2011
31
Mar
A female security guard (dog handler) was been arrested on Tuesday in Pudding Mill Lane, near the Olympic stadium site, on suspicion of possessing explosives.Scotland Yard said that the woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of a “very small amo…
2011
30
Mar
Construction on London 2012’s Olympic stadium is now complete. Started in May 2008, the 80,000-seat stadium has grown over the past three years from its foundations into one of the most remarkable buildings on London’s eastern skyline. The final piece of turf was laid at an event attended by International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission Chairman Denis Oswald, IOC Athletes’ Commission Chairman Frank Fredericks, London 2012 Chair Sebastian Coe, Olympic Delivery Authority Chairman John Armitt, IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Gilbert Felli, and 400m hurdles Olympic medallist Tasha Danvers.
Commenting on the occasion, Denis Oswald said: “What a fantastic stadium! As host of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, this arena will provide the first and last memories that many people will have of London’s, and I have no doubt that it will provide the perfect stage. When the athletes see what has been created here, I am sure that they too will be inspired to reach new heights in their sport. Congratulations to all of those involved in creating this unique and spectacular theatre.”
Speaking after seeing the stadium, Frank Fredericks said: “Athletes that have spent a lifetime training for their Olympic dream deserve to be able to achieve it in the best possible conditions. I believe that those competing here in 2012 will not be disappointed. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the construction of London’s Olympic stadium for producing a truly outstanding sporting arena. When filled with fans at Games time, I am certain that the atmosphere will drive many of the competitors to achieve new personal bests and create unique moments of Olympic history.”
With construction now complete, work will continue on the fit-out of the new stadium. The final track surface will be laid later this year by the London 2012 Organising Committee in order to avoid it being damaged during the large amount of temporary overlay construction that will be needed in preparation for the Ceremonies and the Games. The stadium will host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, as well as the athletics competitions.
London was elected as the host city for the Games of the XXX Olympiad on 6 July 2005 at the 117th IOC Session in Singapore. London eventually succeeded in the fourth round of voting, taking 54 votes from a possible 104. London faced stiff opposition during the vote from the other four candidate cities: Paris, New York, Moscow and Madrid. There will be 26 sports on the Olympic programme in London in 2012 and around 10,500 athletes.
2011
29
Mar
The government has woken up to the fact that the absurd row between the British Olympics Association (BOA) and Locog, over the share of post Olympics spoils (if there are any), is severely damaging what is already a rather tainted brand.The Sports Mini…
2011
25
Mar
I noted earlier this month that the British Olympic Association (BOA) seems to be “pissing money away”.Not content with the flow rate of piss, the BOA have now got themselves involved in a costly and time consuming legal spat with Locog.The Guardian re…
2011
24
Mar
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced an agreement with ELTA Technology Co. Ltd. (ELTA) for the broadcast and exhibition rights within Chinese Taipei to the Games of the XXX Olympiad (2012) in London.
ELTA has acquired the broadcast and exhibition rights across all broadcast platforms, including free-to-air television, subscription television, radio, the internet and mobile phone.
IOC President Jacques Rogge said: “We are delighted to continue our successful relationship with ELTA which began ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.”
IOC Executive Board member Richard Carrión, who led the negotiations, said: “ELTA have proved that they are an excellent broadcast partner for the Olympic Games, using cutting-edge technology to provide the best possible broadcast experience across a variety of platforms. We look forward to working with them to making unprecedented coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games available in Chinese Taipei.”
Sally Chen, CEO of ELTA said: “We are delighted to acquire the rights for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Our continuing partnership with the IOC since 2008 has helped ELTA achieve new goals and accomplishments within our industry. As the digital age keeps evolving at a lightning-fast pace, we always create new and innovative services to enhance our viewers’ experience of the Olympic Games.”
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ELTA, created in 2000, is the leading video over Internet service provider in Chinese Taipei. The company specialises in acquiring licensed video content and production for hybrid IP networks. ELTA is the sole distributor for many international broadcasting companies for IP networks, and a pioneer of HD and 3D broadcasting within Chinese Taipei. Distribution channels include CHT’s MOD service, HiChannel (internet broadband portal) and 3G mobile networks within the territory.
To contact ELTA: Peter Cheng, Vice President, ELTA Technology Co., Ltd., Tel: +886-2-2341-1100 x 250, e-mail: pcheng@elta.com.tw
For further information, please contact the IOC Communications Department, Tel: +41 21 621 60 00, e-mail: pressoffice@olympic.org
YouTube: www.youtube.com/iocmedia
For an extensive selection of photos available shortly after each event, please follow us on Flickr
To request archive photos and footage, please contact our Images team at: images@olympic.org
For up-to-the-minute information on the IOC and regular updates, please follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
2011
23
Mar
2011
21
Mar
Organisers of the London 2012 Olympics, on the pretext of “security”, are considering banning spectators from bringing mobile phones and picnics to Olympics events.Flasks, thermoses and larger quantities of food will all be banned.Liquids of more than …
2011
16
Mar
To add to the woes of the London 2012 Olympics organisers, who were already looking rather foolish for the glitch that prevents certain Visa card holders from buying tickets for the games, the 500 day countdown clock in Trafalgar Square (that was activ…
2011
15
Mar
London 2012 began its 500-days-to-go celebrations yesterday with the unveiling of the OMEGA countdown clock in Trafalgar Square. As official timekeeper for the London 2012 Games, OMEGA has provided a large countdown clock that will allow Londoners to see the days, hours, minutes and seconds until London’s big day on 27 July 2012 – the day of the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. In addition, Olympic tickets have also gone on sale around the world, with sports and Olympic fans now able to apply to see the world’s best athletes compete at the Games.
Described by London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) Chairman Sebastian Coe as the “greatest tickets on earth”, now is your chance to apply for tickets to the London 2012 Olympic Games. UK and residents of designated European countries can apply through London 2012’s ticketing website at any time during the 42-day application period. It is not a first-come, first-served system within the UK, so take your time and decide which events you want to try and attend with your family and friends. Fans living outside the UK (including in the designated European countries) will be able to apply for tickets through their local National Olympic Committee (NOC) and/or its Authorised Ticket Reseller (ATR). Sales processes may vary according to territory, so fans are encouraged to contact their NOC and/or local ATR for more details. We are proud to work with Worldwide TOP Partner Visa as the exclusive payment services provider.
Summing up what fans can expect in 2012, LOCOG Chairman Coe said, “London will be a fantastic place to be in the summer of 2012, with a unique atmosphere, and we look forward to welcoming the world to our city and to the UK. There is a huge range of tickets available, to see the best athletes in the world competing. My message is simple – be there.”
The OMEGA countdown clock was unveiled by four Olympic gold medallists from Team GB – rowers Pete Reed and Andy Hodge and sailors Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson. It stands 6.5 metres high, is 5 metres long and weighs around 4 tonnes. Its design reflects the look of the Games, with the beams of light on the clock being inspired by London and its connection with the Meridian Line in Greenwich, the home of time. The final countdown has now well and truly begun for those athletes looking to be at the London Games in 500 days’ time.
London was elected as the host city for the Games of the XXX Olympiad on 6 July 2005 at the 117th IOC Session in Singapore. London eventually succeeded in the fourth round of voting, taking 54 votes from a possible 104. London faced stiff opposition during the vote from the other four candidate cities: Paris, New York, Moscow and Madrid. There will be 26 sports on the Olympic programme in London in 2012 and around 10,500 athletes.
2011
7
Mar
A working party has been set up to look into the possibilities of running the Tube 24 hours a day during the 2012 London Olympics.Suffice to say, Bob Crow the RMT spokesman has put his boot into the idea by noting that there is no union agreement over …