplifting article about the Velodrome in The Culture section of the Sunday Times yesterday, with a photo of a view I hadn't seen before showing the lovely landscaping around the building. Behind Murdoch's pay wall unfortunately.

I have a copy of it here, i can try and scan it in tomorrow from work?

Well it kind of makes sense, though the East end isn’t renowned for its strawberries and cream.

Maybe they could serve up ganja and rum as an alternative picnic combo?

The aerial imagery in Google Earth has been updated to show the construction of the Olympic Park. The images were taken around the 27th June 2010.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x11/MartinLeRoy/Stadium.jpg

Good spot!

The aerial imagery in Google Earth has been updated to show the construction of the Olympic Park. The images were taken around the 27th June 2010.



Looks like they've done a fair chunk of London. Wembley Stadium is fianally shown in it's completed form and the patchwork of photos that was Heathrow is now a single image (except for the south runway and T4 for some reason). It will be interesting to see if they do another update in 2012 before the opening.

Looks like they've done a fair chunk of London. Wembley Stadium is fianally shown in it's completed form and the patchwork of photos that was Heathrow is now a single image (except for the south runway and T4 for some reason). It will be interesting to see if they do another update in 2012 before the opening.

For the last 4 years whenever I went on google earth Wembley was always the first thing I checked to see if London had been updated.... glad to hear it has.

Looks like they've done a fair chunk of London. Wembley Stadium is fianally shown in it's completed form and the patchwork of photos that was Heathrow is now a single image (except for the south runway and T4 for some reason). It will be interesting to see if they do another update in 2012 before the opening.

they've updated the shard as well :)

How many venues have Populous the architects designed? I know that the firm has designed a majority of the venues for the 2012 Olympics. I doubt that they are going to designed anything for Rio's 2016 Olympics.

Mainly the temporary seating for the landmark venues and the main stadium.

^^In list form, specifically (that goes for existing venues as well)?

Loads of interesting bits in this short and confusing article!!

Symbolic rings around capital to signal Games are on the way

Away from the Stratford building site, there is scant visible evidence around London that in less than 18 months the Olympics will be here.

The few exceptions are the BT Tower's electronic countdown display, a London Transport ticketing poster campaign and the occasional flash of an Olympic logo on a taxi.

But next month the volume will be pumped up with the first of a series of spectaculars.

Giant Olympic rings will be suspended from Tower Bridge and will also eventually adorn the London Eye and St Pancras station, terminus for the Olympic Park "Javelin" shuttle service. London's tallest building, the Shard of Glass, will also be crowned with the rings and there are plans for one of its 72 storeys to light up each time the home nation wins a medal.


Well, here's confirmation:

The first set of Olympic Rings, the symbol of the Olympic Games, will be unveiled this week at London’s St Pancras Station, 18 months ahead of the opening of the London Olympics 2012.

The five multicoloured, interlinked, aluminium rings, will be suspended in front of the clock at the end of the platforms at St Pancras. Measuring 70 foot wide and 30 foot high in total, they will remain hanging in the station until the games are over.

St Pancras was selected as the site for the first unveiling for the red, yellow, black, blue and green rings, because as one of London’s it is the station from which many visitors to the Olympic Park will set out on their journey.

The unveiling will take place on Thursday with key figures present including London’s Mayor Boris Johnson and Chairman of the Locog, Lord Coe.

http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/olympic-fever-hits-britain/

I'm guessing they will be here, does this mean the clock will be in the black ring?
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ONal_hJsPR8/TEdbUT1l_QI/AAAAAAAACq4/3dWUJPVevbI/s1600/st-pancras-station-platform.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FA33HyKQMVs/TS4MeJuVDHI/AAAAAAAADwk/GF1jT7db_3E/s1600/800px-Olympic_Rings.svg.png

I hope that will be the black ring, would look great I think.

The five multicoloured, interlinked, aluminium rings, will be suspended in front of the clock at the end of the platforms at St Pancras. Measuring 70 foot wide and 30 foot high in total, they will remain hanging in the station until the games are over.

A quick google reveals that the clock is 18ft in diameter. Scaling up the rings logo to 18ft diameter makes it about......... 70ft wide and 30ft high :)

BBC's New Comedy: Twenty Twelve

NeVcz6bi90Y

Lots more clips here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00yw1t9

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/185921_10150103842127665_674457664_6610102_4048446_n.jpg

RE vid

Looks great, like 2012 come thick of it. Do we know if it was the same writers? I can't see how this will harm 2012, it's more a piss take of the workings of any company, not just 2012. Didn't they have something similar in Australia coming up to 2000?

Yep they did indeed, The Games...from the late 90s:

YjnM4NS2w1E

And Beijing had The 2008 Orympics (our grolious and frawress plepalations) broadcast weekly.

The British Olympic Association does not currently have enough money to fund the GB team at the 2012 London Olympics, BBC Sport understands.
An emergency meeting was held last week at which BOA board members were informed about the situation.
The BOA will support about 550 athletes and 450 support staff in London, providing training advice, medical assistance and a holding camp.
"We've still got a gap to close," BOA chief Andy Hunt told BBC Sport.
"I'm absolutely certain we will have a full team at the Games and the money will not affect that.
"The level to which we can support the team is where the challenge comes."
Funding for the BOA comes entirely from commercial sponsorship and fundraising, as it does not receive any money from the government.
The cost of the BOA's responsibilities, which will include the Team GB holding camp in Loughborough, is expected to be well in excess of £5m - and there is a shortfall of several million.

The judgement about the success of the Games is not going to be about the buildings and ceremonies
BOA chief Andy Hunt
Hunt said the success of the 2012 Games would be largely judged on the success of the Great Britain team.
"The work we need to do, to make sure we meet the aspirations of the British people, is an immense task," he said.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympic_games/london_2012/9412054.stm

Pic of the rings (covered until this evening)

http://twitpic.com/45mjvb

http://www.london2012.com/images/editorial/giant-olympic-rings-at-st-pancras-seb-and-boris-460x250.jpg

http://www.london2012.com/news/2011/03/first-giant-olympic-rings-unveiled-in-london.php

BBC Video (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12635821) of the unveiling.

The rings looks great. They're solid, but they seem to glow in the evening darkness and are the right size to be really noticeable yet not detract from the station. I even like the back, which is silver and is a nice contrast when you look down the platforms.

I reckon they'll become part of the background of the station so much that when they are removed in eighteen months people will really miss them (bit like when you take Christmas decorations down, makes everything look bare for a while!)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5220/5495487348_d4bbc2451d_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5293/5495494214_deb3a614c6_b.jpg

quick question.... anyone in the area know about getting your house rented for the olympics? i was standing outside leyton orient ground the other day buyying tickets and got talking with a few people. someone mentioned that a friend has got his place rented out for the 2 weeks of the games for £1400 per week. it was a flat in stratford somewhere, by an Australian family. anyone else gonna do this? if so how would you do it.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23928746-pound-10000-a-week-to-rent-a-home-for-the-olympics.do


£10,000 a week to rent a London home for the Olympics
Jonathan Prynn, Consumer Business Editor Jonathan Prynn, Consumer Business Editor
4 Mar 2011

Homeowners in south-east London are demanding up to £10,000 a week in rent for their houses during next summer's Olympics.

The rents being asked - four times higher than normal - are the first signs of the expected accommodation gold rush near the main Games venues.

The most expensive "Olympics-only" property offered for rent so far is a five-bedroom house in Blackheath billed as "perfect" for corporate hospitality and "a minute away" from the entrance to Greenwich Park, where the equestrian events are taking place.

The owners want £10,850 a week, the sort of rate usually associated only with property in Chelsea or Kensington.

At the other end of the scale, the owner of a one-bedroom flat in Greenwich is asking for £1,692 a week, considerably more than it could usually command in a month. Average rents in Greenwich are £1,229 a month.

At estate agent River Habitat, which has about 60 "Olympic landlords" on its books, finance director Julian Jarvis said enquiries from potential tenants have doubled over the past month.

"A few travel agents representing particular clients are now looking seriously. One represents the Olympic committee of a certain country. Swiss authorities say they need at least 60 rooms. And the representative of a big media organisation is looking primarily in Limehouse and Wapping."

Most owners are looking for tenants for at least a month, meaning some could earn close to £50,000. Blackheath is proving particularly popular.

"If you are coming from somewhere like Austria you are used to open spaces so somewhere like Blackheath is appealing," said Mr Jarvis.

Nigel Lewis, property analyst at the FindaProperty website, said:"We've talked about the Olympics effect for a long time in the property world but we're finally seeing hard evidence.

"Rental prices in Barcelona and Sydney spiked when those cities hosted the Games, and Wimbledon sees rent hikes of around 400 to 500 per cent during the tennis championship."

Although most evident in the east of the capital, the Olympics effect is starting to be felt more widely. Finance worker Edith Turay, 32, said she planned to double the rent for a room in her house in Hayes, 15 minutes from Heathrow, to £200 a week.

I live in Blackheath, thats where all the insane rents rates are for the Olympics. It's the Hampstead heath of the south.

These have nothing to do with the new BBC series btw:

htPB-vz8MuQ

osmfAIn56Xk

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23928746-pound-10000-a-week-to-rent-a-home-for-the-olympics.do


£10,000 a week to rent a London home for the Olympics
Jonathan Prynn, Consumer Business Editor Jonathan Prynn, Consumer Business Editor
4 Mar 2011

Homeowners in south-east London are demanding up to £10,000 a week in rent for their houses during next summer's Olympics.

The rents being asked - four times higher than normal - are the first signs of the expected accommodation gold rush near the main Games venues.

The most expensive "Olympics-only" property offered for rent so far is a five-bedroom house in Blackheath billed as "perfect" for corporate hospitality and "a minute away" from the entrance to Greenwich Park, where the equestrian events are taking place.

The owners want £10,850 a week, the sort of rate usually associated only with property in Chelsea or Kensington.

At the other end of the scale, the owner of a one-bedroom flat in Greenwich is asking for £1,692 a week, considerably more than it could usually command in a month. Average rents in Greenwich are £1,229 a month.

At estate agent River Habitat, which has about 60 "Olympic landlords" on its books, finance director Julian Jarvis said enquiries from potential tenants have doubled over the past month.

"A few travel agents representing particular clients are now looking seriously. One represents the Olympic committee of a certain country. Swiss authorities say they need at least 60 rooms. And the representative of a big media organisation is looking primarily in Limehouse and Wapping."

Most owners are looking for tenants for at least a month, meaning some could earn close to £50,000. Blackheath is proving particularly popular.

"If you are coming from somewhere like Austria you are used to open spaces so somewhere like Blackheath is appealing," said Mr Jarvis.

Nigel Lewis, property analyst at the FindaProperty website, said:"We've talked about the Olympics effect for a long time in the property world but we're finally seeing hard evidence.

"Rental prices in Barcelona and Sydney spiked when those cities hosted the Games, and Wimbledon sees rent hikes of around 400 to 500 per cent during the tennis championship."

Although most evident in the east of the capital, the Olympics effect is starting to be felt more widely. Finance worker Edith Turay, 32, said she planned to double the rent for a room in her house in Hayes, 15 minutes from Heathrow, to £200 a week.

thanks for that, its a great opportunity for people to make some money from the games. my parents are should be renting during the games and are actually trying to get a three month contract from a thai tv channel. no idea at what rate they should be at the moment though. we have 2 properties next to each other and might have to rent both of them out now and go live above our restaurant which is still in leyton as well. might have to get one of these Olympic estate agents to have a valuation.

anyone else looking to do they same? if so, have you done anything to get the ball rolling yet?

Does anyone know whether there is any information floating about on the number of seats in each pricing category for the different events or the approximate loations of the different pricing categories?

British PM: Iran won't be missed from our Olympics

BRITISH Prime Minister David Cameron has told Iran's Olympic team they 'won't be missed' if they decide to boycott the London 2012 Olympics.

Last month officials from the Iranian national Olympic committee wrote to their International Olympic Committee demanding the London 2012 logo be scrapped because it spelled out Zion and was 'racist'.

Iran refuses to recognise the state of Israel and its competitors often withdraw from competitions when drawn against their athletes.

London 2012 and IOC officials were quick to dismiss Tehran's concerns and Cameron is clearly not in the mood for diplomatic language.

He told the Jewish News: "It's completely paranoid. If the Iranians don't want to come, don't come - we won't miss you."

Cameron also expressed his disappointment at the Iranian policy of avoiding competing against Israeli athletes.

At the Athens Olympics, Iranian Arash Miresmaeili, a two-time world judo champion, refused to compete against Israel's Ehud Vaks in the opening round of Olympic judo competition by deliberately missing his weight allowance by a massive two kilograms.

The Iranian Government - who have no diplomatic links to Israel and denies its right to exist - duly gave him £76,000 and a ticket to Mecca.

At the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, Iran's wheelchair basketball team forfeited their game against the United States and withdrew from the competition, avoiding a possible match against Israel in the next stage.

And at last year's Youth Olympic Games, Iranian team officials withdrew from his taekwondo final - because he was due to take on Israel's Gil Haimovitz.

"They can't come if they're going to behave like that," added Cameron.

"You shouldn't have that approach to sport. If you were going to come to the Olympic Games, you take part against everybody and if you're going to behave like that you're not welcome."

http://www.morethanthegames.co.uk/london-2012/1014108-london-2012-british-pm-iran-wont-be-missed-our-olympics

Iran sucks and Israel is always in trouble. Iran is also in trouble, because there haven't been any significant Olympic boycotts since 1984 and they (Iran) refuse to recognise the state of Israel. All because the logo looks like it spells out the word "Zion".

...if you squint, turn your head 90 degrees and take a large dose of idiot pills.

London Olympics: Cameron says Iran would not be missed

The logo, here with 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe, has until now been criticised only for its design Continue reading the main story

IOC dismisses 'racist' logo claim.

Iranians "would not be missed" if they decided to boycott the London Olympics, David Cameron is reported as saying.

Last week, Iran threatened to stay away over claims the 2012 logo was racist as it resembled the word "Zion", a biblical term for Israel.

The prime minister told London-based paper Jewish News: "It's completely paranoid. If the Iranians don't want to come, don't come - we won't miss you.

"It would be a crazy reason for not coming," he said.

The London logo shows the numbers "2012" in four jagged figures and until now has only been criticised for its design.

'Embrace the spirit'

Iranian Olympic officals sent a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) highlighting the perceived link.

But IOC president Jacques Rogge dismissed the claims and said he would "quietly" reply saying the logo "has nothing to do with racism or any political connotation".


In the interview with the newspaper, Mr Cameron also warned that athletes unwilling to compete against Israelis in 2012 would not be welcome.

"They can't come if they're going to behave like that," he said.

"You shouldn't have that approach to sport. If you were going to come to the Olympic Games, you take part against everybody and if you're going to behave like that you're not welcome."

A Downing Street spokesman later said: "Any country participating in the 2012 Games will be welcomed, but it is absolutely essential that they embrace the spirit of the Games."

Iran won a gold and bronze at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing to finish 51st in the medals table.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12707810

All because the logo looks like it spells out the word "Zion".

Well, the logo spells out 2012, which if you rearrange and squint could possibly be similar to the shape of ZION.

I think that's what the Iranians fail to realise.

Odd that they are complaining about the logo, have they heard the hymn Jerusalem? Pretty much says that we want to build a new Jerusalem/Zion in "England's green and pleasant land", they've had decades to complain about that ;-)

The Olympic movement breathes a sigh of relief...

Games 'logo' protest not to deter Iran

-- Link to Press TV article -- (http://www.presstv.ir/detail/169544.html)

Iran insists it would take part in London 2012 Olympics Games as glorious as ever, while it maintains its opposition to the racist logo of the games.

The Islamic Republic's insistence on its participation came after British Prime Minister David Cameron intentionally made a non-diplomatic, disrespectful comment to implicate Iran into a quick reaction scenario and force the Islamic Republic's officials to boycott the London games in line with his country's hostile policies towards Iran.

In yet another sign that he is resigned to supporting the Zionists whatsoever, David Cameron made an unwelcome interference in a sports issue, telling Iran “they would not be missed if they boycott the Olympics because they object to the Games logo”.

"It's completely paranoid. If the Iranians don't want to come, don't come - we won't miss you", the Prime Minister told the Jewish News.

Last month, Iran wrote to the International Olympics Committee complaining that the London 2012 logo spelled out the word “Zion” and it was racist, demanding it be scrapped.

Mohammad Aliabadi, head of Iran's National Olympic Committee, accused the British Olympic organizers of "racism" in a letter to International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge.

The emblem, which features jagged shapes representing the numbers 2012, has been criticized in the past for its design, which organizers say is modern and intended to catch the attention of the younger generation.

"The use of the word Zion by the designer of Olympics logo in the emblem of the Olympics Games 2012 is a very revolting act," Aliabadi wrote.

The Iranian official warned that if it was not changed it could "affect the participation of several countries, especially like Iran which insists on following principles and values."

Another Iranian official lashed out at the British Prime Minister for his insolent and disrespectful comments, saying that political figures do not enjoy the right to intervene in sports issues.

“Our decision, to partake Olympics games, has nothing to do with the UK politicians, since we coordinate all our activities with the International Olympics Committee”, said Bahram Afsharzadeh, the Secretary General of Iran's National Olympic Committee. "We will make coordination with officials of the International Olympic Committee and we will participate and play gloriously in London games," Afsharzadeh reiterated.

Meanwhile, a lawmaker proposed that Iran could launch an Islamic campaign through which it can invite Muslim countries to protest the racist logo of London 2012 Olympics Games.

“An Islamic campaign to boycott London 2012 Olympics Games would be an appropriate response to David Cameron's insolent remarks about Iran's criticism of the 2012 logo, which it said spells out the word 'Zion',” said Member of Parliament or Majlis, and the rappotuer of foreign policy commission Kazem Jalali.

Another Iranian lawmaker lambasted David Cameron for thinking like what the British dreamed in the 19th century Great Britain.

“The British premier has forgotten that the British bullying era is over and the world's free nations have strongly slapped the bullies including Americans, British and the Zionists in the face”, said Ismaeel Kosari, the vice chairman of the Majlis Foreign Policy Commission.

The Olympics games' charter reiterates that these games are the symbol of peace and friendship, which are designed to be anti-politics, said the official adding that “a country, which gives host to the games should refrain from bullying and arrogance, in order to uphold the games credibility.

Some sample readers comments:

When I first saw the logo, the first thing I noticed was how much it resembled the Aryan "swastika"... only later did I notice that it kind of looks like the word "zion" also. I honestly don't know if the British tried to spell out the word "zion" in designing the Olympic logo or not, but if this is the case, it can easily be turned into the "swastika" , a symbol greatly offensive to zionists: This should make them think twice before trying another trick on people's minds
This Logo is scary not only for Palestinians or Islamic countries. This logo is scary because, it shows how Zion have influence in British, US, and westerns society. There is no doubt racist is magnet for division and conflict in every where, from small Island like Bahrain to the entire world because, the world had experimented tow major wars with same wickedness.
star bucks has changed their logo from being green to black and white because the hear say it being bucks for the star this racist sign is clear to see it spells out Z.I.O.N i can't belive the royal queen of england and the elite service think thats not racist. Well what do we expect from the west?
What is supposed to be a symbol of peace and friendship has been turned into an profligate act of arrogance upon the world. Zionists revel in their power and ability to manipulate. There jewish creator received 400,000 pounds for this insulting logo. While a beautiful logo could have been obtained for free. And the evil cabal laughs at the world.

Olympics boost for Sussex economy

-- Link to The Argus article (http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/8906146.Olympics_boost_for_Sussex_economy/) --

The London Olympics is pumping millions of pounds in the Sussex economy - more than a year before the events begin.

Business leaders say up to 40 companies in the county have won contracts for the Olympic Games ranging from construction deals to high-profile merchandising contracts.

The South East England Development Agency (Seeda) said 3,634 businesses in Sussex have registered to bid for contracts to supply the 2012 Games, totalling 6% of all businesses in the county.

Icon Live in Burgess Hill has secured the official souvenirs licence for the Games and Cordek, based in Slinfold, near Arundel, has won a contract for the construction of the diving boards for the Aquatics Centre.

Other contracts won in the county include deals for the construction of the Olympic Stadium, communications and electronic and maintenance.

Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council's cabinet member for environment and economy, said local authority staff were working with local companies to give them information to bid for the Olympic money.

Coun Urquhart said: “Many West Sussex companies have already won top-tier contracts, and even more are benefiting from the supply chains. In these challenging economic times, we are committed to doing what we can to help firms remain competitive."

Mark Froud, the chief executive of Sussex Enterprise, the county's chamber of commerce, said although the cash injection is temporary, there would be a long-term benefit for those businesses by being associated with the London Games.

He said: “This is important and it is also very important for their brand to be associated with the most important sporting event.”

He said Olympic rules make it difficult for businesses to overly promote themselves ahead of the Games but thinks there will be a positive “legacy” for those companies after 2012.

Last year Crawley was named as host of the pre-Olympic training camp for the Barbados team.

Readers comments:

This is good news but as Mark Froud points out it is temporary. What happens when this work is finished. He seems to think that there will be a "legacy". I doubt it since no other Olympics has produced any benefit so far. Many of the facilties, such as Athens are just left to decay. This should be viewed as a lifeline to these companies and they have to keep looking for work after without relying on any imagined Olympic boost.
Really? I thought we were pumping billions of pounds into the Olympics?
Exactly!
Turning public money into private profits...there's the legacy!

The Olympic movement breathes a sight of relief...

Games 'logo' protest not to deter Iran

-- Link to Press TV article -- (http://www.presstv.ir/detail/169544.html)

Iran insists it would take part in London 2012 Olympics Games as glorious as ever, while it maintains its opposition to the racist logo of the games.

The Islamic Republic's insistence on its participation came after British Prime Minister David Cameron intentionally made a non-diplomatic, disrespectful comment to implicate Iran into a quick reaction scenario and force the Islamic Republic's officials to boycott the London games in line with his country's hostile policies towards Iran.

In yet another sign that he is resigned to supporting the Zionists whatsoever, David Cameron made an unwelcome interference in a sports issue, telling Iran “they would not be missed if they boycott the Olympics because they object to the Games logo”.

"It's completely paranoid. If the Iranians don't want to come, don't come - we won't miss you", the Prime Minister told the Jewish News.

Last month, Iran wrote to the International Olympics Committee complaining that the London 2012 logo spelled out the word “Zion” and it was racist, demanding it be scrapped.

Mohammad Aliabadi, head of Iran's National Olympic Committee, accused the British Olympic organizers of "racism" in a letter to International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge.

The emblem, which features jagged shapes representing the numbers 2012, has been criticized in the past for its design, which organizers say is modern and intended to catch the attention of the younger generation.

"The use of the word Zion by the designer of Olympics logo in the emblem of the Olympics Games 2012 is a very revolting act," Aliabadi wrote.

The Iranian official warned that if it was not changed it could "affect the participation of several countries, especially like Iran which insists on following principles and values."

Another Iranian official lashed out at the British Prime Minister for his insolent and disrespectful comments, saying that political figures do not enjoy the right to intervene in sports issues.

“Our decision, to partake Olympics games, has nothing to do with the UK politicians, since we coordinate all our activities with the International Olympics Committee”, said Bahram Afsharzadeh, the Secretary General of Iran's National Olympic Committee. "We will make coordination with officials of the International Olympic Committee and we will participate and play gloriously in London games," Afsharzadeh reiterated.

Meanwhile, a lawmaker proposed that Iran could launch an Islamic campaign through which it can invite Muslim countries to protest the racist logo of London 2012 Olympics Games.

“An Islamic campaign to boycott London 2012 Olympics Games would be an appropriate response to David Cameron's insolent remarks about Iran's criticism of the 2012 logo, which it said spells out the word 'Zion',” said Member of Parliament or Majlis, and the rappotuer of foreign policy commission Kazem Jalali.

Another Iranian lawmaker lambasted David Cameron for thinking like what the British dreamed in the 19th century Great Britain.

“The British premier has forgotten that the British bullying era is over and the world's free nations have strongly slapped the bullies including Americans, British and the Zionists in the face”, said Ismaeel Kosari, the vice chairman of the Majlis Foreign Policy Commission.

The Olympics games' charter reiterates that these games are the symbol of peace and friendship, which are designed to be anti-politics, said the official adding that “a country, which gives host to the games should refrain from bullying and arrogance, in order to uphold the games credibility.

Some sample readers comments:

Hypocrites.

They protest a logo whilst some of their athletes refuse to compete against Israelis; Iran is the LEAST Olympic of all Olympic nations in their attitude and actions. I think a simple rule should be implemented. Any athlete who chooses to politicise their participation by refusing to compete on grounds of nationality IMMEDIATELY forgoes their stay at the Olympic village, their pass to the Olympic Park, any venues etc and their right to participate in any ceremonies.

The IOC are cowards for not doing anything about Iran already. Cameron's right that athletes who take that attitude are NOT welcome at our Games and we should see to it that those are more than words.

Another Iranian official lashed out at the British Prime Minister for his insolent and disrespectful comments, saying that political figures do not enjoy the right to intervene in sports issues.

Meanwhile, a lawmaker proposed that Iran could launch an Islamic campaign through which it can invite Muslim countries to protest the racist logo of London 2012 Olympics Games.

“An Islamic campaign to boycott London 2012 Olympics Games would be an appropriate response to David Cameron's insolent remarks about Iran's criticism of the 2012 logo, which it said spells out the word 'Zion',” said Member of Parliament or Majlis, and the rappotuer of foreign policy commission Kazem Jalali.


Iranians, generally, are very intelligent, but surely the hypocrisy in this press release can hardly have gone unnoticed?

http://i54.tinypic.com/idhjtk.jpg

http://i53.tinypic.com/3090xo0.jpg

^^I thought someone said in an earlier post that the black ring was to be placed in front of the clock, but instead, it is the red ring. (though we nay be looking from an ineffective angle here.)

They're hanging in front of the clock by about 10 meters, it's just the angle the photo was taken from.

One thing that struck me about these rings, is how fooking massive they are.

London 2012 Olympics: Britons will not get priority

-- Link to Daily Telegraph article (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/8380864/London-2012-Olympics-Britons-will-not-get-priority.html) --

MPs are considering launching an investigation into why Britons are not being given priority over foreigners when trying to buy tickets for the next year’s London Olympics, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.

More than six million tickets are available for the Games from Tuesday, with members of the public having 40 days to apply. But rather than 60 million Britons registering for the tickets, as many as 500 million Europeans will be able to join in, as under EU laws anyone in the union can apply.

So far 100,000 people from outside this country have registered to buy tickets. Applications are expected to far outstrip demand, leading to fears that British taxpayers who have helped fund the £9 billion cost of the Games will lose out.

Therese Coffey MP, a member of the Commons’ Culture, Media and Sport committee, said she would raise it with the committee at a meeting on Tuesday. She said: “I would like to see priority given to residents in the United Kingdom.”

Conservative MP Robert Halfon said: “I think that is totally wrong. British citizens should be given priority. It is unfair that people who are not paying the taxes for the Games will get the same benefits as British people. There should be an immediate review of these arrangements get a fair deal.”

Priti Patel, a backbench Tory MP, said it was “another blow to national pride”. She said: “Hard-pressed British taxpayers and Londoners who have paid extra through their council tax to fund the Games will be appalled to see they will not be given priority when tickets go on sale. Not only is Europe taking £50 billion from our pockets over the next few years but they are now taking our tickets for our Olympics.”

Tory MP James Clappison added: “This news will come as a disappointment to many people who could reasonably have thought that, because they are footing the bill in a large part, the British public could expect to have priority for tickets.”

Marketing of the ticket process, which runs for 40 days from March 15, has been largely confined to Great Britain and Northern Ireland by London organisers keen to secure as many of the 6.6 million seats for the host nation's public.

Lord Coe, the chairman of the London Organising Committee, said that around 100,000 people from outside of Britain had signed up to register for tickets. There was a “fall back mechanism” of altering ratios of tickets if there was a flood of ticket applications from outside of Britain but within the EU.

Lord Coe thought this mechanism would not be required. He said: “All of our marketing has been in Britain, none of it has been overseas [or] within the EU. We are able to revisit that if it is out of kilter, but it is not going to happen.”

How would it be fair that Britons get priority?

Our media would have been outraged is China has said that their nationals would get first dibs on tickets.

How would it be fair that Britons get priority?

Our media would have been outraged is China has said that their nationals would get first dibs on tickets.

Not really. Its only fair that the citizens who have helped to fund these games get priority of tickets. Whats the point of having a home Olympics if the home crowd aren't at there maximum population.

Hopefully it shouldn't make too much of a difference, as only 100,000 have signed up, compared to the 7,000,000 on sale. But I do think it's highly unfair that Britons aren't the priority

It's the world coming to London, not Britain going to the Games.

I'm in too minds, although I kinda agree with the argument that these are the London Games so the British should have first choice, you then have to realise for the Olympics to benefit the economy at all it needs to attract visitors who will spend money, and most people in the world are not British, so economically it is better to attract the largest group, those pesky foreigners!! ;) So I'm gonna sit on the fence, it's painful but I have a fat arse!

I assume the same arrangements were in place in 2004 and 2006 and will be in any future Games in Europe as well. The number of applications from Europe will be a relatively small number; we're really competing against other Brits for tickets when all is said and done, though I do kind of agree we should have had some sort of priority.

I assume Canada didn't share applications with the USA at last year's Winter Games and that allocations were instead given to USOC to sell themselves, for example.

Count down...

Now less than 500 days to go...

Anyone submitted my ticket application form?


My cost total came to 900 quid, so I'm hoping I don't get them all.... I probably am willing to spend about 600 quid on tickets. I picked a large range because I don't think I will get them all, and I imagine if I just pick the ones I really want to the price I can afford.... I run the risk of being left with nothing.


I hope my registering to back the bid way back in early 2005, registering for just about every newsletter going buying no end of stuff from the Olympic Shop Online all using the same email as I did today will help me secure some.

I've applied for category B tickets for the mens football quarter finals at SJP. I might apply for the female version as well. I was going to apply for the preliminary rounds, but the prices seem a little steep for what will possibly be UK Virgin Islands vs USA Virgin Islands, on second thoughts, if it was the female version then I might just go along, "Come on you UK virgin girls!".

London 2012: Wellcome may bid for Olympic Park

The Wellcome Trust medical charity has confirmed that it is considering buying the London 2012 Olympic Park.

A trust spokesman said it was exploring the opportunity to become an investor in the site and "optimise the legacy of the Olympics".

The trust is already one of nine bidders for the Olympic village, which is subject to a separate auction.

The spokesman would not confirm a Financial Times report that the trust had already offered £1bn for the site.

"The Wellcome Trust has been shortlisted by the Olympic Delivery Authority to submit a proposal for the purchase and long term management of the residential properties known as the Athletes Village," he said.

"In exploring this opportunity further, we are giving detailed consideration as to how we may also become investors in the wider Olympic Park and optimise the legacy of the Olympics.

"To this end, we are currently meeting with a broad range of stakeholders to explore this opportunity further."

If the Wellcome Trust were to bid successfully for the 500-acre site, it would give fresh impetus to hopes of creating a science and technology centre at the east London park.

Prime Minister David Cameron has expressed a wish to attract hi-tech investment to the area and is likely to welcome the trust's potential role in the project.

As well as the athletics village, the Olympic Park's facilities also include the main stadium, an aquatics centre and a media centre.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12772406

Games a win-win for London

-- Link to Property Council of Australia (http://www.propertyoz.com.au/Article/NewsDetail.aspx?p=16&id=4185) --

The 2012 London Olympics development looks like being both environmentally inspirational and a financial success for decades after the games are over.

At the recent Green Cities conference, Dan Epstein, director of sustainability for the London Olympic Authority, shared some highlights of that rare item – a major development coming in before time and under budget.

The site, in Stratford, East London, was horribly polluted, with its soil contaminated by more than a century and a half's chemical factory runoff, heavy metals, landfill and poisons.

The average life expectancy of its residents was eight years less than that of those in nearby more affluent areas. "this was the dumping ground of London," said Epstein.

So the Olympic Authority aimed high, allocating 75p in every pound spent on the site to permanent infrastructure. More than 220 buildings were removed and 90 percent of the demolition materials were saved for reuse on the site.

The contaminated soil was put through gigantic soil washing machines, allowing 85 percent of it to be reused in landscaping. Extra materials were brought to the site by train or barge (the defunct canals were dredged and cleaned for the purpose) to achieve a 75 percent reduction in the carbon cost implicit in road transport.

Buildings, like the aquatic centre and the velodrome, were designed with later use in mind – large portions were demountable so after the games, smaller, more workable community facilities would be left.

The Olympic Village was designed for future use too, currently providing 17,000 apartments in mixed-use developments with public transport, walking and cycling routes to greater London.

The landscaping produced "the largest British Park to be delivered in more than a century", with a development strategy which encompassed 10, 15 and 20 year milestones.

In 20 years' time the site will have 2 million sq m of retail space and 20,000 homes. And the people weren't neglected either. Nearly 240 trainees benefited from the Olympic Apprentice Scheme.

This is a truly inspirational example of what can be achieved if you carefully plan the rejuvenation of an existing city area. The Olympic Park Legacy Company will be running the site after the Games end, and it will be working with a well-planned, exceptionally green precinct.

As surprising as it seems, there could be some lessons here for the the redevelopment of the RNA Showgrounds in Brisbane and, hopefully, for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

Olympic Park to share EastEnders' Walford E20 postcode

The Olympic Park is to get the same postcode as the BBC soap opera EastEnders, the Royal Mail has revealed.

The site, in Stratford, will receive an E20 code - which is currently used by the fictional district of Walford in the TV series.

The postcode will serve five new neighbourhoods to be created after the 2012 Games.

The Olympic Stadium will get its own E20 2ST code as part of the change.

More than 100 postcodes will be assigned to developments throughout the site - which will be renamed the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park after the Games.

London's first postal districts were introduced in 1857, while the current system using numbers and letters was created in the late 1950s.

Continue reading the main story
London 2012 - Begin your journey here


Sport, news and more 2012 information
BBC London 2012
The E20 postcode for the Olympic Park will also cover neighbouring areas including the residential apartments in the athletes' village plus the Westfield Stratford City shopping Centre which will house 400 retail units.

The postcodes will be split into three zones - E20 1, E20 2 and E20 3.

Zones 4 to 9 could be added in future decades as the site develops. Up to 8,000 homes will be built there over the next 20 years.

Stephen Agar, Royal Mail's director of regulated business, said: "It is fitting that such a significant development in London has been allocated its own easily recognisable postcode more than 150 years after the world's first postcodes were introduced in the capital."

Walford, the fictional suburb of East London where EastEnders is set, was given the E20 postcode when the BBC launched the soap opera in 1985.

The previous highest postcode area in real life East London was E18, around South Woodford. There is no E19.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12789694

Lessons of Barcelona-on-Thames: 1992 Games provided model for London... and a few warnings

-- Link to London Evening Standard article (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23933816-the-olympic-legacy-lessons-of-barcelona-on-thames-1992-games-provided-model-for-london-and-a-few-warnings.do) --

http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2011/03/Olympic_Stadium_415.jpg

Barcelona has been hailed as the Olympics that set the standard for leaving a legacy beyond the two-week sporting event. And today it can be revealed that the 1992 Games provided the model for next year's event.

London 2012 hired the Catalan city's chief architect to pass on the blueprint from the Barcelona Games, which has bequeathed well-used sports venues and a new coastal quarter of the city.

Ken Livingstone, Mayor during the 2012 bid, said Barcelona's achievement in transforming run-down areas had shaped London's plan to regenerate the East End. "The 1992 Games were a model for us, I often talked during the bid about creating Barcelona-on-Thames," he said.

"Theirs was primarily a plan about using the Games for regeneration. After we won the bid I went back to ministers and fought for more funding to improve the wider area. Barcelona helped me make the case."

Barcelona's legacy masterplan was simple. The benefits of new buildings were distributed across the city in four sports "clusters", each connected by a new 30-mile road link that would speed athletes to events, but also alleviate road congestion after the Games.

An apartment complex for 15,000 athletes was built in the then derelict docklands to the east of the city.

The makeover of the area - now known as the Port Olimpic - was complete as city planners created a marina for the sailing event and turned an industrial tip into a three-mile stretch of sandy beach. All this was linked to the city centre by an extension of the Metro. Barcelona, thanks to the Games, had reclaimed its seafront.

This exercise in rebalancing the city's wealth to the east convinced Mr Livingstone that the Lower Lea Valley could be regenerated for London 2012.
Josep Acebillo, one of Spain's leading architects who led the Olympic building quango, was the link for this, acting as a consultant to the London 2012 project in its infancy.

He said: "We [Barcelona] were the first Olympics conceived primarily for the transformation of the city. London was influenced by our philosophy through Lord Rogers (architecture adviser to Mr Livingstone)."

Mr Acebillo said that by the time Barcelona was awarded the Olympics in 1987, all the building blocks were in place. A legacy plan had been agreed two years earlier; world-class sports venues such as the open-air velodrome had been built during the bidding process; and there was plenty of cash.

However, of the £10 billion in public funds, only 10 per cent went on new stadia with the bulk used for improvements to transport, housing, irrigation and re-shaping the city's seafront.
When the Standard visited Montjuic, Barcelona's Olympic park, it is clear that the legacy plans have succeeded.

At the former gymnastics venue, a stylish domed structure, a group of roadies unpacked for the weekend's sold-out Kylie Minogue concerts.

Nearby, scores of recreational swimmers enjoyed the 50-metre pool while outside a group of schoolchildren on a daytrip play among the pergolas and modernist art installations after a picnic. At the Port Olimpic, the marina was coming to life as crews prepared boats after their winter hibernation. The harbour now boasts the Catalan Yachting Federation's HQ and its youth academy, and the eight restaurants created in 1992 have multiplied tenfold.

At the seven-storey Olympic village, built on the site of a railway which once cut Barcelona off from the seafront, there is a waiting list for one of the 2,000 flats. The athletes' dining hall has been converted into a shopping mall; their polyclinic is the GPs' surgery; and there is a 17-screen cinema.

Development has spread further east with the 19th-century warehouses - rebranded @22 - now the address of film studios, new media and loft apartments. Think of London's Olympic ripple effect reaching beyond Stratford to Barking and you have a measure of what has been achieved.

But regeneration has had its critics with locals voicing their opposition by daubing anti-gentrification graffiti across the warehouse conversions.

According to Mayor Jordi Hereu, the Games put Barcelona firmly on the map. A global television audience of several billion got a taste for the city, most famously by watching the diving competition with divers framed against a backdrop of Antoni Gaudí's gothic church, the Sagrada Família.

"It was the start of Barcelona going from a local to a global city" said Mr Hereu. "There's also something intangible which was the pride given to the people of Barcelona."

It was fortunate timing that the Catalan capital attained global recognition as the era of budget airlines took off.

The number of airline passengers to Barcelona has tripled over two decades to 29 million and hotel capacity has more than doubled to 60,000 rooms in the same period. But for all its triumphs, Barcelona has failed to find a solution to the problem of the legacy of the main Olympic stadium.

Last year resident club Espanyol FC moved to a purpose-built football stadium after fans complained that watching their team across a running track killed the atmosphere.

Mr Hereu points out the 70,000-seat venue still hosts regular internationals. But the fact the home side is Catalonia and not Spain means it remains a millstone. It is food for thought for Boris Johnson, as West Ham prepare to make its Stratford equivalent home.

Ken frankly admitted sport holds no interest for him. Long term regeneration for the Lee valley was planned way back in 2001, the Olympics was a massive fillip and allowed Ken to wangle more money out of government. People who claim the games benefit rich Londoners should be reminded some of the poorest boroughs in the country border the Olympic Park.

Promises, Promises: The Olympic Legacy

-- Link to BBC iPlayer (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00zxj8m/Promises_Promises_The_Olympic_Legacy/) --

Jon Sopel investigates the original pledges made by London's Olympic committee and asks if the legacy of the Games can really be delivered.

Does anyone have any idea when the olympic rings will start being assembled on Tower Bridge? :)

Is anyone else finding the Olympic site webcams less and less reliable?
There's now nothing on the handball arena, nor the basketball arena or the Velodrome or the Aquatics Centre. Poor show, really...

yeah berty, seems they are switching the cams off? sometimes i can see inside the basketball arena,diving boards and hockey but seems now iget three shots of the village, one inside the stadium, one outside, one of the whole of the park and one of the aquatic (been down since Yesterday am).

Is anyone else finding the Olympic site webcams less and less reliable?
There's now nothing on the handball arena, nor the basketball arena or the Velodrome or the Aquatics Centre. Poor show, really...

Still 100 times better than any previous host. London 2012 are really spoiling us with their construction update photos from the air and the webcams.

A shame some of them have been turned off. I wonder whether there's reasons for that; certain installations going on that have security implications maybe?

Who knows, but following the progress of London 2012 construction has been easier than previous hosts, espeicllay Beijing.

Time to go past the 10,000 post mark, and I couldn't think of any other thread to do it in.

I've also changed my avatar for the first time in 5 years to mark the occasion.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/eddyk2/10k.jpg

Public to name Olympic suburbs

-- Link to BBC London article (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12771744) --

-- BBC London Slideshow (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12785816) --

Duncan Innes, who is in charge of real estate at the Olympic Park Legacy Company, introduces each neighbourhood and talks about its unique characteristics

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51781000/jpg/_51781913_2012_oplc_plan_624.jpg

Neighbourhood 1
This neighbourhood will become the most 'village like' of all the residential areas in the Olympic Park with a modern take on some of London's finest architecture including mews and town houses. The homes will be near the Chobham Academy campus, in the Athletes' Village, and the Velopark.

The area bears little resemblance to the Lee Valley marshland of prehistoric times. Discoveries of ancient axes show people have lived in the area since the Palaeolithic period (part of the Stone Age) and coins and medals dating from Roman times have also been found.

This area lay within the ancient parish of West Ham, which probably took its name from the manors of Ham (meaning low-lying pasture), and also within part of Leyton (settlement on the Lee). Both places were mentioned in the Domesday Book of AD 1086.

During the Second World War on 7 September 1940 a heavy anti-aircraft gun near Manor Garden Allotments was the first to shoot down an enemy aircraft. The military pillboxes used as part of the defence of London during the war in this area were later used as potting sheds.

Neighbourhood 2
This area will offer family homes framing the edge of the parklands with a primary school and a community centre. It will also be the Olympic Park's main employment zone. During the Games it will house the Broadcast and Press centres and the nearby Handball arena will host handball and fencing for the men's modern pentathlon plus goalball during the Paralympic Games.

The area, close to Hackney Wick, has for centuries been dominated by the River Lee and, more recently, the man-made Hackney Cut canal. During the Great Plague in 1665 barges helped save Londoners from starvation by transporting food into the capital.

The area became home to industry including White Post Lane which was the site of the Hope Chemical Works. In 1948 Clarnico - the country's largest confectioner - moved into Waterden Road due to war damage to its Hackney premises. Waterden Road was also home to the Hackney Wick stadium, which opened in 1932 for greyhound and motorcycle racing. It was demolished in 2003.

Neighbourhood 3
This is the highest point of the Olympic Park and a mix of studios, flats and family homes will be built here alongside the Lee Navigation Canal. There will be a continuous riverside walk along the canal, connecting Hackney Wick, Fish Island and the Olympic Park for the first time. During the Games, this area will be the main destination for food, information and 2012 Olympic souvenirs and merchandise.

Historically, the area has been a hive of industry as well as mired in controversy. It is situated between the Hackney Cut and River Lee and most of the marshland that had been gradually drained for use as meadows was once again submerged in water when the East London Waterworks Company (ELWC) built a reservoir in the middle of the 19th Century. However, it was filled in by the end of the century when it was hit by scandal.

In 1866 it was claimed that contaminated water was spreading cholera. Locals claimed that putrid eels had been found in their water pipes. ELWC denied supplying unfiltered water, but was eventually found guilty of criminal negligence. The case was so difficult to prove and the fine so small that no prosecution took place. In the late 19th to early 20th Century the growth of chemical, confectionary and petroleum-related industries really took off.

Wallis Road in Hackney Wick was crucial in the history of the invention of plastic. This is where Alexander Parkes made the first type of plastic, which he called Parkesine. White Post Lane was the home of Achille Serre - the company that introduced dry cleaning to the UK in 1876. The French cleaning process used a chemical solvent rather than water.

Neighbourhood 4
This area will be the cultural quarter with residential areas and shops, restaurants and bars. It will be close to the Westfield Stratford City shopping centre and the rail connections at Stratford Regional and Stratford International stations. During the Games, the Aquatics Centre will adjoin the main entrance to the Olympic Park. Swimming and synchronised swimming, diving and events from the modern pentathlon will be watched by 17,500 spectators.

This area is all about railways - without the development of the railways Stratford would not be the place it is today. Bordered to the east and south by railway lines - like much of the Olympic Park - the area was transformed by the train. The line to the south was originally the Eastern Counties Railway (ECR) from London to Romford, built in the 1830s. It crossed the Lee Valley on a man-made embankment that included a short viaduct between Pudding Mill Lane and Marshgate Lane.

The ECR was one of London's earliest lines and attracted businesses from the centre of the capital to relocate to the area. Stratford became a major railway intersection and the main ECR depot. In the early 20th Century the works employed over 6,000 people and the area was dubbed Hudson's Town, after George Hudson, the chairman of the ECR.

The second half of the 19th Century saw commercial development of Carpenter's Road and Warton Road, the bank of the City Mill River and Marshgate Lane along Pudding Mill River - which was filled in to make way for the Olympic Stadium.

Neighbourhood 5
Here, rivers and canal converge to create a network of waterfronts to the south, east and west. As one of the three prospective employment zones in the Park, the area will be a mix of residential, light-industrial and business uses.

It is the closest neighbourhood to the secondary school that will will be built in the future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, adjacent to Stratford High Street. During the Games, the area will house facilities for the athletes including physiotherapy, doctors and trainers.

The River Lee was a difficult obstacle for our ancestors and this area was once the site of the main crossing across the water, known as Queen Matilda's Causeway. Built around AD1110, it linked settlements at Bow and Stratford on opposite sides of the valley. It was apparently requested by Matilda, wife of King Henry I, as the old Roman crossing had become unsafe.

The earliest businesses were located on the High Street between Marshgate Lane Lock and Bow Bridge and included Thomas Frye's Bow Porcelain Works, founded in the 1740s, one of the first in Britain to make porcelain.

Time to go past the 10,000 post mark, and I couldn't think of any other thread to do it in.

I've also changed my avatar for the first time in 5 years to mark the occasion.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/eddyk2/10k.jpg

congrats, and great new avatar. your dry wit is an asset to the forum :)

Cheers Will?

I've just this minute submitted my ticket application. The preliminary basketball tickets are great value I think. £20 quid for 4 hours compared to the diving which are 50 quid at the cheapest for 1 hour.


My total cost came to 900 quid, It's a shame I had to use my debit card as rather than my credit card.

What if there are tickets still available after the final day of applying? If I missed out on the ones I wanted, I'd gladly go watch some handball or hockey instead.

Time to go past the 10,000 post mark, and I couldn't think of any other thread to do it in.

I've also changed my avatar for the first time in 5 years to mark the occasion.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/eddyk2/10k.jpg

Congratulations! :cheers:

I always enjoy reading your posts; and it's great to have another forumer come across to the Dark Side by choosing to have the ZION logo as their avatar. :cheers:

^^^^ Congratz Eddyk, just wondering where do you get the London 2012 font from, ive seen it around and would really like it :)

Use of the font is restricted to official LOCOG documents- if you're using it beware you are actually breaking the law.

^^ Fair enough i suppose :)

As it looks like it's going to be a nice weekend I'm thinking of visiting the Olympic Park. Any tips of where is best to go? I know there is the greenway but not sure where this starts or finishes and there is also the View tube. Whereabouts is this? Any other worthwhile places to stop along the way/in the area or good lunchtime sports?

As it looks like it's going to be a nice weekend I'm thinking of visiting the Olympic Park. Any tips of where is best to go? I know there is the greenway but not sure where this starts or finishes and there is also the View tube. Whereabouts is this? Any other worthwhile places to stop along the way/in the area or good lunchtime sports?

Last time I cycled down Ruckholt Road, then slipped down to the canal tow path opposite the media centre, you can then pedal down the east side of the canal, and pick up the Greenway just south of the stadium.

I too am hoping to make the most of the warm weather and take my dog for a walk along this route. Will go from Plaistow to old ford lock on the greenway.

"We could not be more impressed" by London 2012 claims Oswald

Denis Oswald, the chairman of the London 2012 International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission, has praised the on-going preparations.

And the high-ranking IOC Executive Board member says everything possible has been done to ensure that there will be no white elephants after the Games.

He was speaking here at a press conference following the conclusion of the eighth IOC Coordination Commission.

"It surprises me when I come to England and read the newspapers and see negative reports about the legacy from the Games," said Oswald, who is also the President of the International Rowing Federation.

"Following our visit, I can categorically state London has fantastic legacy plans in place and that legacy is a key part of the 2012 Games.

"No other Olympic host city has ever given as much consideration to legacy as London has and I am sure that there will be no white elephants from these Games which is very pleasing for the IOC to see.

"There is an Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) in place for the first time in the history of the Olympics and I am sure that these will be truly remarkable Games.

"Everything is on track and on budget and we could not be more impressed with what we have seen in our latest visit."

The Commission is set to return to London on two more occasions before the Games begin and Oswald says the lack of visits illustrates just how advanced the city's preparations are.

"When I was chairman of the Athens 2004 IOC Coordination Commission, I had to visit the city 25 times with just a year to go because preparations were so far behind," Oswald explained.

"With a year to go to London 2012, we will come here just two more times and I think that shows you how advanced the preparations are and how confident we are about the London Games.

"I think these visits are very valuable though as we can offer LOCOG important advice and our also our experience but there is no doubt that they are doing a fantastic job and we are very pleased."

http://insidethegames.biz/summer-olympics/2012/12542-qwe-could-not-be-more-impressedq-by-london-2012-claims-oswald

http://insidethegames.biz/images/stories/Denis_Oswald_with_Sebastian_Coe_London_press_conference_November_2010.jpg

Man arrested for supplying explosives inside the Olympic site:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12943592

Worrying that the threats have started already, but good that security are on the ball.

London ahead of Athens says Olympic Games inspector (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-olympics/article-23937735-london-ahead-of-athens-says-olympic-games-inspector.do)
Matthew Beard, Sports News Correspondent Matthew Beard, Sports News

Preperations for the London Olympics are at the same stage as Athens was a day before the Games opened in the Greek capital in 2004, the chief Olympics inspector said today.

Denis Oswald, head of the International Olympic Committee's inspection team, contrasted the near-complete Olympic Park with the chaos in Athens before the 2004 Games. On a visit to London this week his team was impressed by the completed Olympic stadium and the athletes' village, where one block is ready.

Mr Oswald said trees and plants were now taking root- in contrast to Athens where they were being planted as the athletes arrived.

He said: "The London Olympic park looks now like Athens did a day before the Games.

"In Athens they were planting trees when athletes were moving into the village. It's a big difference and it's why we congratulate Locog on planning the preparations
so well."

He added Games organiser Locog was "on the right track" despite an ongoing financial row with the British Olympic Association.

U7d89Anzmdo

Looks like they've done a fair chunk of London. Wembley Stadium is fianally shown in it's completed form and the patchwork of photos that was Heathrow is now a single image (except for the south runway and T4 for some reason). It will be interesting to see if they do another update in 2012 before the opening.

Certainly for major events in the past (2008 Olympics and 2010 WC) Google have updated the images and created all the venues in 3D for Google Earth. See HERE (http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/cldetails?mid=efe83785f1aaaae0ae682533f3f1d4dd&ct=mdcc&prevstart=0) and HERE (http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/cldetails?mid=708a09958af988a1c8db8f9180bc27b7&ct=mdcc&prevstart=0)

I am really worried about finding transport to the games, how much are trains/planes from Glasgow or Dundee to London right now? £100 each way, increase that for fuel increases and companies making profits - plus the fact the Olympics are on - it could be well over £300 to get there and back! Plus the money will I spent on my Games package!! :O

Dear BOA. Please see item 22 under Expenditure as per the IOC Candidature Guidelines and IOC Technical Manuals.

The BOA is entitled to 20% of any surplus from the 2012 Games, but there is disagreement over whether that should mean just the Olympics, or also include the Paralympics.

The cash-strapped BOA had been hoping to raise millions of pounds by taking its share from the Olympics, before any money had been spent on the Paralympics.



http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5182/5582977175_e2dfce0990_b.jpg

London 2012 Olympics: concerns over roof protection at Games venues raised:storm:

International sports federations say they don't want to rain on the parade of the London organising committee, but have complained to the International Olympic Committee about the lack of roof protection on many London 2012 Olympic Games venues.


A lack of shade on the temporary stands at rowing, equestrian, canoe slalom and sprint, triathlon, hockey and beach volleyball will expose the public – some of whom have paid up to £450 each for a seat – as well as officials and working media to potential extremes of weather of rain, glare and heat.


The IOC co-ordination commission Chairman Denis Oswald, who is also the chair of the association of the 26 summer Olympic international sports federations, told the IOC President Jacques Rogge in a joint meeting in London that one of the few concerns about the London organisation was the lack of "covered grandstands at many of the venues".


He said: "The international federations have had to sign off on the venue designs but we have had no real choice not to accept (the roofless designs)".


But Oswald insisted he was still hopeful that Locog could offer some protection.

A Locog spokesperson said they were considering protecting some areas for the working media especially at venues which continued hosting competitions regardless of inclement weather but there were no plans for wider protection for the public.

"All of the international federations signed off on the venues and we have always been very clear in our communications and in our venue diagrams about the stadium specifications, there has been regular debate and discussion about it," she said.

The public is not entitled to any refund from Olympic events that continue through any bad weather.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/8429097/London-2012-Olympics-concerns-over-roof-protection-at-Games-venues-raised.html

--------------------------------------------------------------

Its a bit late in day for this now......:|

Thats what I said a while back. Even the media and their computer have zero cover at e.g. hockey, equestrian.

Bit silly to be complaining this late. Its entirely reasonable to at least have the Olympic Family and media areas covered/under roof.

Either there is NO money or LOCOG are being stingy.

They only need some of those £20 gazebos you can get at cheapo shops and put them in strategic areas near the back of the seating (obviously they'd have to shorten the legs on one side!).

or you spend a little more and get Nussli to simply increase the roof size. This is not going to break the budhet. Or even do this.

A temporary fabric roof in different colours.
http://www.under18hockey.com/Portals/31/Images/South-Africa-Under-18-Hockey-Hartleyvale-Stadium-2.jpg

Watch and learn football...

The International Rugby Board says it is happy for there to be a combined British team when rugby sevens makes its Olympic debut in Rio in 2016.

The idea of a British football team at the 2012 London Games has caused much debate but IRB chief Mike Miller said he did not see a problem for rugby.

"We already have a template in the British and Irish Lions," he stated.

"We've said to the unions it's your decision - you come up with a proposal, as long as it's fair we'll be happy."

"We hope they'll have it sorted out by the end of the year. The unions work together very well," he explained.

Link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/12982888.stm)

http://www.alevelmedia.co.uk/custom/meerkat.jpg

http://scrawlfx.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Mario-Sonic-BA-Leak.jpg

PROBABLY inevitable but this news is sure to cause huge excitement in my brother's child-packed house - Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games look set to return for London 2012.

Leaked artwork emerged from Brazilian gaming site GameLib shows a rather sketchy packshot for the possible next installment in the sports gaming hit.

It's the first hint of a new title for the hugely popular series, which have sold copies by the bucket load.

http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/ladslounge/2011/04/sonic-mario-at-the-london-olym.html

Building mag says "Construction is scheduled to last two years with on-site work set to commence in early 2012"

Building mag says "Construction is scheduled to last two years with on-site work set to commence in early 2012"

Two years for test events. They really want plenty of leeway in Rio!

Although two year seems unusually quick for building Olympic venues. London started at least two years ago and are still going!

Trying to decide my last tickets: Late Night (Indoor) Basketball or Late Night (Outdoor) Hockey?

This just came through the Bloomberg at work:

'British Olympic Association and organisers of London 2012 Olympics settle dispute over how any surplus from the games will be divided'

This just came through the Bloomberg at work:

'British Olympic Association and organisers of London 2012 Olympics settle dispute over how any surplus from the games will be divided'

More accurately, the IOC told them that the BOA can only take profits after the Paralympics.

National Rail are offering tickets a year in advance to those that get tickets.

Which is good, I was worried about transport if I got some tickets.

2012 Olympics to smash TV record

-- Link to News.com.au article (http://www.news.com.au/olympics-to-smash-tv-record/story-fn7mjoe2-1226044293245) --

THE London Olympics was on course to raise the bar for TV income generated by a single sports event.

Television revenue for next year's Games, dubbed "the greatest show on earth," stands at a record-breaking £1.56 billion ($2.58 billion), exceeding the previous highest figure, set in Beijing in 2008, by £500 million.

Some 95 percent of the 220 countries and territories expected to broadcast the Olympics already signed deals, with the event attracting big contracts with the globe's wealthiest countries because its European setting allows daytime and prime-time broadcasts across a wide area.

Despite the record income haul, the 2012 Games was unlikely to break Beijing's records for most viewers, which took advantage of the Far East's prime-time hours.

The opening ceremony in the Chinese capital was watched by the first "genuine one billion" TV audience, sports analysts said, while 450 million tuned in for the volleyball game between China and Cuba, breaking the record for viewers of a single event.

I'm worried about hyper inflated train/rail tickets from Scotland! They're not exactly hape just now, factor into it rising fuel and the Olympic profitering effect! + me being a cheapo Student! :P

I'd love to know how much is being made at the London 2012 shops, I think I might ask next time I am in one.

I've probably spent over 100 quid now on Olympic Merchandise which is worth a tree or two in the Olympic park.

^^
Still not got that room for 2012 yet :P I heard that the park benches in Stratford are some of the most comfortable around, Cheap too!

^^
Still not got that room for 2012 yet :P I heard that the park benches in Stratford are some of the most comfortable around, Cheap too!

I've had a few offers, one is not concrete by any means... the other involves me pimping myself out.

National Rail are offering tickets 1 year in advance though to people who get tickets to the games... which I might have to take advantage of.

London is only 1hr away.

Am I the only one who is getting tired of the amount of petty insults being traded on this forum? It seems more and more at the core of what is posted. I wonder sometimes if I am on a forum popoulated by testosterone fueled teenagers. Without wanting to appear to be an old fogey can people show a bit more maturity and debate the topics of the day without resorting to school yard name calling?!

Doesn't seem to have been posted.

London Olympics pollution on course to land Britain hefty fine from IOC
Air pollution is such in London that drastic measures would be required before 'greenest ever Games' to avoid £175m fine
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/apr/24/london-olympics-pollution-fine-ioc

I'm sorry but WTF?!

Easy first-step, make those lazy buggers from the IOC walk and use public transport rather than having a fleet of BMWs ferry them around everywhere. EU fines, ok, but what do the IOC think they're doing policing our pollution levels and then taking OUR money; especially since it's THEIR show which will cause some increases in pollution in the city? Everyone knows I'm a great supporter of the Games, but clawing back a whopping 25% of TV revenue is pure greed, especially given the hypocricy of IOC members having their own private cars and Olympic Lanes.

I don't know, having high levels of air pollution seems like it could be pretty shit in terms of hosting the 'world's greatest sporting event'

I agree with regard to hypocrisy but money's what people understand, and neglecting the issue was stupid

In my opinion it's a shame it will affect the general public but there's not much of a choice and only our own authorities are to blame

Sure, but where does the IOC's remit end exactly?

I'm ok with EU fines, but I really think the IOC - given how much money we're spending on their show - should not have any right to fine a host city. They're an unaccountable sporting body, but they're acting like a level of government in threatening to hold back our money. It doesn't sit right with me, regardless whether our record on emissions is good or not. And of course it's compounded by the fact that they're given a fleet of cars and their own special Olympic lanes, which will only exaccerbate pollution problems during Games-time.

By signing the IOC host city charter in Singapore 2005 London is held a binding agreement to reach certain air quality levels. If London didn't like this, it shouldn't have signed.

The impetus is on the Government and Mayor to reach these targets or face fines by the IOC.

Part of the reason for these agreements is so in a sense the host city is capable of moving the Olympic family between events in private transport and able to mitigate that pollution created without breaching air quality targets. With such strict deadlines between events and the needs of athletes/sporting bodies and IOC members it would add another layer of complication and security by having them move around the city by public transport.

At the end of the day, the IOC are a client to the host city and by signing the charter when they win have to abide by the rules set within, or face fines, or, as it could be, have the Games taken away from them.

The air quality is only measured around the games, so they could do like they did in Beijing and just hold a one month period before and during the games where no cars are allowed on London streets, nor factories produce anything which created air pollution.

The air quality is only measured around the games, so they could do like they did in Beijing and just hold a one month period before and during the games where no cars are allowed on London streets, nor factories produce anything which created air pollution.

That would do wonders for the economy.

So will the unsold tickets be put up for sale after tonight?

Probably around August. Doubt there will be many.

applied for all my tickets last night (just before the site slowed down). if i get them all i will be very happy and very poor. i applied for at least 2 tickets for most events and i'm hoping to find someone to come with me if none of my friends/family are available...

it looks like you need an event ticket to get into the olympic park so i have applied for olympic park venues on most days.

anyone else applied ?

applied for all my tickets last night (just before the site slowed down). if i get them all i will be very happy and very poor. i applied for at least 2 tickets for most events and i'm hoping to find someone to come with me if none of my friends/family are available...

it looks like you need an event ticket to get into the olympic park so i have applied for olympic park venues on most days.

anyone else applied ?

I've done the same as you - I applied for 2 tickets to four events (so I'll be £260 lighter if I get all of them). I went for one event off the park (Canoeing) and three on (handball, athletics and swimming). I'm most hoping to get drawn for the swimming because I'd love to be in that Zaha Hadid building during the Olympics!

if i get all my tickets i will be £1,200 worse off! however i did apply for a lot of biggies expecting not to get them

If all my tickets come in I am £5k in the hole ...
But I doubt I will get a 10th of what I want. If more than I expect come in I doubt I will have a problem selling them on anyway.

I have put in for 4 days at the athletics and gone for the highest priced seats so I will be disappointed if not one comes in. I have done the same for the tennis. Otherwise I just have a whole load of E and D category seats for things like Archery, BMX, Boxing, Basketball and so on which may just come up. I wanted to see the swimming but the venue is so compromised for lower priced seats I havent bothered.

I have put in for 4 £150 opening ceremony tickets which I know I dont have a hope in hell of getting.

£2300 here. But that's between four of us. And given the odds of getting tickets I'd be surprised if, individually, I end up forking out more than £200.

I put in for £1000 worth, hoping I get most of what I applied for. Theyre the cheaper end but for finals in events we should do well in so im hoping to see some Union flags lifted :)

wish I had done more inside the park though as only applied for 2 events in the park, 1 in north greenwich and 1 in excel.

There's going to be a huge number of re-sells and a lot of stuff that hasn't sold at all yet so I'm waiting for the re-sell website next year before I buy anything. I simply cannot afford to buy anything in the next month or two.

A grands worth as well over 7 events, I wish now I hadn't of wussed out and gone for even higher priced tickets at some events.

I reckon there will be a few people who put in mega orders they couldnt afford expecting to get only a small percentage who then find themselves facing a large bill.

London 2012 Olympic ticket demand passes 20m

-- Link to BBC article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/london_2012/13209306.stm) --

London 2012 organisers have revealed that they received applications for more than 20 million tickets from 1.8 million people for the Olympic Games. That figure is more than three times the 6.6 million tickets available to UK sports fans for the event. The organisers have also said more than 50% of the 645 sessions will go to a random ballot and that 95% of the applications are from the UK. "We're thrilled with the response," said London 2012 chief Lord Coe.

Track cycling, rhythmic gymnastics, triathlon, modern pentathlon, equestrian (cross country) and both the opening and closing ceremonies were the first events to sell out. Tickets for those sports will go to ballot, as will the majority of the sessions in swimming and tennis.

In what is the biggest ticketing exercise ever undertaken in the UK, the London Organising Committee (LOCOG) will now check and de-duplicate applications. It will then run ballots across sessions which are oversubscribed and process applications.

Money will be taken from accounts from 10 May and customers will receive confirmation of which events they will receive tickets for in June. Those who were not successful in their initial application will be given further opportunities to apply for remaining tickets in June and July as part of this process.

"Certain events have seen massive demand - for example the Opening Ceremony, which is more than 10 times oversubscribed," added Lord Coe. "So there will understandably be disappointment and we will find a way to go back to those people with other tickets.

"What is most encouraging is that the majority of applications are for multiple tickets and for several sports, which shows that friends and family are planning to go to the Games together."