London 2012 Olympic Games countdown begins‎

http://www.timesofearth.com/ Exactly two years from today and the world will be looking to London for the start of the Olympic Games on Friday 27 July 2012.

And to mark the two years to go milestone, London 2012 organisers are calling on the UK public to start planning their games to ensure they don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime event.

To celebrate the countdown, athletes and young people will today (27 July) join Organising Committee chair Seb Coe, Olympic Delivery Authority chairman John Armitt, Olympics Minister Rt Hon Hugh Robertson MP and Mayor of London Boris Johnson on the train from St Pancras International to Stratford International.

The group will then take a tour of the Olympic Park and, for the first time, step inside venues to witness first hand the progress being made in construction. They will also walk across the main spectator bridge which will be the 'front door' to the Olympic Park in 2012, joined by 70 athletes.

Later today, young athletes will join multi-Olympic medallist Michael Johnson running inside the Olympic Stadium on a specially laid track. Gold medal winning cyclist, Sir Chris Hoy, will welcome visitors to the 2012 velodrome and become the first person to cycling around the new track. Former NBA star John Amaechi will accompany young basketball players and shoot the first hoop inside the basketball arena.

As London plays hosts to the high profile event, estate agents are anticipating a surge in demand for London rental properties. Home owners and those with self catering accommodation in London to rent will no doubt be hoping to achieve increased rates during the Olympics.

Seb Coe said: "There are two years to go until the Olympic Games begin and we want everyone to start planning their once-in-a-lifetime experience in 2012. We are well on track -- the venues are nearing completion and our plans are coming together.

"Now it's the public's turn. How will you spend the summer of 2012? Whether it's buying a ticket, becoming a volunteer, being part of our education or culture programmes -- there are hundreds of ways you can get involved. Don't wait - to ensure you don't miss out, start planning your Games now."

John Armitt added: "The skyline of east London has changed dramatically over the last few months as the venues take shape. It is a sign of the strong progress we have made that we are able to stage these events on the site today and give the public a glimpse inside the world class new sports venues being built for the Games. There is still a long way to go and we are not complacent but the foundations for success are now in place."

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[TimFrith24]

@redlollypop2011 British artists such as Adele, Tiao Cruz, James Blunt, Jessie J, Joss Stone, Natasha Bedingfield, Leona Lewis, Duffy, K.T. Tinstall, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Coldplay, Susan Boyle, Tom Jones and The Two Door Cinema Club will be performing in both opening and closing ceremionies at the 2012 London Olympics.

[TimFrith24]

@mrtoomy New York came in fourth in the 2012 Summer Olympics bid.

[mrtoomy]

@TimFrith24 What's your point?

[redlollypop2011]

@TimFrith24 YH but we have great artists still like adele tinie tempah etc i dont know who is performing though? do u\?

[MsGera1994]

This time for England! Waka Waka)

[TimFrith24]

If New York City had won the bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, American artists such as Britney Spears, the Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Green Day, Taylor Swift, Maroon 5, Katy Perry, Alicia Keys and Miley Cyrus would've performed in the opening and closing ceremonies.

[zennybobZz]

@iL0VEwomensfeet The Beijing staduim was built as there main new city staduim like wembley is for us , so the budget was higher , the reason why ours is like this is because it has been designed Not for looks , but for sustainability. Its been designed to reduce seets after the games therefore reducing the cost to keep it up. therefore alone a more creative design . if you read more about it, the cover that will wrap around the waist of the structure will be made from eco-friendly material.

[remixchild]

@supervisionism give me a fucking break

[boondoggle6]

England - the country where they loot charity shops and the streets run with blood. The future is youth - there is no future.

[NassarUAE]

That'll be a interesting day ......