Showing posts with label London Olympics 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label London Olympics 2012. Show all posts

Thursday, June 21, 2012

London 2012 Official Mobile Game


Neowiz Internet Announces the Worldwide Launch of London 2012 – Official Mobile Game

The exclusive Official Mobile Game of the London 2012 Olympic Games • Enjoy 9 Olympic events including Double Trap, Archery, 110m Hurdles, Swimming and Kayak with stunning 3D London 2012 environments • Compete in three different modes: Train for the Olympic Games; Compete for Olympic medals; or Challenge yourself or your Facebook friends, to prove you have what it takes to be the best in the world! • Available in 8 languages – Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish

Seoul, South Korea (PRWEB) June 19, 2012
Neowiz Internet is proud to announce the launch of the Official Mobile Game for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Available to download today and play on leading smartphone and tablets, London 2012 – Official Mobile Game is the exclusive worldwide mobile game of the XXX Olympiad.

 Next London Olympics 2012 : London 2012 Official Mobile Game

London 2012 - Official Mobile Game allows users to create a virtual athlete and participate in Olympic events in authentic London 2012 Olympic venues. Your athlete can participate in 9 Olympic events such as Double Trap, Archery, 110m Hurdles, Swimming, Kayak and more. Appealing to both new and seasoned gamers, the games intuitive controls, superb graphics and authentic London 2012 venues puts you at the heart of the action like never before. Soak up the atmosphere, prove you’re the best and immerse yourself in the world’s biggest sporting event – the Olympic Games.
Represent your country and design, train and improve your athlete just the way you want - with hundreds of unique customisations. Compete in three different modes; training mode where you can prepare for the Olympic Games; Olympic mode where you can compete for the gold medal or Challenge mode where you can challenge your Facebook friends or complete in-game challenges. Prove you’re the best by building your own trophy collection and reach the top of the leaderboard.
London 2012 - Official Mobile Game is available to download as a premium or a free game. The premium version, priced at $2.99, provides 5,000 stars with which users can purchase game items and customise their athlete. The free version can be enjoyed at no cost with additional game items available to purchase at any time.
In celebration of the game launch, please join us on the official fan page. Visit http://www.olympicvideogames.comand ‘Like’ us on Facebook.com/london2012mobilegame for more information and to download the game!
London 2012 is available immediately at the Apple App Store and Google Play.
About Neowiz Internet:
Neowiz Internet is a global pioneer in digital interactive entertainment. The company develops and publishes innovative mobile games through its mobile social game platform, Pmangplus and its music streaming and download services reach millions of people worldwide. Contact london2012@pmangplus.com
About ISM:
ISM is the IOC’s exclusive worldwide licensee for Interactive Entertainment Software. In addition to these exclusive rights, ISM is one of the world’s leading providers of sports fantasy games working with a number of sport’s governing bodies. Visit the company's website at http://www.ismltd.com

Friday, June 8, 2012

London Olympic Flame Visit Robert Burns Museum

Day 21: Olympic Flame to Visit Robert Burns Museum and Hampden Park on Journey From Stranraer to Glasgow

On Friday 8 June, the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung – will travel 138.42 miles through 22 communities on its journey from Stranraer to Glasgow.

(PRWEB) June 08, 2012
On Friday 8 June, the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung – will travel 138.42 miles through 22 communities on its journey from Stranraer to Glasgow. 
  • Today the Relay will travel 138.42 miles
  • 128 inspirational Torchbearers will carry the Flame
  • Images from today can be downloaded here
On Friday 8th June, the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung – will travel 128 miles through 22 communities on its journey from Stranraer to Glasgow.
128 inspirational Torchbearers will carry the Flame through the following communities: Stranraer, Cairnryan, Ballantrae, Girvan, Turnberry, Maidens, Kirkoswald, Maybole, Alloway, Ayr, Kilmarnock, Kilmaurs, Stewarton, Dunlop, Barrmill, Beith, Lochwinnoch, Kilmalcolm, Port Glasgow, Rutherglen, Giffnock and Glasgow.
Highlights for today are:
6.09am – The first Torchbearer in Scotland will be Ross Mcclelland, 21, from Ayr. He will start with the Flame in Castle Square, Stranraer. Ross serves in the British Army and returned from a seven month tour of duty earlier this year. Ross is an infantry soldier who loves every minute of his service. One of Ross' dreams has actually been to become a long-distance runner and compete in the Olympics.
9.41am – Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Kirsty Kane, 17, from Saltcoats, will carry the Flame to the front of the museum. Kirsty was nominated through the Bank of Scotland campaign for her courage and determination in dealing with her cerebral palsy. Kirsty will hand the Flame to Olympian Suzanne Otterson, 38, from Ayr, who represented Great Britain in the figure skating at the Albertville Winter Olympics in 1992. She was nominated through the Coca Cola campaign.
At 4.27pm in Hampden Park, the Flame will be carried by Karen Woodrow, 44, from Renfrew, who was nominated through the Coca Cola campaign. She was nominated by her colleagues for her hard work and great spirit.
5.43pm - Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. The Flame will be carried to the front of the museum in a lantern by trials cyclist Daniel MacAskill, 26, from Glasgow.
6.50pm – The last Torchbearer of the day will be Ross Morrison, 18, from Auchinleck, who was nominated through the Coca Cola campaign. He was nominated because of his dream of becoming a professional basketball player and to set up a fund to help young people that are in a similar situation as him.
The evening celebration will take place in George Square, Glasgow and is presented by Coca Cola. The line-up includes music from Eliza Doolittle, Emeli Sande and General Fiasco. The show will start at 4pm.
Towards the end of the two-hour show, the last Torchbearer of the day in Glasgow - Ross Morrison - will light a celebration cauldron on stage at the event which will enable the Olympic Flame to be seen by the audience.
Other Torchbearer highlights:
Actor James McAvoy, 33, from Glasgow, will carry the Flame in Glasgow. He is best known for films such as X Men: First Class, Wanted, The Last King of Scotland and Atonement. He won the inaugural Orange BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2006, he has subsequently been nominated for BAFTA and Golden Globe Awards for his performance in Atonement. James recently finished filming on Filth, a film adaptation of Irvine Welsh's novel of the same name and he will shortly start filming on The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby.
Olympian Katherine Grainger, 36, from Glasgow, will carry the Flame in Glasgow. She is three-time Olympic medallist and Bank of Scotland ambassador, selected because of her contribution to her sport and inspiring young people in the community to take up more sport as part of Bank of Scotland National School Sport Week.    
Olympian Rhona Martin, 45, from Ayr, will carry the Flame in Glasgow. Rhona skipped the British curling team to victory at the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games. It came down to the very last stone, which Rhona held her nerve and delivered perfectly to secure a narrow 4-3 win for Team GB. Rhona, her team of Scottish curlers and the aptly named “Stone of Destiny” went on to become sporting icons. This success was achieved despite the fact the team were all in full-time jobs or full-time mothers, only becoming full-time curlers for the four months leading up to the Games. Rhona is still involved with curling, predominantly as the Scottish junior curling coach where she can give back to the sport and use her experiences to inspire others. Rhona is also involved with UK Sport’s elite coaching programme, and worked as a commentator for the BBC during Vancouver 2010.
Olympian Susann Goksør Bjerkrheim, 60, from Oslo, will carry the Flame in Glasgow. She was selected through the Samsung campaign. Susann was one of the key players on the Norwegian women´s handball team from the late 80s until the millennium. She has played the most international games for Norway and has participated in several Olympics, winning the silver medal in Seoul 1998, silver in Barcelona 1992 and bronze in Sydney in 2000.
Ian Mirfin (53) and Janice Eaglesham (53), from Cambuslang, will both carry the Flame in Glasgow. The husband and wife team won the BBC Sports Unsung Hero award last year for their dedication to athletics coaching for people with disabilities. They are the founders, organisers and coaches of The Red Star Athletics Club in Glasgow which was formed in 1990.
Alan Jardine, 25, from Kilmarnock, will carry the Flame in Kilmarnock. He was selected through the LOCOG public nomination campaign. He has Down ’s syndrome but has accomplished much in his young life. He has won medals at the special Olympics for swimming and swims in the Down’s Syndrome British and European championships. He was awarded East Ayrshire Councils disabled sports person of the year in 2009 and loves travelling having visited France, Spain, Poland, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. At College he studied IT and Business and completed challenges with the Princes Trust. He is at present doing voluntary work with the WRVS at our local hospital. He is an inspiration to his family and friends.
James Sweeney, 21, from Glasgow, will carry the Flame in Glasgow. He was selected through the Coca-Cola Future Flames programme. He has been working with the G15 Youth Group since he was 17. The group gives support to young people aged 12-25 in the G15 postcode of Glasgow by providing one to one support to help them get their lives back on track. This is done through cooking classes, music groups, gardening projects and much more. They work alongside the police and local schools to maximise the benefit for the whole community. The youth group was recently awarded the Queens award for voluntary service and as a result were invited to the Queens Garden Party in July and Jamie now holds the Chairman position on the management committee. Jamie makes a real difference to these young and vulnerable people through his hard work and determination to better himself and those around him. Jamie is only 21 years old and fully understands how these young people feel as he had a difficult childhood himself. He now not only is supporting himself in his own flat, but is also helping to support his sister and her two young children.
Seb Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: “The Olympic Torch Relay signifies the start of an exciting summer of sport across the UK. The Relay will last for 70 days and the Flame will carry with it the values and spirit of the Olympic Games across the UK.
“We are looking forward to giving hundreds of inspirational people and many communities in Scotland their moment to shine.”
Sport Minister Shona Robison said: “The Torch Relay is a chance for communities to share in the Olympic spirit and support our torchbearers. From Cairnryan, round Scotland and back to Berwick, the route has been chosen to touch as many people as possible, take in our most iconic places and showcase the best of Scotland to an international audience.
“Scotland is already taking part in the Olympics, with eight world class football matches at Hampden and playing host to pre-Games training camps. With just 50 days to the Games, the Torch’s arrival is a prime opportunity to put Scotland on a world stage.”
James Williams, Director, Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola Northwest Europe & Nordics, said: “We’re twenty-one days into our incredible journey and today two more Coca-Cola Future Flames will carry the Olympic Flame, with James Sweeney and Tim Mills running in Glasgow and Fort Augustus. We will also get everyone to Move to the Beat tonight as we bring Eliza Doolittle, Emeli Sandé and General Fiasco to the stage in Glasgow.”
Sally Hancock, Director, London 2012 Partnership at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “We’re thrilled Bank of Scotland is bringing the Olympic Torch Relay to Scotland. The last three weeks have been incredible, with each community coming out in force to cheer the Flame and feel the excitement of London 2012. Today, we’re calling on Scotland to welcome the Flame and support their local Bank of Scotland Torchbearers – extraordinary people like Kirsty Kane from Saltcoats and David Coulter from Kilmarnock, running in Alloway and Kilmarnock. Our troupe of performers, the Flame Followers, are lighting up the celebrations along the route ahead of the Relay before their Flame Followers Spectacular performance in Glasgow 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 and we feel the Torchbearers selected really do demonstrate the ‘gone the extra mile’ community element that lies at the heart of our London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay campaign."
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 TSB’s [Bank of Scotland’s] troupe of performers the Flame Followers will be travelling ahead of the Flame to excite crowds with a unique fusion of street performance, theatre and sport celebrating the endeavour, athleticism, agility and skill of Olympic sporting heroes, Team GB.
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 Bank of Scotland 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 in each locality will each win a £5,000 grant from Lloyds Banking Group. At the Bank of Scotland site members of the public will also have the opportunity to have their photo taken with the Olympic Torch, meet Bank of Scotland Local Heroes – the future stars of Team GB and ParalympicsGB – and get up close to our Flame Followers.
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

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Britain Welcomes Olympic Torch Relay

Britain Welcomes the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay

Thousands of cheering Britons lined the streets of towns and cities across Cornwall and Devon as the Olympic torch was carried over 136 miles from Land’s End to Plymouth Hoe on the first day of its 8,000-mile relay around the UK.
(PRWEB) May 21, 2012
Thousands of cheering Britons lined the streets of towns and cities across Cornwall and Devon as the Olympic torch was carried over 136 miles from Land’s End to Plymouth Hoe on the first day of its 8,000-mile relay around the UK. On 27 July the torch will ignite the cauldron at London’s Olympic Stadium to mark the start of the 2012 Games. More than 130 ordinary people and sports celebrities including Olympicswimming star Duncan Goodhew carried the torch through Falmouth, Truro and the Eden Project at the start of its 70-day journey around the UK.
The Olympic flame arrived at Culdrose in Cornwall from Athens on a golden aircraft called "The Firefly" on Friday in four custom-made lanterns. It was carried off the plane by Princess Anne, IOC Member and the president of the British Olympic Association, and then used to light a cauldron to mark the start of the Olympic Torch Relay by football hero David Beckham. “Eight thousand inspirational torchbearers are all set to bring the magic of the Games to everyone's doorstep,” said Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister, who was at Culdrose to welcome the London 2012 delegation. “With every step, the excitement will build. Ten weeks from now, the world will watch as the flame arrives at the Olympic Stadium, bringing with it the hopes of a nation."
A gold-liveried air rescue Sea King helicopter flew the torch to Land’s End early on Saturday, where at 7.08am it was passed to the triple Olympic gold medallist sailorBen Ainslie, the first of 8,000 torch-bearers, in front of 3,500 people. "It's amazing,” he said. “For me, growing up in this part of the world, in Cornwall, for the Olympic Torch to set off from here around the nation, is a fantastic moment for the UK, for London 2012. Very exciting." Ainslie carried the torch 300m before ‘kissing’ it on to Anastasi Swallow, a junior surf champion who has represented her country four times. “This is really when the Games begin,” said Paul Deighton, the London 2012 Organising Committee’s chief executive. “Through these 70 days we’ll see some magic in our communities.”
An estimated nine million people are expected to come out and watch the torchbearers, as they run through over one thousand communities, passing landmarks such as Stonehenge, and coming within 10 miles of 95 per cent of the UK population.
“This is an extraordinary moment that has been 10 years in the making,” said Games organiser Sebastian Coe.
For more information, please contact the IOC Media Relations Team.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Hockey and Water Polo Test Event Tickets


More Hockey and Water Polo Test Event Tickets on Sale Tomorrow
More tickets to the Visa International Invitational Hockey Tournament and Visa Water Polo International, both London 2012 test events, will go on sale tomorrow, 3 April, at 10.00am.

(PRWEB) April 02, 2012

More tickets to the Visa International Invitational Hockey Tournament and Visa Water Polo International, both London 2012 test events, will go on sale tomorrow, 3 April, at 10.00am.
Tickets will be available for all four sessions of Water Polo from 3-6 May and both sessions on the final day of Hockey on Sunday 6 May, priced from £5-£15, giving spectators the unique opportunity to watch international sport in the Olympic Park just weeks ahead of the Games.
Visa (debit, credit, prepaid) is the only card accepted for online ticket sales for these London Prepares series events.
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/londonpreparesseries
From 2-6 May the Visa International Invitational Hockey Tournament will feature some of the world’s best men’s and women’s Hockey teams including Australia, the world’s top ranked men’s team, Argentina, the current women’s world champions, and both Great Britain’s men’s and women’s teams. The tournament will play a crucial part in testing the Riverbank Arena.
At the Visa Water Polo International, taking place in the newly built Water Polo Arena, the Great Britain women’s team will line up alongside teams from Australia, USA and Russia, testing the venue for the very first time.
Debbie Jevans, London 2012 Director of Sport, said: "As with all our test events, tickets sold quickly for Hockey and Water Polo when they went on sale last month. We have worked hard to be able to offer more tickets to fans to enable them to watch the forthcoming test events and we are delighted that we have been able to achieve this. Spectators play a key role in helping us test our operations as we continue to look at and test crowd flows as well as athlete movements, our workforce and of course the field of play.”
Additionally, tickets for the Men’s Olympic Football Qualification Play-Off match, the London 2012 Football test event, are still available. The match, which sees Senegal and Oman battle it out for the final place in the London 2012 Football Tournament, takes place on Monday 23 April at the City of Coventry Stadium. Tickets are on sale now from http://www.theticketfactory.com/footballtournamentqualification or by telephoning 0844 338 800 and fromhttp://www.ticketmaster.co.uk or by telephoning 0844 277 0700.
Visa continues its support for the London 2012 Games with individual sponsorship of the Synchronised Swimming, Hockey, Water Polo, BUCS Outdoor Athletics and Paralympic Athletics test events
Notes to editors:
For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office.
Remaining ticketed test events:
Apr 18-22 FINA Olympic Games Synchronised Swimming Qualification, presented by Visa. Aquatics Centre, Olympic Park. Sold out.
Apr 23 Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Qualification Play-Off Match, City of Coventry Stadium. Tickets £5-£10
May 2-6 Visa International Invitational Hockey Tournament, Riverbank Arena, Olympic Park. Tickets £5- £15
May 3-6 Eton Manor Wheelchair Tennis International, Eton Manor, Olympic Park. Tickets on sale for 5 May Sold out.
May 3-6 Visa Water Polo International, Water Polo Arena, Olympic Park. Tickets £5 - £15
May 5 ‘2012 Hours to Go: An Evening of Athletics and Entertainment’, Olympic Stadium. Sold out.
May 8 Visa London Disability Athletics Challenge, Olympic Stadium, Olympic Park. Sold out.
Remaining non ticketed test events:
Apr 18-19 London International Invitational Wheelchair Rugby Tournament Basketball Arena, Olympic Park.
Apr 18-28 ISSF Shooting World Cup, The Royal Artillery Barracks.
May 3-6 London Para Archery International Tournament, The Royal Artillery Barracks.
May 4-7 BUCS Visa Outdoor Athletics Championships, Olympic Stadium, Olympic Park.
May 5-7 London Boccia Invitational 2012, Basketball Arena, Olympic Park.
About Visa Europe
In Europe, there are 445 million Visa debit, credit and commercial cards. In the 12 months ending September 2011 those cards were used to make purchases and cash withdrawals to the value of €1.7 trillion. 14% of consumer spending at point of sale in Europe is with a Visa card, and almost 80% of that is on Visa debit cards.
Visa Europe is owned and operated by more than 3,700 European members and was incorporated in July 2004. Visa Europe is independent of global Visa Inc., with an exclusive, irrevocable and perpetual licence in Europe, while both companies operate to ensure global interoperability. As a dedicated European payment system Visa Europe is able to respond quickly to the specific market needs of European banks and their customers - cardholders and retailers - and to meet the European Commission’s objective to create a true internal market for payments.
Visa enjoys unsurpassed acceptance around the world. In addition, Visa/PLUS is one of the world’s largest global ATM networks, offering cash access in local currency in over 200 countries.
About Team 2012
Team 2012 presented by Visa is a fundraising programme designed to provide UK athletes with the tools and support to reach their full potential and win more medals at European Championships, World Championships – and of course at the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012. It is a joint venture between the British Olympic Association, ParalympicsGB, UK Sport and LOCOG. Alongside the vital role played by The National Lottery and Exchequer funding, Team 2012 will help fund our athletes over the next two years. The vast majority of funds raised through Team 2012 will be distributed by UK Sport through its World Class Performance Programme which ensures that the UK’s most talented athletes have every chance of reaching their potential. Having run their programme since 1997, UK Sport has developed a highly successful ‘No Compromise’ approach, which ultimately means taking no short cuts in resourcing the best athletes to realise their medal ambitions. Funding is provided to athletes via their sport’s governing body, in support of a performance programme that includes coaching, training and competition support, medical and scientific services and equipment and access to the best facilities.
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 one domestic Tier Three Paralympic Games-only Supplier, Otto Bock. The London 2012 Paralympic Games also acknowledges the support of the National Lottery.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

London 2012’s International Inspiration programme awarded Global Sports Forum Trophy


London 2012's International Inspiration Programme Receives J.A Samaranch Trophy at Global Sports Forum


London 2012’s International Inspiration programme was yesterday awarded the J.A Samaranch Trophy for the most innovative sports-based project, at the Global Sports Forum in Barcelona.

(PRWEB) March 09, 2012

London 2012’s International Inspiration programme was yesterday awarded the J.A Samaranch Trophy for the most innovative sports-based project, at the Global Sports Forum in Barcelona.
Sir Keith Mills, London 2012 Organising Committee Deputy Chair and Chair of the II Foundation, yesterday collected the Trophy, with the winning project being judged on its innovative approach, impact and sustainability.

International Inspiration is London 2012's international sports legacy programme and is bringing to life the promise made by the London 2012 bid team where they pledged to reach young people all around the world and connect them to the inspirational power of the Games so they are inspired to choose sport. The programme is delivered around the world by the British Council, UNICEF UK and UK Sport.

The programme has enriched the lives of more than 12 million children and young people in 20 countries around the world by inspiring and enabling them to participate in high-quality and inclusive physical education, sport and play.

Among the specific achievements of the programme to date, those that were highlighted included more than 150,000 children in Bangladesh survival swimming skills in a country where around 17,000 children drown every year, and using sport to education more than 1.5 million young people in Zambia about issues such as HIV and AIDS.

Keith Mills, Chair of the II Foundation said: 'I'm thrilled and very proud to have received this award on behalf of the International Inspiration team. When we bid for the Games back in 2005, we said we were committed to transforming the lives of children and young people around the world through the power of sport. International Inspiration is the result of that promise and is helping us leave a lasting legacy, years after the London 2012 Games have finished.'

London 2012 Organising Committee Chair Seb Coe was also present at the Global Sports Forum to take part in a question and answer session about the London 2012 Games with leading journalists Alan Abrahamson.

Having achieved its target of reaching 12 million children a year ahead of schedule in July 2011, International Inspiration will now focus on ensuring that initiatives are sustainable and will leave a legacy in all these countries beyond 2012.

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

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.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

London Olympics 2012 Offers First Look at the Paralympic Torch


London 2012 Offers First Look at the Paralympic Torch


The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) has unveiled the Paralympic Torch to mark six months to go until the start of the Paralympic Games.

 London Olympics 2012 : London Olympics 2012 Offers First Look at the Paralympic Torch

(PRWEB) February 29, 2012
The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) has unveiled the Paralympic Torch to mark six months to go until the start of the Paralympic Games. 
  •      Paralympic Torch given mirrored finish to reflect the light of the Flame and teams of Torchbearers that carry it
  •     33 communities across the UK to host Flame Celebrations over the August bank holiday weekend
  •     Over 3500 people across the UK have been nominated to carry the Paralympic Flame
  •     An image of the Paralympic Torch can be downloadedhere
Made from an aluminium alloy which was developed for the aerospace and automotive industry, the Paralympic Torch has been given a mirrored finish which means that its colour will adapt to its surroundings.
It will not only reflect the light from the Flame but also shine brightly on the teams of Torchbearers that carry it and the communities that it travels through on the way from Stoke Mandeville to the Olympic Stadium. With part of the 24 hour relay taking place overnight, the reflective nature of the Torch will help it shine brightly and stand out in the darkness.
Sharing the core design attributes of the Olympic Torch, the three sided form was inspired by the multiples of ‘three’ identified across London 2012. One of these is the Agitos, the symbol of the International Paralympic Committee. The three Agitos encircle a central point to emphasise the role the International Paralympic Committee plays in bringing athletes from all parts of the world together to compete. In the same way, the three sides of the Paralympic Torch encircle the Paralympic Flame.
Seb Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: 'With six months to go until the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, we are on track to deliver a great Games that will showcase some of the most inspirational athletes from around the World. The Paralympic Torch Relay will provide the perfect start by involving people from across the UK in events celebrating the Flame and help the ignite passion for the Paralympics.'
Multi-medal winning Paralympian, Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson, said: 'The unveiling of the Paralympic Torch is an important part of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay, as it will become the symbol that everyone recognises. With six months to go until the start of the Paralympic Games, I hope this will help build on the growing excitement and inspire the teams that are in line to carry the Flame from Stoke Mandeville to London.'
Designed by London-based designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby for use in both London 2012 Relays, the design of the Torch was driven by a desire to reflect modernity and innovation. Being made from an aluminium alloy, it is light whilst having good strength and excellent heat resistance. Thousands of round perforations, made using cutting-edge laser technology, help ensure that heat from the flame is quickly dissipated without being conducted down the handle. The holes also make the Torch lighter and give it a strong texture that is easy to grip.
Created by working in partnership with Basildon-based product engineers Tecosim and Coventry-based manufacturers, The Premier Group, the Torch reflects the UK’s talent in design and manufacturing.
Barber and Osgerby said: 'We wanted to make the most of pioneering production technologies and to demonstrate the industrial excellence available in the UK. We are incredibly proud to be representing the UK, in design. We’ve worked hard to create a Torch that universally celebrates both the Paralympic and Olympic Relays and which reflects the passion for London 2012.'
Four Flames will be lit as part of a new concept for the Paralympic Torch Relay, one each in London, Greater Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff. The Flames will be lit using the energy of physical human endeavour. Each nation will also host events celebrating the Flame Lightings. The four Flames will be united at the Paralympic Flame Lighting Ceremony at Stoke Mandeville, the spiritual home of the Paralympic Movement to create the London 2012 Paralympic Flame. This Flame will be carried on a 24 hour overnight Relay to London and the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games.
Over 150 school teams from across the UK are taking part in STEM Challenge 9: The Paralympic Torch Relay Challenge, an Inspire mark project, where groups of 11 to 14-year-olds students are investigating how to create a spark by the energy of human endeavour to light the Paralympic Flame. STEMNET is shortlisting finalists, with the final taking place on Saturday 17th March at The Big Bang UK Science and Engineering Fair 2012. The winning team will receive prize money to support their school STEM Club and access to a Paralympic Torch Relay event.
33 communities from across the UK have taken the opportunity to host Flame Celebration’s over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Each celebration will be unique and have a flavour of the local area but will have the Paralympic values at its core.
In addition to the Flame Festivals and Flame Celebrations, the whole of the UK will be encouraged to help light the way to the Paralympic Games by lighting a lantern. To get involved, please visit http://www.london2012.com/get-involved/local-leaders/lantern-festival/
Sir Philip Craven, International Paralympic Committee President, said: 'I am delighted with the plans for the Paralympic Torch Relay as LOCOG and the IPC have worked closely to develop a concept that will not only capture the attention of the whole country but also act as a blueprint for Organizing Committees of future Games.
'I think it is brilliant that the actual Paralympic Flame, that will be used to light the Cauldron in the Opening Ceremony on 29 August, will be created at Stoke Mandeville, a place steeped in Paralympic history. The Games are coming home in six months time and it is only right that we celebrate the significance of Stoke Mandeville, the Paralympic Movement’s birthplace.'
The three Presenting Partners for the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay, BT, Lloyds TSB, and Sainsbury’s have each carried out a public nomination process to find some of the most inspirational teams across the UK to carry the Paralympic Flame. There were over 3500 nominations and they are now going through judging before the successful teams are announced in the next couple of months. The Relay will also include nominations from the International Paralympic Committee, the British Paralympic Association and other London 2012 sponsors.
Suzi Williams, Director, BT Group Marketing and Brand, added: 'Here at BT we’ve been involved in the Paralympics for decades and we understand the power of Paralympic sport to inspire all of us. The unveiling of the Paralympic Torch design today – with just six months to go - will help to inspire the teams of amazing people we’re bringing together to run with the Flame.'
Sally Hancock, Director, 2012 Partnership and Group Sponsorship at Lloyds Banking Group said: 'As the only Presenting Partner of both the Paralympic and Olympic Torch Relays, Lloyds TSB is proud to be bringing the spirit of the Games closer to communities.
'We had a fantastic response from the public last year, nominating people who have supported and inspired people in their community to carry the Paralympic Flame. With six months to go until the start of the Relay it’s great to see the excitement building as the Paralympic Torch is unveiled and communities prepare to celebrate at Flame Festivals around the UK.'
Gwyn Burr, Customer Service & Colleague Director at Sainsbury’s, said: 'We have been overwhelmed by the stories of determination, inspiration and courage which have been shared with us as part of our UK-wide nominations process. We look forward to sharing these stories with our customers and colleagues once the successful teams have been announced and to seeing the efforts of these incredible people rewarded with a genuine once-in-a-lifetime experience.'
Notes to editors
Paralympic Torch Relay dates and events:
24 August 2012 - London Flame lighting event
25 August 2012 – Greater Belfast area Flame lighting event and Flame Festival
26 August 2012 - Edinburgh Flame lighting event and Flame Festival
27 August 2012 - Cardiff Flame lighting event and Flame Festival
28 August 2012 - Stoke Mandeville special ceremony to bring together all four Flames to create the Paralympic Flame and 24 hour relay begins
29 August 2012 - Paralympic Flame arrives at the Stadium in time for the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games
More information about the London 2012 Torch design: 
  •     The Torch is made up of an inner and an outer skin. These skins are held in place by a cast top piece and base.
  •     Although appearing completely seamless the Torch body is actually made from six components.
  •     The 8,000 circles offer a transparency that allows people to see right to the heart of the Torch and view the burner system which will keep the Flame alive.
  •     It is 800mm tall which will allow for it to be seen above crowds even when carried by the youngest Torchbearer.
  •     The final Torch will house a burner system that will feed the Flame.
  •     The construction helps to ensure that the weight of the Torch is once again kept to a minimum whilst conveying great simplicity.
The London 2012 multiples of three: 
  •     Three Olympic Values – respect, excellence and friendship
  •     The UK has hosted the Olympic Games three times
  •     The vision for London 2012 combines three strands of work – sport, education and culture
  •     The three Agitos
London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay Presenting Partners
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services, operating in more than 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.
BT is the official communications services partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and a Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay.
In the year ended 31 March 2011, BT Group’s revenue was £20,076 million with profit before taxation of £1,717 million.
British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.
Enquiries relating to BT’s nomination programme for Paralympic Torch Relay Torchbearers should be made to the BT Group Newsroom on its 24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK dial + 44 20 7356 5369.
Lloyds TSB is the exclusive Banking & Insurance Partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and partner of the London 2012 ticketing programme and the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays. The Bank is committed to inspire and support young people, businesses and communities across Britain in the lead up to London 2012.
As a National Presenting Partner for the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay, Lloyds TSB will be taking the spirit and inspiration of the Paralympic 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. Be the first to hear how to follow the Paralympic and Olympic Flames, through our customer-exclusive programme Trackside. For more information on how Lloyds TSB is helping take the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to all corners of Britain.
Sainsbury’s is proud to be a Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay. Sainsbury’s is committed to promoting a healthier, more active lifestyle for all, regardless of ability, and supporting the values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality on which the Paralympic Movement was founded.
Sainsbury’s will be using its partnership of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay to engage and celebrate those who make a lasting difference in attitudes towards disability in the UK and create opportunities for change in disabled people’s lives.
Sainsbury's is the first ever Paralympic Games-only sponsor and this landmark commitment to the Paralympic Movement is the largest sponsorship ever of a Paralympic Games.
For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office.
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 one domestic Tier Three Paralympic Games-only Supplier, Otto Bock. The London 2012 Paralympic Games also acknowledges the support of the National Lottery.

Giant Olympic Rings Launched on the River Thames


Giant Olympic Rings Launched on the River Thames


The Mayor of London Boris Johnson today launched a set of giant Olympic Rings onto the River Thames as he announced a programme of cultural events to celebrate London 2012.

 London Olympics 2012 : Giant Olympic Rings Launched on the River Thames

(PRWEB) February 28, 2012
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson today launched a set of giant Olympic Rings onto the River Thames as he announced a programme of cultural events to celebrateLondon 2012.
From 21 July – 9 September, live music, outdoor arts and 'pop up' events will take place throughout London. Ranging from an original fusion of ballet and film to a floating opera, the programme will provide extra opportunities to get involved with the London 2012 Festival
Boris Johnson was joined by Ruth Mackenzie, Director of the London 2012 Festival, to make the announcement.
He said: 'We're creating the biggest festival of outdoor arts ever to be seen in the capital, as well as fantastic new work that will throw new light on some of our city's lesser-known landmarks and hidden gems.
'Wherever you are you will feel a part of the 2012 celebrations and experience a summer like no other in one of the most exciting cities on earth.'
Free cultural events
As part of the London 2012 Festival, the Mayor has commissioned a series of free cultural events called Secrets: Hidden London. Taking place across the city, the programme includes a floating opera inspired by The Owl And The Pussycat and Like a Fish out of Water, an English National Ballet creation capturing the nostalgia of three of London's lidos.
London 2012 Festival Director Ruth Mackenzie said : 'With millions of free tickets and opportunities to take part, Londoners and tourists will truly have a summer like no other, thanks to the partnership between the Mayor's office and London 2012 Festival.'
Outdoor arts festival
Supported by Arts Council England, the Mayor has also created Showtime, London's biggest ever outdoor arts festival, which will see the best of outdoor performance brought to every borough.
Tony Hall, Chair of London 2012 Festival and Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House, said: 'As well as the London 2012 Festival, the Mayor of London’s programme of free cultural events across the whole of London gives every Londoner the opportunity to share in these celebrations wherever they live.'
For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

London Olympics 1908 Vs 2012

The London Olympics In 1908 And 2012


When London first hosted the Olympics back in 1908, tug-of-war was an official sport, the budget was just 80,000 pounds, and African and Asian nations weren\'t even invited. As London prepares to welcome the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we discover what\'s changed over 104 years.

Organisation

1908: The 1908 Olympics were originally awarded to Rome but the Italians pulled out, citing the cost of reconstruction following an eruption of Mount Vesuvius. London stepped in as host city and, despite the rushed preparations, pulled together one of the best organised of the first Games.

2012: London beat favourites Paris to host the 2012 Games by 54 votes to 50. The result was received in London with huge cheers by flag-waving supporters who had gathered in Trafalgar Square to hear the news.

The Olympic Stadium

1908: For the first time, a dedicated Olympic Stadium was built. Known as White City, the new arena had space for 68,000 spectators and took just 10 months to build at a cost of 60,000 pounds.

2012: The 2012 stadium is currently being built on an \'island\' in the Olympic Park, Stratford. Construction on the 80,000-capacity stadium began in 2008 and is expected to be completed next year.

Diversity at the Games

1908: There was little diversity to be found at the 1908 Olympics. The first Paralympic Games wasn\'t held until 1960 so there were no disabled athletes, and out of the 2,008 competing athletes, just 37 were women.

2012: There are now 205 National Olympic Committees, each representing a different country from Uzbekistan to Uganda. 10,500 athletes are expected to take part in the 2012 Olympic Games, and 4,200 in the Paralympics.

Opening ceremony

1908: For the first time, the competitors paraded behind their countries\' flags. However the flags of Sweden and the United States were not displayed in the main stadium, provoking furious protests. The Swedes boycotted the ceremony, while Team American refused to dip their flag to the Royal Box.

2012: Opening ceremonies have become a huge part of the Olympics, watched by one in three people around the world. Something that didn\'t exist in 1908 but is a key element of the festivities today is the Olympic Flame, which was first lit at the 1928 Amsterdam Games.

Duration of the Games

1908: The 4th Olympic games began on 27 April 1908 and ended on 21 October 1908 an incredible stretch of nearly 6 months!

2012: The 2012 Olympics is due to kick off on 27 July and will end on 12 August. The Paralympic Games will follow, taking place from 29 August to 9 September.

Strange sports

1908: Bicycle polo, tug-of-war and motor-boating were some of the more unusual (and since dropped) Olympic sports in 1908.

2012: The 26 sports that make up the Olympics today include beach volleyball, basketball and taekwondo. Who knows what the 1908 athletes would have made of them!

Courage under fire

1908: Dorando Pietri won the marathon to huge roars from the stadium audience. In the scorching July heat, he collapsed 5 times en route and even ran the wrong way in the final stages. The Italian athlete was later stripped of his gold medal for having been helped over the finishing line by officials but his near-death experience made him a worldwide hero.

2012: Oscar Pistorius was banned from competing as an able-bodied athlete in the Beijing Olympics after the IAAF decided his artificial running legs gave him an unfair advantage. The determined South African sprinter fought and overturned the ruling and has now set his sights on the 2012 Games.

Gold medals

1908: Great Britain topped the Olympic table with an incredible 56 gold medals, more than double the second-ranked United States team who won 23 gold.

2012: How many medals will Team GB win this year? Place your bets now!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/the-london-olympics-in-1908-and-2012-2138562.html

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