Olympic Highlights of the Week

IOC Announces Olympic Highlights of the Week

On 28 June in Lausanne, IOC President Jacques Rogge met a delegation from the City of Lausanne, led by Mayor Daniel Brélaz.

(PRWEB) June 29, 2012

IOC ACTIVITIES
PRESIDENT
On 28 June in Lausanne, IOC President Jacques Rogge met a delegation from the City of Lausanne, led by Mayor Daniel Brélaz.

This weekend, President Rogge will be in Kiev (Ukraine), attending the final of the Euro 2012 football championships between Spain and Italy, in the Olympic Stadium.

MEMBERS
Nawal El Moutawakel was named Chevalier de l’Ordre national of Benin at the 18th African Athletics Championships, being held from 26 June to 1 July in Cotonou.

Sergey Bubka has been selected for the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF)’s Hall of Fame. An Olympic pole vault champion in 1988 in Seoul and six-time world champion, Bubka is currently an IAAF Vice-President, like Sebastian Coe, the Chairman of London 2012, who has also been selected for the Hall of Fame. Bubka and Coe join Irena Szewinska on the list of 24 athletes selected. The induction ceremony will take place on 24 November 2012 in Barcelona (Spain) during the IAAF Centenary Gala.

OTHER NEWS
The IOC and the NOC of Panama met on 25 June in Lausanne. The main purpose of this meeting was to follow up on the IOC visit to Panama in April and to consider the next steps in assisting the NOC of Panama to clarify its internal situation in view of the next NOC elections, which will be held in December 2012.

The IOC, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Samsung, one of the IOC’s TOP partners, have launched a major two-year programme to distribute sports kits to over 15,000 young refugees in 20 countries in Asia, Africa and America. Last week, the programme was launched in India (New Delhi) and South Africa (Cape Town and Limpopo province), where more than 17,000 and 59,000 young asylum-seekers and refugees respectively will benefit from the distribution of sports kits.

The IOC has launched an innovative TV spot as part of its “Show Your Best” global campaign and video competition to help build involvement with the Olympic Movement among young people and create the next generation of Olympic fans. This spot will be broadcast before Olympic events in the stadiums throughout the London Games, including at the Opening Ceremony, and at LiveSites across the UK. It will also appear on the IOC’s YouTube channel and other social media sites.

INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FEDERATIONS
SUMMER IFS
The schedule for the men’s and women’s handball competitions at the London Games has recently been unveiled. This indicates the dates on which the teams will compete in the preliminary rounds of the tournament at the Copper Box in the Olympic Park.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has announced the full list of participants – representing 45 nations – for the London Games tennis events from 28 July to 5 August at the All England Club in Wimbledon. Sixty-five players will compete in the singles event. Thirty-two teams will take part in the (men’s and women’s) doubles events. Mixed doubles will be on the Olympic programme for the first time since 1924, with 16 teams.

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has announced that 63 nations will be represented in the London Games sailing competition. In total, 380 athletes will compete in the Olympic events.

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has unveiled the schedule for the Olympic tournament in London this summer. The women’s competition will begin on 28 June at Earls Court, with Japan against Algeria. For the men, the competition will start the next day with Great Britain versus Bulgaria.

WINTER IFS
The International Ski Federation (FIS) has announced the death of Swedish cross-country legend Nils “Mora-Nisse” Karlsson at the age of 94. Karlsson won the famous Vasaloppet 90km-race - the finish of which was in his home town of Mora - nine times. He was Olympic champion in the 50km event in 1948 in St Moritz. During his career, he won 17 individual titles in the Swedish championships.

In addition, the FIS Congress met recently in Kangwonland (Republic of Korea), and affiliated Eritrea, Haiti, the British Virgin Islands, Palestine and Togo as associate members of the FIS.

NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES
In Bogota, Olympic Day on 23 June brought together many children, accompanied by their parents, who took part in various activities offered by the Colombian NOC. They were also able to have photos taken with athletes qualified for the 2012 Games, climbing the podium in front of a poster of the London Olympic Stadium. Everyone went home with an Olympic Day diploma.

On 23 June, thousands of youngsters celebrated Olympic Day at the Costa Rican NOC headquarters. Numerous activities were on offer such as climbing, trampolining, clown face painting, and races around the NOC gardens. All the children wore Olympic Day T-shirts. On the same day, in the presence of the President of the Republic, Laura Chinchilla Miranda, the Costa Rican delegations who will compete at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London officially swore an oath to their country. Marathon runner Gabriela Traña Trigueros will be the delegation’s flag-bearer at the Opening Ceremony on 27 July.

In the June edition of the “ANOCA Update”, the newsletter from the Association of the NOCs of Africa (ANOCA), it is reported that the National Youth and Sports Institute of Côte d’Ivoire recently received sports equipment from the NOC of Germany. A ceremony was held at the Côte d’Ivoire NOC headquarters in the presence of Thomas Bach, German NOC President and IOC Vice-President, as well as Lassana Palenfo, Côte d’Ivoire NOC President and an IOC member. This donation comprised sports equipment for athletics, football, basketball, volleyball and handball.

This year, the French NOC wanted to incorporate Olympic Day into its Sporting and Cultural Olympic Programme, by inviting its overseas territories to take part in various ways. With a London Games theme, the 2012 edition was organised by 22 departmental committees, 7 regional committees and one territorial committee, bringing together thousands of participants.

The Hellenic NOC and the National Olympic Academy organised an Olympic Day celebration on 23 June in Thessaloniki. Also on the programme were cycling and rowing races. Olympians gave speeches to the participants of all ages. A collection of equipment and clothes was organised to benefit those in need.

The Olympic Day Run was a great success in Hong Kong. Organised on 24 June, it brought together 5,000 people who responded to the invitation by the NOC of Hong Kong. Also taking part were 23 teams made up of sponsors, partners, national sports associations and athletes. Lucky draws, games, marching bands, dancing and rope skipping were also on the programme of festivities.

The “Honesty in Sport” contest, launched by the Giulio Onesti Foundation, in collaboration with the Italian NOC and the Ministry for Education, Universities and Research, saw hundreds of pieces of artistic expression historical document work produced by schools across the country. The winners were a school from Mantua, with a rap inviting people to share the values of sport, and a school from Catania, with a painting which, symbolically, stamps out doping. The winners were received on 22 June in Rome at the CONI headquarters, by the President of the Franco Carraro Foundation. Their prize was a trip to London during the Games for five of them.

On the same day, at a ceremony organised at the Quirinal Palace, the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, presented the national flag to Valentina Vezzali, the Olympic delegation’s flag-bearer for London, and Oscar De Pellegrin, the Paralympic flag-bearer. Some 80 athletes from the London Olympic delegation attended the ceremony, as did CONI President Gianni Petrucci among others. Giorgio Napolitano also awarded the Order of Sporting Merit to four athletes who competed at the London 1948 Games: Franco Faggi and Giuseppe Moioli (rowing), Carlo Monti (athletics) and Giovanni Rocca (flag-bearer).

In the framework of the Olympic Day “festas” organised by the Japanese NOC, the city of Iwaki (Fukushima Prefecture), celebrated Olympic Day on 23 June (photo). It was the 16th event out of the 60 that will be held by the end of 2013 with the slogan “Smiles Come from Sports”, sponsored by the IOC/Olympic Council of Asia “Tsubasa” support project.

To date, 5,000 children have taken part in these “festas” across the whole of Japan. These events are aimed at supporting children affected by the earthquake of March 2011. Besides collecting funds and equipment, the NOC launched a five-year project to send Olympic and Paralympic athletes to young people in the affected areas. This Sports Kokoro Project is set to visit 542 schools and put smiles on the faces of some 46,000 schoolchildren.

On 23 June in Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian NOC celebrated Olympic Day, its 50th anniversary and Mongolian Athletes’ Day. Many personalities were present, including Head of State Ts. Elbegdorj, Deputy Prime Minister M. Enkhbold, NOC President Demchigjav Zagdsuren and IOC honorary member Shagdarjav Magvan. The Head of State handed the national flag to marathon runner B. Ser-Od, flag-bearer for London. Some 29 Mongolian athletes will compete at the Games this summer.

On 24 June, over 5,000 people took part in the 25th Olympic Day Run organised by the Peruvian NOC and the Peruvian Sports Institute, under the patronage of Samsung Peru. Those present included NOC President Jose Quiñones González, the Institute’s President, Francisco Boza Dibos, and IOC member Iván Dibos. On this same day, the winners of the 22nd Drawing and Painting Contest received their prizes. On 30 June, a race will also take place in 21 cities across the country, with the participation of over 10,000 people.

In the June edition of the “ANOCA Update”, we learned that, to celebrate Olympic Day, the São Tome and Principe NOC decided to organise a series of events from 21 to 24 June. Besides the purely sports activities, the other highlight was the inauguration of the new NOC headquarters, a library and a large open space for leisure and sports activities.

For more information, please contact the IOC Media Relations Team.

Olympic Flame to Travel on the Heights of Abraham Cable Car

Day 42: Olympic Flame to Travel on the Heights of Abraham Cable Car and Visit Chatsworth House on Journey From Nottingham to Derby

On Friday 29 June, the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung – will travel 112.40 miles through 12 communities on its journey from Nottingham to Derby.

(PRWEB) June 29, 2012

On Friday 29 June, the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung – will travel 112.40 miles through 12 communities on its journey from Nottingham to Derby.

• Today ( 29 June) the Relay will travel 112.40 miles
• 98 Torchbearers will carry the Flame, including 1948 Boxing Olympian Donald Scott and World Superbike champion James Toseland
• Evening celebration to take place at Darley Abbey Park, Derby
• Images from today can be downloaded here

The Relay will travel through the following communities: Nottingham, Newstead, Glapwell, Bolsover, Calow, Chesterfield, Matlock, Darley Dale, Bakewell, Buxton, Ashbourne, Derby.

Highlights for today include:

8.14am – Nottingham Castle. The first Torchbearer of the day is Barbara Green, 58, from the Clifton Estate, Nottingham. Barbara will carry the flame through the grounds of Nottingham Castle to the Robin Hood Statue. Barbara was nominated by Nottingham City Council though the LOCOG campaign. She has volunteered in the local community for many years helping young people, particularly those with special educational needs.

10.33am – Newstead Abbey. The flame will be carried through the grounds of Newstead Abbey by Samuel Van de Schootbrugge, 19, from Nottingham. Samuel was nominated by Lloyds TSB as an Olympic hopeful. Samuel, who held a 200m individual swimming medley record, was selected because of his commitment and dedication to his sport of swimming and inspiring his peers through coaching and giving presentations to younger swimmers in his community. Samuel is an athlete on the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes programme.

2.20pm - The Flame will be carried on the Heights of Abraham Cable Car by Dominick Cunningham. Dominick, a last minute replacement to Team GB for the 2011 European Youth Olympic Games, got off to a fantastic start by taking the Gymnastics Team silver with teammates Frank Baines and Courtney Tulloch with a combined to score 164.950 just behind Russia with 165.400 and ahead of Switzerland – 163.700. At Youth Commonwealth Games later that summer Cunningham was the most successful gymnast in Games winning three Golds, one Silver and a Bronze.

3.37pm - Chatsworth House, Bakewell. The Torch will be carried through the grounds of Chatsworth House by Ben Hope, 17, of Buxton. Buxton Park Bowling Club nominated Ben through Samsung’s campaign, in recognition of his fund-raising efforts. He cycled 150 miles across England in 2009, raising £1,500 to support the work of two local neonatal Intensive care Units and a neonatal transport team who were involved with the life-saving care of his three year old sister, when she was born three months premature. In 2010 he cycled 250 miles across Scotland, raising £350 towards the refurbishment of the Bowling Club. This year, he and two of his friends, have cycled across England, again, raising £1,000 for Help For Heroes.

Ben will hand the Flame in front of Chatsworth House to Helen Hopkinson, 33, from Nottingham who was nominated through the LOCOG campaign. Helen gives her time to a number of cancer charities and in 2010 she was signed up as a Cancer Campaigns Ambassador for Cancer Research UK. Towards the end of 2010 Helen met with her MP to discuss the importance of early detection of cancer and asked that he speak to the Secretary of State for Health on the issue. Following this campaign (involving over 70 Ambassadors) extra funding was secured for early diagnosis as well as a commitment to record diagnosis data more consistently.

7.20pm – Darley Abbey Park, Derby, Evening Celebration. The final Torchbearer of the day will be James Toseland, 31. James, who is Donington Park’s official ambassador for the 2012 race and track day season, was the youngest ever World Superbike Champion at 23. He is two times World Superbike Champion and retired from racing in 2011 due to injury. He is one of Britain’s most successful motorcycle racers.

The evening celebration will take place in Darley Abbey Park will feature a variety of entertainment staged by LOCOG and the three Presenting Partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay - Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung - with support from Derby City Council. The evening will begin at 5.30pm and finish by 8pm.

The line-up includes music from Loick Essien, a dance troupe who will provide a unique fusion of street performance, theatre and sport and dance act Twist and Pulse.

Towards the end of the show the final torchbearer of the day, James Toseland, will light a celebration cauldron on stage at the event which will enable the Olympic Flame to be seen by the audience.

Torchbearer Highlights

Barbara Green, 58, from Nottingham and carrying the Flame in Nottingham. Born in Nottingham, Barbara, who was nominated by Nottingham City Council through the LOCOG campaign, has lived on the Clifton Estate since 1961 and has always been involved in her local community. When her boys were younger, Barbara became a parent volunteer at Swansdown Infants followed by Milford Junior School. Barbara also ran a Girls Brigade Company at the local Methodist Church for many years and was the secretary for the Clifton Carnival Committee as well as helping to set up the Clifton Comets Motorcycle Club. Having volunteered for 6 years at Brinkhill Primary she moved to Farnborough Secondary School she was offered the support teacher role that she currently holds. She commenced running a Duke of Edinburgh project at the school in her own time, providing additional sessions for young people with special educational needs.

Kaylet Smedley, 80, will carry the flame in Bolsover. Kaylet was selected through the LOCOG public nomination campaign. She has been the chairperson of the Derbyshire branch of the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research Fund since 1968. Kaylet started the branch following the death of her son Andrew, who was eight years old, from Leukaemia. Under Kaylet`s leadership the Derbyshire branch has raised over £1 million for Leukaemia and Lymphoma research. Despite advancing years she remains a vigorous organiser and an inspiration to her team of volunteers.

David Raizada, 60, from Chesterfield, will carry the flame in Bolsover. David was nominated through the Lloyds TSB public nomination campaign. He set up and runs The Youth of Barlborough Club (YOB). In the six years since the project’s inception almost 500 different young people in the age range 8 to 16 have attended. David is also chair of the local Sports Action Group which promotes all age sports participation across the community.

Katy Wilson, 16, from Nottingham, will carry the Flame in Calow. Nominated through the Samsung campaign for not letting her Cystic Fibrosis stop her playing tennis every day. She has represented Derbyshire, reaching number on in the county for Under 16s. Her aim is to become a tennis coach and she already helps train younger players at her club. She never complains about her condition or expects special treatment – many of the other players don’t even realise that she has Cystic Fibrosis.

Joel Knight, 16, is carrying the Flame in Chesterfield. Teenage swimming sensation Joel Knight set a new personal best in claiming the 1500m freestyle title in Turkey at the 2011 European Youth Olympic Festival, nearly ten seconds ahead of his nearest challenger. Prior to the Festival, he came an incredible fourth in the 1500m freestyle at the British Swimming Championships in Manchester in March last year, behind race winner Olympic silver medallist David Davies. That swim made him the fastest 1500m swimmer for his age in British history.

Donald Scott, 83, from Derby is an inspirational Boxing Olympian having competed in the 1948 Olympic Games which was the first Games after World War II, with very little support or resource to do so. Donald who is carrying the Flame in Derby won the silver medal at Light Heavyweight. He subsequently won the Empire Games gold medal in Auckland. He served in the Royal Military Police during national service. He boxed professionally as a heavyweight and was managed by Bob Curley. He was a big enough name from his amateur career to box in London at the Albert Hall. He continued his interest in boxing in the Derby area and was involved in coaching. He regularly attended both amateur and professional boxing events in Derby and preferred to sit quietly at the back rather than be presented in the ring.

James Williams, Director, Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola Northwest Europe & Nordics, said: ‘Today, more Coca-Cola Future Flames will help us celebrate the forty-second day of our amazing journey, including Alex Brooks and Amy Wardle who carry the Olympic Flame in Bakewell and Glapwell. We will also get everyone to Move to the Beat tonight as we bring Loick Essien to the stage in Derby.’

Sally Hancock, Director, London 2012 Partnership at Lloyds Banking Group, said: ‘The Olympic Torch Relay has had a phenomenal reception in each community is has touched and Lloyds TSB is proud to be creating as many opportunities as possible for people to get involved as the Olympic Flame passes their door, and we’re particularly excited to be welcoming the Flame to our National School Sport Week event at Ellis Guilford School in Nottingham. We’re calling on everyone to cheer their local Lloyds TSB Torchbearers – extraordinary people like David Raizada, carrying the Flame in Bolsover. Our troupe of performers, the Flame Followers, are lighting up the celebrations along the route ahead of the Relay before their Flame Followers Spectacular at Derby.’

Sunny Hwang, Vice President & Head of Global Sports Marketing, Samsung Electronics, said: ‘Samsung's Olympic Torch Relay campaign shares the Olympic spirit and encourages everyone to take part in London 2012. Samsung has offered an inspiring opportunity to people around the world to carry the Olympic Flame, as part of our ambition to make London 2012 Everyone's Olympic Games.’

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office.

Notes to editors:

Each day two short packages of broadcast footage will be made available. The packages will be available via the Footage library – accessible from the Media Centre on london2012.com and direct from this linkhttp://footagelibrary.london2012.com. Media will need to register for access in advance. Registration is free.

The broadcast of the Olympic Torch Relay is provided for Editorial Use Only. There can be no commercial association, no third party association and no commercial/ad superimposition on the video footage, unless the prior written consent of the IOC is acquired.

About the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Presenting Partners:

As the longest standing Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola will be using its heritage and experience to spread excitement across the UK ahead of London 2012. Coca-Cola's national nomination campaign - Future Flames – has focused on finding inspirational young people from across the country to have the once in a lifetime opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame. This summer Coca-Cola will celebrate these Future Flames: young people who use their passions in areas like sport and physical activity, music and dance, and community and the environment; to spread happiness in their local communities.

As the only National Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Lloyds TSB will be taking the inspiration and excitement of the Olympic Flame right to the heart of communities across the UK. As part of Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of Scotland will be the National Presenting Partner in Scotland. We are creating as many opportunities as possible for communities the length and breadth of the UK to get involved as the Flame travels past their front doors.

Lloyds Banking Group is Britain’s biggest corporate investor in UK communities and in 2011 invested £85 million and as part of the Group’s Community Investment Programme, we’ve launched the Lloyds Banking Group Community Fund to give back to the communities in which we operate and pass through on our journey with the Olympic Flame. We’re inviting everyone to visit the Lloyds TSB stand at each Evening Celebration to vote for a community project in their area that inspires and supports young people. By voting at the Evening Celebration members of the public will automatically enter a draw to win four tickets to London 2012. The two projects that receive the most votes at each locality will each win a £5,000 grant from Lloyds Banking Group. At the Lloyds TSB site members of the public will also have the opportunity to have their photo taken with the Olympic Torch, meet Lloyds TSB Local Heroes – the future stars of Team GB and ParalympicsGB – and get up close to our Flame Followers. To find out how you can join in the celebrations with Lloyds TSB.

As a Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Samsung aims to encourage everyone to be part of the greatest show on Earth to make London 2012 ‘Everyone’s Olympic Games.’ We aspire to offer new and memorable experiences for everyone around the world through our own innovative and smart wireless technology. Samsung is providing 1,360 Torchbearers, who have “gone the extra mile” by contributing to the local communities, through its worldwide public nomination campaign. In total over 25,000 nominations were received. Samsung will support towns and cities to celebrate the exciting moment of the Torch Relay and help showcase Great Britain’s cultural landmarks to provide a more enjoyable experience to everyone. The evening celebrations that will be staged by Samsung in 66 towns and cities throughout the Olympic Flame’s journey across the UK, will allow Samsung to entertain the community they are visiting. The Samsung caravan, complete with LED screen on the side showcasing runners and goodwill messages, will follow the Torchbearers around the UK cheering up everyone to celebrate the Torch Relay with music and interaction with local communities. It is Samsung’s ambition that London 2012 will be an event that reaches and involves more people than on any other Olympic Games occasion.

The Supporters of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay are:

Worldwide Olympic Partners Procter and Gamble and Visa, Tier One Partners adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT and EDF, Tier Three Providers Aggreko, Holiday Inn and NATURE VALLEY.

The BBC will be providing extensive coverage of the Torch Relay on television, radio and online. This will include special Breakfast shows on every BBC local radio station, and extended live coverage of an evening celebration event in every Nation and English Region. Full details of the coverage will be at bbc.co.uk/2012.

Last November LOCOG launched a grassroots programme inviting the nations Local Leaders to step forward and start planning local celebrations to celebrate the spirit of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Today there are over 14,000 London 2012 Local Leaders across the country planning community events to Line the Streets for the Olympic Torch Relay.

In the East Midlands 649 people have signed up as Local Leaders, like John Coulson from Matlock, Derbyshire. John has organised for six A-Level Art students from Highfield School, with help from local artist Tess Willoughby, to design and paint a mural wall of Olympic sports at the top of the Heights of Abraham cable car attraction. This will be unveiled to the public at 2:30pm on Friday as the Torch is carried by one of the Torchbearers, 17 year old gymnast Dominick Cunningham to the summit on one of the cable cars. People are advised to catch the cable car before 1:30pm to ensure they make the summit for this occasion. For more information on Local Leaders, getting tools to help you bring together your family, friends or community celebrate moments such as the Opening Ceremony, Super Saturday, the Paralympic Torch Relay and the Last Night of the Games, visithttp://www.london2012.com/localleaders. Local Leader contact detail - John(at)heightsofabraham(dot)com 07702 369729

London 2012 Games partners:

The Worldwide Olympic Partners who support the London 2012 Olympic Games and the National Olympic Committees around the world are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos, Dow Chemical Company, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Procter and Gamble, Samsung and Visa.

LOCOG has seven domestic Tier One Partners - adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. There are seven domestic Tier Two Supporters – Adecco, ArcelorMittal, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte, Thomas Cook and UPS.

There are now twenty-eight domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers – Aggreko, Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, CBS Outdoor, Crystal CG, Eurostar, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, G4S, GSK, Gymnova, Heathrow Airport, Heineken UK, Holiday Inn, John Lewis, McCann Worldgroup, Mondo, NATURE VALLEY, Next, Nielsen, Populous, Rapiscan Systems, Rio Tinto, Technogym, Thames Water, Ticketmaster, Trebor and Westfield

Olympic Flame Visit Lincoln Cathedral

Day 41: Olympic Flame to Visit Lincoln Cathedral and Sherwood Forest on Its Journey From Lincoln to Nottingham

On Thursday 28 June, the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung – will travel 100.4 miles through 17 communities on its journey from Lincoln to Nottingham.

(PRWEB) June 28, 2012

On Thursday 28 June, the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung – will travel 100.4 miles through 17 communities on its journey from Lincoln to Nottingham.

*Today the Relay will travel 100.4 miles
*107 Torchbearers will carry the Flame
*Evening celebration to take place at Old Market Square in Nottingham
*Images from today can be downloaded here

The Relay will travel through the following communities: Lincoln, Saxilby, Darlton, East Markham, Tuxford, Kirton, Boughton, Edwinstowe, Mansfield, Kelham, Newark-on-Trent, Balderton, Belton House, Grantham, Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottingham and West Bridgford.

Highlights for today include:

7:57am – The first Torchbearer of the day will be Dorothy Fraser, 75, who was nominated by the City of Lincoln Council through the LOCOG campaign. Dorothy will carry the Flame through Minster Yard, next to Lincoln Cathedral. Dorothy has been nominated for her inspirational contribution to sport which includes holding every record for sprinting within the Lincoln Wellington Athletic Club. Dot continues to compete in running tournaments all over the world.    

10:51am – The Flame will visit Major Oak in Nottingham’s Sherwood Forest, an oak tree which is between 800 and 1,000 years old and be carried by Torchbearer Laura Graves, 16 from Grantham. Laura was nominated for her outstanding sporting accomplishments, inspirational work with young people around the Olympic legacy and her work with the local Guides and Brownies. Laura will have a photo opportunity next to “Robin Hood” at Major Oak.

Twenty young people selected through the LOCOG International Inspiration programme will run in two teams of ten in Radcliffe on Trent and Nottingham. One Torchbearer was selected from each of the 20 countries which are part of the programme, from Azerbaijan to Zambia. International Inspiration is London 2012’s international legacy programme which provides sport and play opportunities to over 12 million children in 20 countries around the world. The programme was born out of the promise made in Singapore to reach young people around the world and inspire them to choose sport and is delivered by the British Council, Unicef UK and UK Sport.

5:12pm – Torchbearer Adam White, aged 21 from Nottingham will travel in a rowing boat with the Flame across the water at the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham. Adam was nominated for his exceptional sporting achievements in trampolining. Adam coaches voluntarily for 9 hours every week at a local trampolining club and also offers his time to local schools.

6:23pm – Former Olympic champions and figure-skating duo Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean will take to the ice at Nottingam Ice Arena to perform a specially choreographed routine with the Torch in hand.

6:55pm – The last Torchbearers of the day will be Torvill and Dean who having completed the routine at the Ice Arena will then light the cauldron at the evening celebration.

The evening celebration will take place at Old Market Square in Nottingham City Centre and begin at 5:15pm. The event will feature a variety of entertainment staged by LOCOG and the three Presenting Partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay - Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung - with support from Nottingham City Council.    

Local talent will shine during two special music, theatre and dance performances entitled 'Heroes of Nottingham' celebrating the achievements of some of the city's iconic sporting and cultural heroes. The piece entitled 'Heroes of Nottingham' has been choreographed by Dance4 and Lakeside Arts Centre.

Lloyds TSB Flame Followers Spectacular’ will feature their troupe of performers who will travel along the route of the 70 day Olympic Torch Relay. Their performance is a unique fusion of street performance, theatre and sport - celebrating the endeavour, athleticism, agility and skill of our national Olympic sporting heroes, Team GB Coca-Cola will bring the singer, Loick Essien to the evening celebration, whilst ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ finalists Twist & Pulse have been chosen by Samsung to invite the nation to take part in the Olympic Games experience at each of the 66 Evening Celebration events across the country.

James Williams, Director, Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola Northwest Europe & Nordics, said: “Today, more Coca-Cola Future Flames will help us celebrate the forty-first day of our amazing journey, including Daniel Whittingham and Keeley Shaw who carry the Olympic Flame in Nottingham and Boughton. We will also get everyone to Move to the Beat tonight as we bring Loick Essien to the stage in Nottingham.”

Sally Hancock, Director, London 2012 Partnership at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “We are proud to be bringing the excitement of London 2012 to communities along the route of the Olympic Torch Relay. Lloyds TSB is creating as many opportunities as possible for people to get involved as the Olympic Flame passes their door. We’re calling on everyone to cheer on their local Lloyds TSB Torchbearers – extraordinary people like Tom Baptist, carrying the Flame in Nottingham. The Lloyds TSB Flame Followers will also light up the route ahead of the Flame, before their Flame Followers Spectacular performance in Nottingham tonight.”

Sunny Hwang, Vice President & Head of Global Sports Marketing, Samsung Electronics, said: “Samsung is delighted to be a Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay as it has given us the perfect opportunity to encourage everyone from all around the world to be involved in the Olympic Games.”

Torchbearer highlights:

Daniel Whittingham, 26, from Gamston. Selected through the Coca-Cola Future Flames programme, Daniel lost a leg in 2011 whilst serving in Afghanistan. Rather than let the horrific circumstances he was left with overcome him, Daniel used his injury to enrich his life and take up a number of sports including kayaking, cycling and roller-skating. In August 2011 Daniel represented GB Paracanoe at the World Championships and in December he was in a crew of six injured and uninjured service personnel to row the Atlantic. A truly inspirational character, Daniel has tattooed the saying 'the measure of a man is his ability to rise again' on his arm. He's an active member of the community and provides talks to school children and injury groups.

Tom Baptist, 28 from Nottingham, nominated through Lloyds TSB's public nomination campaign runs and implements the outreach work for a residential youth centre in Derbyshire called The Briars. His job involves visiting schools across the Nottingham Diocese (that's FIVE counties) & teaching, engaging & inspiring young people about issues that affect them today.

Jillian Stidever, 75, from Boughton. Jill is involved with disability swimming from grassroots right through to a national level for over fifty years. Jill has a real passion for developing the appropriate opportunities for young people. Through Jill, many young swimmers have developed their skills and competed up to Paralympic level. Jill coaches swimmers and also accompanies them to all levels of competitions. Jill is extremely dedicated to supporting schools, both mainstream and special, gives her time to support their young swimmers. Jill can often be seen in a swimming pool with a child who, for them, even a few basic swimming skills is an enormous challenge. Jill has worked with swimmers with cerebral palsy for many years and currently coaches people at all levels. Jill delivers development days aimed at parents, teachers, teaching assistants, swimming coaches, and volunteers. The Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport (LRS) Parallel Youth Games programme has benefited from the influence of Jill who has been involved in the planning of the event and running it as Competition Manager. Jill has used her influence with schools and parents to ensure that young people have the opportunity to participate. Over 50 years of passionate coaching, officiating and mentoring of young swimmers from Jill Stidever MBE, at a young 74 years of age makes her an outstanding candidate to be a Torchbearer in 2012.

International Inspiration case studies

UGANDA: Catherine, 16 years old. Catherine’s race for life began in the arid environment of Karamoja, north eastern Uganda. At first, her 'training' consisted of running to fetch water and firewood, and to school and back. In 2010, in her final year at primary school, she participated in the East African Championships in Khartoum, Sudan where she finished sixth. This experience has motivated her to continue to train as a long distance runner and to encourage other young people to choose sport; she has spoken on the benefits of sport at a school assembly and now plans to become a full-time Athletics Coach in the future.
BANGLADESH: Shoriful, 18 years old. Shoriful is a Community Swimming Instructor teaching survival swimming skills. One of his eight year old students went on to save the life of another drowning child after learning survival swimming techniques with Shoriful. Having developed his leadership skills as a Swimming Instructor, Shoriful has subsequently been proactive in motivating and mobilizing his peers to engage in various activities promoting social change including actions to prevent child marriage and trafficking and to decrease school drop-out rates. He hopes that the opportunity to become an Olympic Torch Bearer will help him continue to improve his standing within his local community.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Shaquille, 18 years old. International Inspiration is working in Trinidad and Tobago to combat issues of gang violence and anti-social behaviour, and address a lack of opportunities for young people to develop important life skills. Shaquille is a shining example of a young man whose aspirations have been raised by sport. The programme has helped him to focus on both his school work and sporting activities, improve his organisational skills and enabled him to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the World Championships in Dragon Boat Racing in July 2011. His dream is to become an Olympic runner and a pilot.

INDIA: Pinky, 19 years old. Pinky is an International Inspiration Young Leader in her village of Barbaruah in North Eastern India. Pinky runs sports session at her school for the children and young people of her migrant tea plucker community, encouraging them to participate actively in sport and talking to their parents about how sport can play a vital role in their child’s education and social development. She also advocates on pertinent social issues such as child marriage, alcoholism and adult literacy at community meetings. After becoming aware of the level of illiteracy in her community, Pinky is now working to re-start the night school in her community which shut down 18 years ago to teach adults basic literacy skills. She has become an inspiring role model for other children and young people in her community.

PALAU: Jack, 14 years old. Jack is a keen runner and basketball player and has come to value and appreciate an active lifestyle. Palau as a nation struggles with an obesity problems among young people. As an overweight child, sport is helping to change his approach to life. His lifestyle change has been an inspiration to his schoolmates, teachers, and the small community he lives in. He and his increased confidence are a wonderful example of the benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle physically, mentally, and emotionally. He has been inspired by sport to become involved in the organisation of an after school sports club, complete with competitions, and to represent his school as a member of its basketball team.

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office.

Notes to editors:

Each day two short packages of broadcast footage will be made available. The packages will be available via the Footage library – accessible from the Media Centre on london2012.com and direct from this linkhttp://footagelibrary.london2012.com. Media will need to register for access in advance. Registration is free.

The broadcast of the Olympic Torch Relay is provided for Editorial Use Only. There can be no commercial association, no third party association and no commercial/ad superimposition on the video footage, unless the prior written consent of the IOC is acquired.

About the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Presenting Partners:

As the longest standing Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola will be using its heritage and experience to spread excitement across the UK ahead of London 2012. Coca-Cola's national nomination campaign - Future Flames – has focused on finding inspirational young people from across the country to have the once in a lifetime opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame. This summer Coca-Cola will celebrate these Future Flames: young people who use their passions in areas like sport and physical activity, music and dance, and community and the environment; to spread happiness in their local communities.

As the only National Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Lloyds TSB will be taking the inspiration and excitement of the Olympic Flame right to the heart of communities across the UK. As part of Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of Scotland will be the National Presenting Partner in Scotland. We are creating as many opportunities as possible for communities the length and breadth of the UK to get involved as the Flame travels past their front doors.

Lloyds Banking Group is Britain’s biggest corporate investor in UK communities and in 2011 invested £85 million and as part of the Group’s Community Investment Programme, we’ve launched the Lloyds Banking Group Community Fund to give back to the communities in which we operate and pass through on our journey with the Olympic Flame. We’re inviting everyone to visit the Lloyds TSB stand at each Evening Celebration to vote for a community project in their area that inspires and supports young people. By voting at the Evening Celebration members of the public will automatically enter a draw to win four tickets to London 2012. The two projects that receive the most votes at each locality will each win a £5,000 grant from Lloyds Banking Group. At the Lloyds TSB site members of the public will also have the opportunity to have their photo taken with the Olympic Torch, meet Lloyds TSB Local Heroes – the future stars of Team GB and ParalympicsGB – and get up close to our Flame Followers. To find out how you can join in the celebrations with Lloyds TSB.

As a Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Samsung aims to encourage everyone to be part of the greatest show on Earth to make London 2012 ‘Everyone’s Olympic Games.’ We aspire to offer new and memorable experiences for everyone around the world through our own innovative and smart wireless technology. Samsung is providing 1,360 Torchbearers, who have “gone the extra mile” by contributing to the local communities, through its worldwide public nomination campaign. In total over 25,000 nominations were received. Samsung will support towns and cities to celebrate the exciting moment of the Torch Relay and help showcase Great Britain’s cultural landmarks to provide a more enjoyable experience to everyone. The evening celebrations that will be staged by Samsung in 66 towns and cities throughout the Olympic Flame’s journey across the UK, will allow Samsung to entertain the community they are visiting. The Samsung caravan, complete with LED screen on the side showcasing runners and goodwill messages, will follow the Torchbearers around the UK cheering up everyone to celebrate the Torch Relay with music and interaction with local communities. It is Samsung’s ambition that London 2012 will be an event that reaches and involves more people than on any other Olympic Games occasion.

The Supporters of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay are:
Worldwide Olympic Partners Procter and Gamble and Visa, Tier One Partners adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT and EDF, Tier Three Providers Aggreko, Holiday Inn and NATURE VALLEY.

The BBC will be providing extensive coverage of the Torch Relay on television, radio and online. This will include special Breakfast shows on every BBC local radio station, and extended live coverage of an evening celebration event in every Nation and English Region. Full details of the coverage will be at bbc.co.uk/2012.

London 2012 Games partners:
The Worldwide Olympic Partners who support the London 2012 Olympic Games and the National Olympic Committees around the world are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos, Dow Chemical Company, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Procter and Gamble, Samsung and Visa.

LOCOG has seven domestic Tier One Partners - adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. There are seven domestic Tier Two Supporters – Adecco, ArcelorMittal, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte, Thomas Cook and UPS.

There are now twenty-eight domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers – Aggreko, Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, CBS Outdoor, Crystal CG, Eurostar, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, G4S, GSK, Gymnova, Heathrow Airport, Heineken UK, Holiday Inn, John Lewis, McCann Worldgroup, Mondo, NATURE VALLEY, Next, Nielsen, Populous, Rapiscan Systems, Rio Tinto, Technogym, Thames Water, Ticketmaster, Trebor and Westfield

One Month to Go London 2012 Olympic

One Month to Go Until the London 2012 Olympic Games

With only a month to go to the London 2012 Olympic Games the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has today officially opened the Main Press Centre (MPC) which will host up to 6,000 accredited press and photographic media during Games time.

(PRWEB) June 27, 2012

With only a month to go to the London 2012 Olympic Games the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has today officially opened the Main Press Centre (MPC) which will host up to 6,000 accredited press and photographic media during Games time.

• London 2012’s first venue on the Olympic Park open for business
• Plan to entertain and educate spectators revealed
• ‘Rock The Games’ programme will see release of new Muse track ‘Survival’ and four other official songs inspired by the Games
• Scissor Sisters and Rizzle Kicks are among artists to play surprise gigs at London 2012 venues

Download images here

The MPC will provide 31,000 square metres of office space across four floors of workspace for journalists, photographers, accredited non-rights holding broadcasters, as well as IOC and LOCOG staff during the Games. Across the Games it will be open for 52 days with the Catering Village serving an estimated 480,000 meals and 1.6 million cups of tea over 24 hours a day.

The MPC will become a ‘home from home’ for the world’s media with state-of-the-art media facilities to ensure media can report on the Games. A 200 metre-long High Street will feature a range of shops and services including a post office and dry cleaners, pharmacy and general store.

LOCOG Chair Sebastian Coe said: ‘Like the athletes competing at London 2012, the world’s writers and photographers who will be based in the MPC are at the top of their profession. We will offer them state of the art facilities so they can tell the extraordinary stories that will come out of the Games. This is our first venue on the Olympic Park to open for business and we are ready to welcome the world’s media as they come and set up their office.’

With the sporting action a mere month away, LOCOG has also announced today that spectators attending the Games will be treated to a programme of comprehensive and innovative sport presentation for the Games, including in-ear commentary, music, presenters for different sports - and a few other surprises.

The sports presentation experience for spectators is set to entertain and educate, reflecting the London 2012 vision of connecting more young people with sport. Each venue will have a tailored sports presentation programme offering different experiences best suited to sports - ensuring the spectator experience is as good as possible.

A music library of 2012 songs with five music themes – energy, primetime, extreme, heritage and world stage – has been compiled. Each theme will be tailored for specific sports, for example heritage for Tennis at Wimbledon or extreme for BMX.

A unique music programme for the Olympic Games, ‘Rock the Games’ is being created which features live performances and exclusive new recorded tracks from various artists.

Five official songs have been composed for ‘Rock The Games’, led by chart-topping band Muse whose track 'Survival' has been written for the Games and will be played at various sport sessions. The track is available for download from Thursday 28th June. The other four official songs are by Elton John vs Pnau (released July 16th) Delphic (released July 23rd), Chemical Brothers (released July 30th) and Dizzee Rascal (released August 6th).

In addition, Scissor Sisters and Rizzle Kicks are just two of the artists that are set to play surprise gigs at some of the Olympic venues.

Other London 2012 venues will see exciting performances from leading dancers including the English National Ballet and street crews choreographed by Peridot. Acrobatics, cheerleading from Newham’s Ascension Eagles, sport demonstrations and sport skills’ shows including jump rope from Get Tricky. Music will also be provided by military bands from the Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force and DJs providing a lively entertainment programme for spectators.

Films, including ‘Sport A-Z’ for Olympic and Paralympic sports, will be shown before each session allowing spectators to get an overview of the sport in a dynamic and engaging way. The films will use actions shots of former and current athletes as well as graphical animations and motion capture avatars demonstrating the sports.

All venues will have presenters who will act as anchors in venues, appearing on the big screens. They will host each session and guide the spectators through all the key sporting elements, interacting with the crowd, interviewing attending athletes and celebrities and keeping everyone informed of key timings. There will be a mixture of established presenters including Ben Shephard and Gethin Jones as well as up and coming talent such as Aissetou N’gom. Other young presenters were also recruited through universities, sports clubs, drama and performing arts groups throughout the UK - over 750 budding presenters applied to work at the Games and 13 were selected to be part of the London 2012 presenting team.

As well as announcers and commentators, a number of venues will have in-ear commentary radios available for purchase by spectators, giving access to live expert analysis of the competition. The radio will be available for sports where a number of elements are happening simultaneously on the field of play or where there are judged elements which may not be easily understandable for those new to the sport. All commentators will complete a workshop with the RNIB to make sure that the commentary will also be useful for sight impaired visitors.

Debbie Jevans, Director of Sport said: ‘Inspiring people to engage with sport has always been central to our vision. There are 26 Olympic sports and many people will be seeing these for the first time so we will explain some of the intricacies in an innovative and informative way. We also want to ensure the way we present sport adds to the experience of the spectators in the venues and builds the atmosphere. This will be a special summer and we are grateful to everyone who has given their time and expertise over the past years.’

An entertainment programme will also run throughout the day from locations around the Olympic Park. Roaming performers will entertain the crowds while they explore the Park. A bandstand will also offer up-and-coming performers the opportunity to perform in front of thousands of people in the Park during the Games.

In addition to the entertainment around the Park there will be chances to take a photo with a mascot, visit sponsor showcases, pin trading and a chance to watch the action on the Park Live Site.

LOCOG today has also issued ‘5 top tips’ for ticket holders coming to the Games. These are:

1. Be prepared for security checks when you arrive: this will be like taking an international flight at an airport. It will be busy and you will have to queue, so get there early – check http://www.london2012.com for your recommended arrival time.

2. Bring as little as possible with you: the more you bring, the longer it will take to go through security. One small soft-sided rucksack or handbag is allowed per person – this must fit under your seat. If you have a ticket for Football, we strongly suggest you do not bring a bag – if you do, your entry will be delayed and you may miss your event.

3. Read the lists of prohibited and restricted items before you leave: You cannot bring in liquids over 100ml*, including water – but you can bring an empty plastic water bottle and fill it up at water points inside venues. There is a wide range of food available to buy, but if you need to bring your own food, it must fit inside your bag.

4. Leave plenty of time to travel to your venue: London and the UK will be extremely busy and very different to what you’re used to. Use the spectator journey planner to find the best route and, where necessary, book your travel to make sure you get to your event on time. Ticket holders for events in and around London can use their Games Travelcard for travel in London zones 1-9.    

5. Please remember the only way to pay is by Visa (debit, credit or prepaid card) or cash.

Notes to editors:

Footage from the briefing will be available later in the day via http://footagelibrary.london2012.com/

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office.

The Official London 2012 Join In app is a free mobile guide to help you plan, enjoy and share your Games experience. From the Olympic Torch Relay to the Olympics and Paralympics, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, plus all the cultural, city and community celebrations happening across the UK, the Official London 2012 Join In App is your essential companion. It is available now at app stores and athttp://www.london2012.com/mobileapps/

Muse
Muse have five studio albums, a plethora of awards (including five MTV Europe Music awards, five Q awards, eight NME Awards, two Brit Awards, four Kerrang! Awards, a Grammy and a Mercury Prize nomination) and an extensive list of top 10 singles which has resulted in Muse being one of the biggest bands in the UK/Europe.

Matt Bellamy, Dominic Howard and Chris Wolstenholme celebrated the release of their 5th album ‘The Resistance’ with two open air homecoming shows in Teignmouth, Devon, back in 2009. No.1 in the UK, the album also topped that charts in 19 countries worldwide. A European tour followed with a lavish new production which saw them play in front of 300,000 fans in just two months. A short trip home during the tour saw them bestowed as the 2011 recipients of the Silver Clef Award from music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins before heading out for a string of sold out stadium shows in UK, France, Italy, Holland, Spain and Switzerland.

Muse will release their 6th studio album ‘The 2ND Law’ this September. A European arena tour will follow the release from October onwards.

London 2012 Games partners
The Worldwide Olympic Partners who support the London 2012 Olympic Games and the National Olympic Committees around the world are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos, Dow, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Procter and Gamble, Samsung and Visa.

LOCOG has seven domestic Tier One Partners - adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. There are seven domestic Tier Two Supporters – Adecco, ArcelorMittal, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte, Thomas Cook and UPS. There are now twenty-eight domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers – Aggreko, Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, CBS Outdoor, Crystal CG, Eurostar, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, G4S, GSK, Gymnova, Heathrow Airport, Heineken UK, Holiday Inn, John Lewis, McCann Worldgroup, Mondo, NATURE VALLEY, Next, Nielsen, Populous, Rapiscan Systems, Rio Tinto, Technogym, Thames Water, Ticketmaster, Trebor and Westfield.

There is one domestic Tier One Paralympic Games-only Partner, Sainsbury’s and two domestic Tier Three Paralympic Games-only Suppliers, Otto Bock and Panasonic. The London 2012 Paralympic Games also acknowledges the support of the National Lottery.

London 2012 Olympic Tickets Update

London 2012 Olympic Tickets Update

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has confirmed that a further batch of contingency tickets are now on sale athttp://www.tickets.london2012.com or via phone at 0844 847 2012.

(PRWEB) June 23, 2012

Additional tickets to a number of sports are on sale.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has confirmed that a further batch of contingency tickets are now on sale at http://www.tickets.london2012.comor via phone at 0844 847 2012. Additional tickets to the following sports are on sale: Gymnastics Artistic, Gymnastics Trampoline, Tennis, Basketball, Cycling Road, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, Taekwondo and Archery.

Approximately 50,000 tickets are available following the finalisation of more venue seating plans. As LOCOG receives tickets via the resale platform and releases further contingency tickets, they will be made available on a regular basis between now and Games time. Customers are advised to check the website regularly for the latest availability.

Based on the high demand for tickets from the public, particularly for Gymnastics, LOCOG has made a number of seats within hospitality suites available at the North Greenwich Arena for the public to buy tickets to watch Basketball, Gymnastics Artistic, andGymnastics Trampoline.

In recognition of Visa’s longstanding support of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, only Visa (debit, credit and prepaid) can be used to purchase tickets.

Wheelchair users can check the availability of wheelchair spaces and purchase tickets by calling 0844 847 2012 to speak to the London 2012 Accessibility team.

LOCOG Commercial Director Chris Townsend said, "More great tickets to watch Olympic sport have gone on sale. Further tickets will be released on an almost daily basis from now until Games time. We encourage anyone interested in buying tickets to visit the ticketing website regularly to check the latest ticket availability."

About Lloyds TSB
Lloyds TSB is proud to partner the London 2012 ticketing programme and is supporting communities all over Britain on their journey to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. To find out more about its London 2012 programmes visit Lloydstsb.com/London2012

Notes to editors:
For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office.

The Official London 2012 Join In app is a free mobile guide to help you plan, enjoy and share your Games experience. From the Olympic Torch Relay to the Olympics and Paralympics, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, plus all the cultural, city and community celebrations happening across the UK, the Official London 2012 Join In App is your essential companion. It is available now at app stores and athttp://www.london2012.com/mobileapps/

London 2012 Games partners:
The Worldwide Olympic Partners who support the London 2012 Olympic Games and the National Olympic Committees around the world are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos, Dow, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Procter and Gamble, Samsung and Visa.

LOCOG has seven domestic Tier One Partners - adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. There are seven domestic Tier Two Supporters – Adecco, ArcelorMittal, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte, Thomas Cook and UPS.

There are now 28 domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers – Aggreko, Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, CBS Outdoor, Crystal CG, Eurostar, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, G4S, GSK, Gymnova, Heathrow Airport, Heineken UK, Holiday Inn, John Lewis, McCann Worldgroup, Mondo, NATURE VALLEY, Next, Nielsen, Populous, Rapiscan Systems, Rio Tinto, Technogym, Thames Water, Ticketmaster, Trebor and Westfield.

There is one domestic Tier One Paralympic Games-only Partner, Sainsbury’s and two domestic Tier Three Paralympic Games-only Suppliers, Otto Bock and Panasonic. The London 2012 Paralympic Games also acknowledges the support of the National Lottery.

Olympic Dreams On The Edge of Reality

Olympic Dreams On The Edge of Reality

Stark, located in Irvine, California, a national leader in sports performance, is pleased to announce client and Olympic hopeful, Megan Jamerson, of Orange County, California earned her invitation to the Olympic Trials with "Prelims" starting tomorrow.

Irvine, California (PRWEB) June 21, 2012

It took three years of sacrifice, pain, and determination to find success in an afternoon. Last Saturday, Megan Jamerson edged out the competition to earn the rank of number fifteen in the United States while jumping 14’4” in the Women’s Pole Vault, just what she needed to be invited to the Olympic Trials.

Traveling yesterday morning to Eugene, Oregon (“Track Town U.S.A.”), Jamerson will be competing against twenty-three other women with only the final twelve advancing to “Finals” on Sunday; positions one, two and three will proceed to London. Friday will be a sea of emotions; Sunday, unbearable.

Training for Friday’s meet has been intense over the past few months as she began seeing her dreams within reach. Although affable and easy-going by nature, when training, the champion in Jamerson finds its way to the surface: the determination to swallow any doubts, the ability to push all distractions passed her peripheral vision and focus on being relaxed and fearless. Jamerson jumps almost daily with her coach, Greg Woepse and has been training at Stark in Irvine, California to help with her strength and explosiveness.

“Stark has been a great atmosphere for me to really get some work done and take my mind off of my event. The staff is great. They created a personalized training protocol for me, helping me get peaked for Friday. They’ve really helped my strength, but also my confidence.”

“The last two months has been focused on taking all of the weight-room strength she has developed over the past three years and transfer it to pole-vaulting strength,” says Brad Davidson, V.P. of R & D at Stark. “The last few weeks included an intense taper to create a central nervous system super compensation response, resulting in her jumping her best at the upcoming trials.”

Her family has been a big support as well. Attending many of her meets, her father sometimes plays the role of substitute coach if Woepse isn’t available, video taping her jumps, reviewing her form and steps while Megan is resting. Like all fathers, he sees his bright-eyed little girl with her distant dreams of becoming an Olympic Champion, wanting the best for her but at the same time, not wanting her to hurt.

Jamerson of Laguna Niguel, a suburban town in southern Orange County, California, first fell in love with pole-vaulting at a camp in middle school. Her natural athletic ability was immediately recognized as she progressed through high school and was recruited to UCLA. Having what she considered a mediocre Senior-year, she decided to continue after graduating. “I wasn’t jumping my best, so I wanted more,” says Jamerson.

Immediately following UCLA, she was seriously injured, taking her out for the entire season; then, after a year of rehab, she dislocated her ankle during a fall. Two and a half years after college, still holding onto her Olympic dreams, she slowly re-built her confidence and is now ready, calm and sure.

“Friday will be a stressful but exciting day for us at Stark,” says Jesse Gawinkse, one of Starks team of professional Strength Coaches. Gawinske has not only helped her through training, but has been by her side at some of the meets. “It’s exciting and fun to be a part of the life of such an elite athlete who is also so easy to be around.”

Olympic Highlights of the Week

IOC Announces Olympic Highlights of the Week

On 18 and 19 June, IOC President Jacques Rogge was in Lillehammer (Norway) for the debriefing between the Organising Committee of the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG), Innsbruck 2012, and the organisers of the second edition, Lillehammer 2016. Among other things, he took part in a seminar attended by over 200 people.

(PRWEB) June 22, 2012

IOC ACTIVITIES
PRESIDENT
On 18 and 19 June, IOC President Jacques Rogge was in Lillehammer (Norway) for the debriefing between the Organising Committee of the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG), Innsbruck 2012, and the organisers of the second edition, Lillehammer 2016. Among other things, he took part in a seminar attended by over 200 people.

During his trip, President Rogge met the Norwegian Minister of Culture, Anniken Huitfeldt, before attending the opening of the new curling venue for the 2016 YOG and visiting the venues for the Nordic skiing events at Birkebeiner, where he met Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and some young athletes training at the venues.

Back in Lausanne, on 21 June, President Rogge met the IOC members elected in July 2011, José Perurena, Gerardo Werthein and Barbara Kendall. The next day, he received IOC member Samih Moudallal and International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Leandro Negre, accompanied by FIH Secretary General Kelly Fairweather. He later attended the Finance Commission meeting, chaired by Richard Carrión, and the IOC-Olympic Capital meeting, before taking part in the Olympic Day celebrations.

MEMBERS
Julio César Maglione has been awarded the Grand Chain of the South American Order of Merit, the South American Sports Organisation (ODESUR)’s highest distinction. He was presented with this by the ODESUR President and IOC member, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, at the ODESUR General Assembly in Santiago (Chile).

Ser Miang Ng will shortly be standing down as Singapore’s Ambassador to Hungary after 12 years of service. In recognition of his important role in developing relations between the two countries, he will be receiving one of Hungary’s most prestigious decorations.

COMMISSIONS
This week in Vidy, the following IOC commissions have held meetings: Marketing, Sport for All, Finance, Philately and Numismatics and Memorabilia, as well as the Audit Committee.

An IOC delegation has been at Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development held from 20 to 22 June in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). For this occasion, the IOC’s Sport and Environment Commission has produced a new publication entitled “Sustainability through Sport: Implementing the Olympic Movement’s Agenda 21”, which summarises the progress made over the last 20 years in the area of sustainable development, particularly in terms of environmental protection, education and socio-economic development.

The 8th IOC World Conference on Sport, Education and Culture will be held from 25 to 27 November 2012 in Amsterdam (the Netherlands). This event is being organised by the IOC’s Commission for Culture and Olympic Education, in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and in collaboration with the Dutch NOC. The delegates will review policies, exchange on best practice and identify future action in the field of sport, education and culture. Also at the Conference, the winners of the IOC’s fourth “Art and Sport Contest will receive their medals.

During the Olympic Philately, Numismatics and Memorabilia Commission meeting in Lausanne, the names of the winners of the inaugural Juan Antonio Samaranch Medal for Olympic Collecting were announced. The award was introduced by the IOC this year to honour the legacy of former IOC President Samaranch, an avid Olympic collector who introduced programmes to encourage the collection and study of Olympic stamps, coins and memorabilia during his time in office. The medals were presented to the winners by IOC member Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, son of the late President Samaranch, on 22 June.

INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FEDERATIONS
SUMMER IFS
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has just launched a new web site devoted to 3x3 basketball:http://www.3x3planet.com. The site is intended to connect players and tournament organisers worldwide. In addition, FIBA celebrated its 80th anniversary on 18 June.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has announced the death, at the age of 92, of Susi Urzynicok from Germany, an FIG honorary member since 1976. For many years, Susi Urzynicok worked to develop women’sartistic gymnastics around the world. The FIG has also announced the death of Switzerland’s Nicole Delaloye-Maye, at the age of 56. A member of the national team, she was Swiss champion in 1974 and competed in several world championships. After her competition career, she joined the FIG’s international judges’ college, and took part in the 1996 Games in Atlanta.

At the International Junior Competition in Suhl (Germany), the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) presented its “Run & Shoot” event, a new Sport for All competition format. The aim is to pursue the goals of the IOC’s Sport for All Commission by promoting regular physical activity for its health and social benefits. “Run & Shoot” is an easy-to-access shooting sport event which combines running with air rifle target shooting, and requires no special equipment.

WINTER IFS
The 54th Ordinary Congress of the International Skating Union (ISU) concluded on 15 June in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). More than 200 delegates representing 76 ISU member federations attended. Opened by ISU President and IOC member Ottavio Cinquanta, the Congress took a number of decisions listed on http://www.isu.org. The next Congress will be held in June 2014 in Dublin (Ireland).

NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES
On 17 June, the Spanish NOC, in collaboration with the city of Madrid, celebrated Olympic Day in the Madrid Río Park. A large number of children and adults took part in the various sports competitions under the theme of “play fair”. Also attending were NOC President Alejandro Blanco and several Olympic medallists, including Joan Lino, Rafa Lozano, María Peláez, Muriel Bujalance, Montse Puche, Silvia Fernández and Carlos Alonso.

The Guatemalan NOC recently informed us of the creation of the Friends of Olympic Sport Foundation (Fundación de Amigos del Deporte Olímpico - FADO), the aim of which is to foster the development of Olympic sport in Guatemala, in close collaboration with the NOC. The Foundation will offer extra financial assistance to the athletes who have qualified for the Games, to help them prepare for the competition.

On 12 June, the Italian NOC (CONI) held an international seminar on “training during the evolutionary age”, which brought together numerous Italian participants, 24 international representatives and the President of the International Mediterranean Games Committee, Amar Addadi. In his welcome speech, CONI President Giovanni Petrucci stressed the importance of these meetings and discussions for the future of Italian sport. CONI Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi then stressed the need to work with talented young athletes and put in place future projects before the end of the Olympic cycle. The same day, a sports technical cooperation agreement was signed between CONI and the Libyan NOC for the next four years. Those present included the Libyan NOC President, Nabil Al Alem, and the Secretary General, Marwan Maghur, as well as Raffaele Pagnozzi and Amar Addadi. The aim of the agreement is to facilitate the exchange of athletes and technicians for major sports events.

The Uzbek NOC informs us that Olympic Day was celebrated on 3 June in Tashkent, with its focus on the Games of the XXX Olympiad in London. Some 1,200 people took part in the 0.3-mile, 0.5-mile and 1-mile events as part of the preliminary competitions all over the country, then in the finals held in the Alisher Navoi National Park. The youngest competitors ran a 50m course, with disabled participants covering 0.3 miles. The winners received their prizes and gifts from Uzbek officials and athletes.

The Peruvian NOC informs us that Spanish NOC President Alejandro Blanco has given a talk on “modern sports development” to representatives of the 11 NOCs of the region, sports federations, universities, local authorities and the Bolivarian Sports Organisation (ODEBO). Held at Miraflores, the event was led by the Peruvian NOC President, José Quiñones González; the President of the Peruvian Sports Institute, Francisco Boza; the Mayor of Miraflores, Jorge Muñoz Wells; IOC member in Peru Ivan Dibos; and the ODEBO President, Danilo Carrera Drouet. Spain’s experience of successfully hosting the 1992 Games in Barcelona and the country’s major sporting transformation were the reasons for Alejandro Blanco’s participation.

The legendary Czech gymnast, Vera Caslavska, the heroine of the 1964 Games in Tokyo and the 1968 Games in Mexico City and winner of 11 Olympic medals, seven of them gold, has received the Slovak NOC’s highest distinction. She was presented with the NOC Trophy by NOC President Frantisek Chmelar on 1 June, at the opening ceremony of the 25th edition of the Gym Festival in Trnava. FIG Honorary President Yuri Titov and the Slovak minister responsible for sport, Dusan Caplovic, were also present. Vera Caslavska, who celebrated her 70th birthday in May this year, was President of the Czech NOC from 1990 to 1992.

ORGANISING COMMITTEES FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES
LONDON 2012
The culmination of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, the London 2012 Festival got underway on 21 June. For 12 weeks, the UK will be celebrating the largest nationwide cultural festival ever staged. Some 12,000 performances and events given by 25,000 artists from 205 countries will be held in 900 venues.

RECOGNISED ORGANISATIONS
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has launched a new digital library designed to make WADA’s education and information tools more accessible to its stakeholders. The library can be accessed by going tohttp://bibliotheque.wada-ama.org. WADA has also completed and published its 2011 Annual Report. The document is available in e-format and PDF format at http://www.wada-ama.org.

The International Academy of Sports Science and Technology (AISTS) has created a new scholarship for its Master of Sports Administration course in Lausanne. The AISTS Athlete Scholarship will be exclusively for elite athletes. The deadline for applications is 15 August 2012.