I was the nominated British judge at the European Synchronised Swimming Championships, Eindhoven, The Netherlands earlier this month. It is the major European event of the year and with the Olympic qualifiers less than 5 weeks away, there was a real sense of excitement but also pressure on both swimmers and officials to put in some good performances.
Officiating at major events has taken on extra interest for me as LOCOG begins the meticulous preparation of the customer experiences to ensure that all our client groups, from athletes, spectators, partners to, of course, technical officials have a truly memorable experience. Every opportunity to learn from others is soaked up at London 2012, so during my stay I was constantly looking for ways of helping my colleagues with information.
The Dutch people were fabulous hosts, I met several of the wonderful 600 volunteers from Netherlands, Belgium and France, all of whom were so proud to be involved in this event.
The opening ceremony was held at the town hall. Apart from the traditional speeches from the organisers, the Mayor, the Queen’s representative, it was a very passionate speech from the president of the Dutch Olympic Committee, herself a European Swimming Champion indicating their desire to host an Olympic and Paralympic Games in the future. Their target date...2028, 100 years since they last hosted the Games. A cool laser show and an appearance by Splashy the mascot finished the evening.
Splashy takes a break from the water:
Officiating at major events has taken on extra interest for me as LOCOG begins the meticulous preparation of the customer experiences to ensure that all our client groups, from athletes, spectators, partners to, of course, technical officials have a truly memorable experience. Every opportunity to learn from others is soaked up at London 2012, so during my stay I was constantly looking for ways of helping my colleagues with information.
The Dutch people were fabulous hosts, I met several of the wonderful 600 volunteers from Netherlands, Belgium and France, all of whom were so proud to be involved in this event.
The opening ceremony was held at the town hall. Apart from the traditional speeches from the organisers, the Mayor, the Queen’s representative, it was a very passionate speech from the president of the Dutch Olympic Committee, herself a European Swimming Champion indicating their desire to host an Olympic and Paralympic Games in the future. Their target date...2028, 100 years since they last hosted the Games. A cool laser show and an appearance by Splashy the mascot finished the evening.
Splashy takes a break from the water:
Attending the Modern Pentathlon World Cup
Pete, Sports team, 31 March 2008
I’ll start with a short History lesson…
The first Pentathlon was introduced at the 18th Olympiad in 708 BC, probably by the Spartans as a method of training soldiers. It consisted of running the length of the stadium, jumping, throwing a spear, throwing the discus and wrestling. This multi-disciplined event held a position of unique importance in the Games and was considered to be the climax, with the winner ranked as ‘Victor Ludorum’.
Admiration for the Pentathlon was shared by the founder of the Modern Olympic Movement, Baron Pierre de Coubertin whose efforts to have the event introduced into the Olympic programme had begun in 1909, and after two failed attempts, were rewarded in 1911 when he announced ‘The Holy Ghost of sport illuminated my colleagues and they accepted a competition to which I attach great importance’.
The first Pentathlon was introduced at the 18th Olympiad in 708 BC, probably by the Spartans as a method of training soldiers. It consisted of running the length of the stadium, jumping, throwing a spear, throwing the discus and wrestling. This multi-disciplined event held a position of unique importance in the Games and was considered to be the climax, with the winner ranked as ‘Victor Ludorum’.
Admiration for the Pentathlon was shared by the founder of the Modern Olympic Movement, Baron Pierre de Coubertin whose efforts to have the event introduced into the Olympic programme had begun in 1909, and after two failed attempts, were rewarded in 1911 when he announced ‘The Holy Ghost of sport illuminated my colleagues and they accepted a competition to which I attach great importance’.
Video: archaeological finds from Olympic Park
The 2012 Editor, 28 March 2008
Watch a video filmed at the Olympic Delivery Authority's 'discover' event, discussing archaeological items found on the Olympic Park.
Inspiring the young
Cathy, Hockey Bronze medalist, 28 March 2008
The Sporting Champions programme is all about encouraging people, particularly young people, to feel more passionate about sport so I was incredibly excited when London won the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2005 as it will be such an inspiring event for the capital and for the whole country.
With only four years to go until the Games come to the UK, it was great to have the chance to be involved with the Get Set London roadshow when it came to Hammersmith & Fulham on 26th March.
With only four years to go until the Games come to the UK, it was great to have the chance to be involved with the Get Set London roadshow when it came to Hammersmith & Fulham on 26th March.
Hi and welcome to my very first blog!
My name is Gabre Minkah and I've been introduced to London 2012 via an award from the Cultural Leadership Programme to undertake a six month 'peach' placement as a Youth Culture Associate for the creative industries - specifically fashion, film, dance and carnival.
As a Youth Culture Associate I am an advocate and champion for youth involvement for the major projects of the Cultural Olympiad. My role here is to ensure that youth involvement and engagement is at the heart of all we do. To achieve this I will be working with cultural leaders, institutions, community groups and artist’s to stimulate, encourage, and nurture young talent and innovation. I really believe that this is essential to building a positive legacy for the creative industries.
In my first three weeks of being here, I've already seen the Culture Team reach the important milestone of announcing that the Cultural Olympiad is 'open for business'. I've also attended meetings to do with carnival, dance and the Handover Ceremony and have visited the Olympic Park - and this is only the start!
My name is Gabre Minkah and I've been introduced to London 2012 via an award from the Cultural Leadership Programme to undertake a six month 'peach' placement as a Youth Culture Associate for the creative industries - specifically fashion, film, dance and carnival.
As a Youth Culture Associate I am an advocate and champion for youth involvement for the major projects of the Cultural Olympiad. My role here is to ensure that youth involvement and engagement is at the heart of all we do. To achieve this I will be working with cultural leaders, institutions, community groups and artist’s to stimulate, encourage, and nurture young talent and innovation. I really believe that this is essential to building a positive legacy for the creative industries.
In my first three weeks of being here, I've already seen the Culture Team reach the important milestone of announcing that the Cultural Olympiad is 'open for business'. I've also attended meetings to do with carnival, dance and the Handover Ceremony and have visited the Olympic Park - and this is only the start!
What a month it's been. I can't believe I've only just started here - 6 weeks and counting! In case you missed it, the 'Inspire mark' was announced this month - as part of the commitment to make London 2012 'everyone's Games'. The cultural sector is the first of six areas which will use this mark and will allow not-for-profit cultural organisations, who are inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic Games, to be officially part of the Cultural Olympiad.
If you're a not-for-profit cultural organisation and you'd like to be involved, you need to have an idea and then check it against our set of criteria (which you can find in the Culture section on this site). Then you need to contact your Creative Programmer and let them know what you're thinking. They will help you take it from there.
Who are the Creative Programmers I hear you cry? Well, most of you already have a Creative Programmer in your nation or region of the UK, or will soon get one - I would like to introduce them to you here...I'm excited about working with a group of people who all come from very different backgrounds and have particular areas of expertise to contribute to the whole programme, not just what happens in their particular region. It's a great team and the level of commitment is really impressive.
If you're a not-for-profit cultural organisation and you'd like to be involved, you need to have an idea and then check it against our set of criteria (which you can find in the Culture section on this site). Then you need to contact your Creative Programmer and let them know what you're thinking. They will help you take it from there.
Who are the Creative Programmers I hear you cry? Well, most of you already have a Creative Programmer in your nation or region of the UK, or will soon get one - I would like to introduce them to you here...I'm excited about working with a group of people who all come from very different backgrounds and have particular areas of expertise to contribute to the whole programme, not just what happens in their particular region. It's a great team and the level of commitment is really impressive.
I work in the Museum of London’s Archaeological Archive, where I get to curate London’s archaeology.
Part of my job is outreach work and today I was involved in an event organised by the ODA at the Museum In Docklands. The event was to launch a series of archaeological activities connected with the redevelopment of the Olympic Park.
Teaching some school children about the Olympic Park finds:
Part of my job is outreach work and today I was involved in an event organised by the ODA at the Museum In Docklands. The event was to launch a series of archaeological activities connected with the redevelopment of the Olympic Park.
Teaching some school children about the Olympic Park finds:
Read more of “Educating schools on Olympic Park archaeology”
Demolishing the Olympic Park for construction
Noel, Project Manager, Olympic Park demolition, 27 March 2008
I’m the Project Manager working on the demolition phase on the Olympic Park. I assist with the preparation of all risk assessments, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSSH) assessments and method statements (instructions on how to safely perform a task) which have to be in place before any work is undertaken.
Immediately before work starts it is my job to brief the workforce on the operation they are about to undertake, to emphasise the risks that I’ve assessed they may encounter, detail to them the control measures I’ve put in place to minimise these risks, and ensure each operative has the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) to comply with the task without exposing them to any injury.
Immediately before work starts it is my job to brief the workforce on the operation they are about to undertake, to emphasise the risks that I’ve assessed they may encounter, detail to them the control measures I’ve put in place to minimise these risks, and ensure each operative has the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) to comply with the task without exposing them to any injury.
Read more of “Demolishing the Olympic Park for construction”
Last week I joined my parliamentary colleagues on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for a tour of the Olympic Park site. The PAC will play a key role in the next few years examining the way public money is being spent to deliver the 2012 Games. We all want to make sure that the Games is a fantastic national event but we also want to ensure that the public money going into the Games is spent efficiently, effectively, and in a way that achieves best value for money for the public. With such a high profile like 2012, I have no doubt the PAC will play an important role over the coming years.
For many of my colleagues it was their first visit to the Park and ODA Chairman, John Armitt, updated us on the progress to date and the next key milestones in their delivery process. It was a good opportunity for members to discuss and raise questions with John in a relatively informal atmosphere and away from the sometimes formal nature of an evidence session in Westminster.
Unlike my colleagues I have visited the site on several occasions over the last five years. My previous ministerial responsibilities in London and with the housing brief saw me involved with the plans for long term regeneration of the Thames Gateway. What was evident at an early stage was the potential for the 2012 Games to be catalyst for the long term regeneration of this area.
For many of my colleagues it was their first visit to the Park and ODA Chairman, John Armitt, updated us on the progress to date and the next key milestones in their delivery process. It was a good opportunity for members to discuss and raise questions with John in a relatively informal atmosphere and away from the sometimes formal nature of an evidence session in Westminster.
Unlike my colleagues I have visited the site on several occasions over the last five years. My previous ministerial responsibilities in London and with the housing brief saw me involved with the plans for long term regeneration of the Thames Gateway. What was evident at an early stage was the potential for the 2012 Games to be catalyst for the long term regeneration of this area.
Roll on 2012
Sarah, Islington Council, 26 March 2008
The annual Islington Primary Sports Hall Athletics Championships took place at the Sobell Leisure Centre last week and had a special addition this year – the Get Set London roadshow!
Hundreds of kids who were competing in the contest as well as lots more school groups from across the borough came along to get their taster of how fun sport can be and to find out more about London 2012.
The event was packed with everyone wanting a go on the Batak and rowing machines and when Jonathan Edwards arrived to open the event it really gave them a treat!
Hundreds of kids who were competing in the contest as well as lots more school groups from across the borough came along to get their taster of how fun sport can be and to find out more about London 2012.
The event was packed with everyone wanting a go on the Batak and rowing machines and when Jonathan Edwards arrived to open the event it really gave them a treat!
From a mile along the Thames to eighty thousand miles around the world
Bill, Culture and Events Chief, 24 March 2008
It’s a bit like standing on a high diving platform – you’re second in the queue and the diver in front completes a perfect “10”. As your toes curl over the edge and you stare down below you suddenly remember you’ve not yet learnt to swim….
That was just one of the emotions pulsing through me earlier today at the Torch Lighting Ceremony for the 2008 Olympic Games, here in Ancient Olympia. In the most exquisitely simple ceremony in the Temple of Hera, the rays of the spring sun are concentrated by a parabolic mirror to ignite the first Torch of the 2008 Olympic Relay. It’s a piece of theatre that draws its elements from the ancient Olympic Games which started here almost three thousand years ago – but in just four years time the same ceremony will fire up the London 2012 Games. So much to do, so much to learn and we’re next in the queue.
The Hellenic Olympic Committee mounts the Torch lighting ceremony for every Games. They couldn’t want for a better theatre, set or props. The ruins of the Temple of Hera sit in the most tranquil of settings; olive groves and majestic cypress trees punctuating the ruins of the most sophisticated athletics facilities in the world back in 600BC. Last summer’s forest fires devastated this region, but miraculously the scorched earth and wasted hillsides stop just at the edge of this ancient site.
That was just one of the emotions pulsing through me earlier today at the Torch Lighting Ceremony for the 2008 Olympic Games, here in Ancient Olympia. In the most exquisitely simple ceremony in the Temple of Hera, the rays of the spring sun are concentrated by a parabolic mirror to ignite the first Torch of the 2008 Olympic Relay. It’s a piece of theatre that draws its elements from the ancient Olympic Games which started here almost three thousand years ago – but in just four years time the same ceremony will fire up the London 2012 Games. So much to do, so much to learn and we’re next in the queue.
The Hellenic Olympic Committee mounts the Torch lighting ceremony for every Games. They couldn’t want for a better theatre, set or props. The ruins of the Temple of Hera sit in the most tranquil of settings; olive groves and majestic cypress trees punctuating the ruins of the most sophisticated athletics facilities in the world back in 600BC. Last summer’s forest fires devastated this region, but miraculously the scorched earth and wasted hillsides stop just at the edge of this ancient site.
Read more of “From a mile along the Thames to eighty thousand miles around the world”
The Edmonton Leisure Centre in Enfield welcomed the Get Set London roadshow to on the day of its official opening. The leisure centre is a major addition to the range of leisure and sport facilities for people in the borough so the presence of the roadshow was a great addition to the day and gave them the opportunity to show support for the Games in London in 2012.
It also gave young people from within the borough the chance to engage with the opportunities that London 2012 will provide and find out more about the facilities in their neighbourhoods. Several schools brought groups of pupils along, including Kingsmead, Hazelbury Primary school and Lea Valley High School.
As well as being able to try out all the interactive sports kit and getting their free photo taken, the pupils also enjoyed a special performance of Going For Gold which was held in the sports hall. Going For Gold, a production commissioned by the Learning & Skills Council, is designed to encourage 14-16 year olds to think about their futures and find out how they can benefit from the opportunities that London 2012 will bring. It’s vital that London uses this historic event to inspire and motivate everyone to improve their skills and fire their passions. It definitely had an impact on the young people in Enfield!
It also gave young people from within the borough the chance to engage with the opportunities that London 2012 will provide and find out more about the facilities in their neighbourhoods. Several schools brought groups of pupils along, including Kingsmead, Hazelbury Primary school and Lea Valley High School.
As well as being able to try out all the interactive sports kit and getting their free photo taken, the pupils also enjoyed a special performance of Going For Gold which was held in the sports hall. Going For Gold, a production commissioned by the Learning & Skills Council, is designed to encourage 14-16 year olds to think about their futures and find out how they can benefit from the opportunities that London 2012 will bring. It’s vital that London uses this historic event to inspire and motivate everyone to improve their skills and fire their passions. It definitely had an impact on the young people in Enfield!
On the day that McAlpine and Nuttalls were meeting for the handover of the Stadium site it was good to get out and take a look at the progress as we enter the Easter Break.
Sam Stevens of CLM and Graham Hughes, an old colleague from my Laing days, took me on a tour of the demolition activity of the StageCoach bus station site, then on to the site of the materials entry plaza to see the drainage works and site preparation.
From there we went down to the Nuttalls offices to meet various teams, including Halcrow and Atkins and then over to the Stadium site which is looking fantastic. Such a transformation in a few months.
Finally we visited the Aquatics site; saw the river wall works and met more of the site team. By now the weather had changed which provided a good reminder of what it’s like on site when the wind and rain are combined.
Overall it was great to see the progress we have made and the transformation of the last nine months. Thanks to everyone, today was a great example of what can be achieve by cross company team work.
Sam Stevens of CLM and Graham Hughes, an old colleague from my Laing days, took me on a tour of the demolition activity of the StageCoach bus station site, then on to the site of the materials entry plaza to see the drainage works and site preparation.
From there we went down to the Nuttalls offices to meet various teams, including Halcrow and Atkins and then over to the Stadium site which is looking fantastic. Such a transformation in a few months.
Finally we visited the Aquatics site; saw the river wall works and met more of the site team. By now the weather had changed which provided a good reminder of what it’s like on site when the wind and rain are combined.
Overall it was great to see the progress we have made and the transformation of the last nine months. Thanks to everyone, today was a great example of what can be achieve by cross company team work.
Cymru’n dod i Lundain - Wales comes to London
Rhodri Glyn Thomas, Welsh Sports Minister, 20 March 2008
(English below)
Yn sgil buddugoliaeth wych Cymru ym mhencampwriaeth y Chwe Gwlad, teithiais i bencadlys Gemau Olympaidd 2012 yn Llundain i gyfarfod â Sebastian Coe, a’i dîm yn LOCOG, i siarad am y ffordd orau y gall Cymru gyfan fanteisio ar y Gemau. Mae ein timau mewn cysylltiad â’i gilydd yn aml, ond roedd yn help cael eistedd gyda’n gilydd yn ei swyddfa yn Canary Wharf a thrafod ystod o faterion y mae pobl o bob rhan o Gymru yn siarad â mi yn eu cylch pan fyddaf yn eu gweld - o’r bwriad i weithio gyda phlant a phobl ifanc i ddiwylliant, addysg ac - wrth gwrs - chwaraeon.
Mae ei swyddfa’n ddigon uchel i allu gweld y Parc Olympaidd yn y pellter, a gwnaeth Seb dynnu fy sylw at hyn. Mae’r parc ei hun yn brosiect anferth sy’n ganolog i’r Gemau, ond mae cymaint o bethau eraill i’w hystyried - manteision posibl presenoldeb Tîm Paralympaidd Awstralia yng Nghymru i ymarfer, y ffaith y bydd busnesau o Gymru yn cael contractau, a sicrhau ‘Safleoedd Byw’ lleol.
Wrth i’r cynnwrf gynyddu a ninnau’n nesáu at y Gemau yn Beijing ym mis Awst a mis Medi, bydd llygaid y byd yn troi nid yn unig at Lundain, ond at y wlad gyfan hefyd - ac rwyf am i Gymru fod yn amlwg i bawb fel cenedl fach sy’n llawn diwylliant ac sy’n llwyddiannus iawn ym maes chwaraeon. Roedd Seb yn arbennig o falch o glywed am ‘Anelu am Aur’, ein prosiect yng Nghasnewydd lle mae miloedd o bobl wedi cofrestru i gymryd rhan mewn chwaraeon a gwella eu hiechyd. Rwy’n credu bod hwn yn rhywbeth y gellid ei ddatblygu ymhellach, a gallai gweddill y wlad ddysgu o hyn. Tebyg iawn i’n buddugoliaeth ym mhencampwriaeth y Chwe Gwlad, efallai?
Read more of “Cymru’n dod i Lundain - Wales comes to London”
I recently went on a visit to the Olympic Park; I was amazed at the progress that has been made already.
It was pleasing to see that among the important issues identified were the sustainability of energy, with a view to minimising carbon emissions, and that 90% of materials generated from demolition within the Park would be reused or recycled.
It was pleasing to see that among the important issues identified were the sustainability of energy, with a view to minimising carbon emissions, and that 90% of materials generated from demolition within the Park would be reused or recycled.
To all you great and wonderful people out there who read my first blog on this site, here’s the update on that Fencing competition I went to in Edinburgh.
The journey by train was quiet but the rain at the other end was almost freezing. I’m convinced it must have frozen most of my brain cells, hence my inability to do anything tangible on the Saturday. To be honest, I fenced worse than a beginner and only managed to win two out of 12 fights.
Me fencing:
The journey by train was quiet but the rain at the other end was almost freezing. I’m convinced it must have frozen most of my brain cells, hence my inability to do anything tangible on the Saturday. To be honest, I fenced worse than a beginner and only managed to win two out of 12 fights.
Me fencing:
Advising ODA on venue designs for Games
Lucy, Senior design review advisor - London 2012 design review panel, 20 March 2008
The London 2012 design review sessions are an opportunity for The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) and Design for London to advise the ODA and their design teams on the quality, sustainability and legacy of the designs for the Games. This month we had the chance to discuss the latest key venues with a series of design review sessions at the 2012 offices.
The Games will put London’s architecture and landscape design in the world’s spotlight in 2012 so it’s important we create buildings and public spaces of great and lasting quality. The design review sessions were a great chance to see how the designs are developing for key 2012 venues and an opportunity for our expert panel members to give constructive feedback on the latest plans.
CABE and Design for London play an important role in scrutinising the venues and infrastructure as they take shape and have so far proved very effective in supporting the ODA to achieve their aspirations for design quality. We look forward to continuing to work with the ODA on the road to 2012.
The Games will put London’s architecture and landscape design in the world’s spotlight in 2012 so it’s important we create buildings and public spaces of great and lasting quality. The design review sessions were a great chance to see how the designs are developing for key 2012 venues and an opportunity for our expert panel members to give constructive feedback on the latest plans.
CABE and Design for London play an important role in scrutinising the venues and infrastructure as they take shape and have so far proved very effective in supporting the ODA to achieve their aspirations for design quality. We look forward to continuing to work with the ODA on the road to 2012.
Blue Peter starts talent search for Handover Ceremonies
Leon, Handover Ceremonies team, 20 March 2008
Forget Maria, Joseph or Oliver – the biggest talent hunt ever is underway courtesy of Blue Peter…
On Tuesday 18th March my career went retro as I was back on the studio floor at BBC TV Centre. But this time I wasn’t donning a Dalek costume or Feung-shui-ing the pets, I was there to monitor the launch of Blue Peter’s biggest ever competition in my capacity as Content Producer for The Handover Ceremonies.
Well into my fourth week with London 2012, amongst the variety of my roles, I have been working with Head of Ceremonies Martin Green and Press Officer Adrian Bassett to launch a nationwide hunt to find two Blue Peter viewers who will each win a key role within the Handover Ceremony for the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.
It’s an amazing prize and the whole Blue Peter (or BP as they now call themselves) team was very excited indeed – especially as this marks their first competition in a while, and what a way to make a comeback!
On Tuesday 18th March my career went retro as I was back on the studio floor at BBC TV Centre. But this time I wasn’t donning a Dalek costume or Feung-shui-ing the pets, I was there to monitor the launch of Blue Peter’s biggest ever competition in my capacity as Content Producer for The Handover Ceremonies.
Well into my fourth week with London 2012, amongst the variety of my roles, I have been working with Head of Ceremonies Martin Green and Press Officer Adrian Bassett to launch a nationwide hunt to find two Blue Peter viewers who will each win a key role within the Handover Ceremony for the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.
It’s an amazing prize and the whole Blue Peter (or BP as they now call themselves) team was very excited indeed – especially as this marks their first competition in a while, and what a way to make a comeback!
Read more of “Blue Peter starts talent search for Handover Ceremonies”
Wind turbine: bringing the infrastructure to life
Kevin, ODA Project Sponsor for Utilities, 19 March 2008
Much of the focus on our plans for the Olympic Park so far have focussed on the main venues we're building for 2012 and beyond, and the new parklands and open areas we're creating to house these new world-class facilities.
But today was my chance to present the latest plans for an important piece of infrastructure that I think will become an iconic part of the Olympic Park in its own right – the Olympic Park wind turbine.
But today was my chance to present the latest plans for an important piece of infrastructure that I think will become an iconic part of the Olympic Park in its own right – the Olympic Park wind turbine.
Read more of “Wind turbine: bringing infrastructure to life”
Businesses - grab these opportunities
The 2012 Editor, 19 March 2008
The following article appears in today's edition of The Sun newspaper:
Our athletes are already in training our businesses should be too
Says Lord Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee
In a little under five months, I will be in Beijing, watching our athletes going for gold in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. As someone who has competed in two Olympic Games, I know only too well the hard work that goes before that - and, believe me, it starts some years before the Games themselves.
So as we approach Beijing, the training and preparations that shape the daily routines of an athlete are brought into sharper focus. The goals of a lifetime that you work years to achieve are suddenly months and weeks away from fulfilment.
And the need to tailor your preparations to peak at just the right time is absolutely vital. When the Beijing Games come to a close, all eyes will then turn to London.
The Organising Committee - which I chair - is already working in minute detail towards staging a fantastic Games and I'm sure the incentive of competing at London 2012 will also give an added boost to the preparations of British athletes. The same should go for British business.
Our athletes are already in training our businesses should be too
Says Lord Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee
In a little under five months, I will be in Beijing, watching our athletes going for gold in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. As someone who has competed in two Olympic Games, I know only too well the hard work that goes before that - and, believe me, it starts some years before the Games themselves.
So as we approach Beijing, the training and preparations that shape the daily routines of an athlete are brought into sharper focus. The goals of a lifetime that you work years to achieve are suddenly months and weeks away from fulfilment.
And the need to tailor your preparations to peak at just the right time is absolutely vital. When the Beijing Games come to a close, all eyes will then turn to London.
The Organising Committee - which I chair - is already working in minute detail towards staging a fantastic Games and I'm sure the incentive of competing at London 2012 will also give an added boost to the preparations of British athletes. The same should go for British business.
I went to Nottingham to meet with local council officials from all over the East Midlands at the East Midlands Development Agency to give them a presentation about what the London 2012 Transport Plan means for people in their region, how spectators from the East Midlands will get to the Games, and how the investment being made in London will have a knock-on effect for their local public transport.
Transport Team 2012 are making great progress in setting up the transport infrastructure to ensure that the 7.7m spectators for the Games will be able to get there safely and reliably on public transport.
57% of journeys will be made from within London to the Olympic Park in the 16 days of the Games, and that means that we have to put the majority of the investment into increasing the capacity of stations such as Stratford and West Ham and increasing the frequency of services. We are also working closely with key stakeholders such as Transport for London and the Department for Transport to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the biggest transport effort this country has seen outside of all-out war.
Transport Team 2012 are making great progress in setting up the transport infrastructure to ensure that the 7.7m spectators for the Games will be able to get there safely and reliably on public transport.
57% of journeys will be made from within London to the Olympic Park in the 16 days of the Games, and that means that we have to put the majority of the investment into increasing the capacity of stations such as Stratford and West Ham and increasing the frequency of services. We are also working closely with key stakeholders such as Transport for London and the Department for Transport to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the biggest transport effort this country has seen outside of all-out war.
Read more of “Biggest transport effort this country has seen”
It was a real honour to be a part of the Get Set London roadshow in Kensington and Chelsea. I had a fantastic day and spent lots of time interacting with adults and children which included trying out the various fitness testing equipment, where the reaction test (batak) proved very popular (I could have played on it all day!).
Through the vast amount of information available on the day, it provided people of the borough a chance to see just what it means for London to be hosting the Games in 2012. People could find out how to get involved in sport and culture and the volunteering and business opportunities leading up to 2012.
Through the vast amount of information available on the day, it provided people of the borough a chance to see just what it means for London to be hosting the Games in 2012. People could find out how to get involved in sport and culture and the volunteering and business opportunities leading up to 2012.
Read more of “Get Set London Roadshow visits Kensington and Chelsea”
Here's the problem...Whenever you start to talk about technology you run the risk of putting people to sleep. Don't stop reading now!!!
LOCOG’s Technology Team was faced with this significant challenge: How to explain what we do in a way that excites and engages and, most importantly, makes sense? Technology language is full of acronyms, abbreviations and jargon. Sometimes it's as if we speak a different language altogether.
So to clarify and affirm how technology fits into the London 2012 vision, 'To use the power of the Games to inspire change', we locked ourselves away for two days with the help and facilitation of our partner in professional services, Deloitte, to discuss, debate and decide our technology strategy. And who better to attempt explain it in plain English than the only non-technology minded person in the team? Never has standing in the corner, raising my hand and saying 'I don’t get it' proved to be so valuable!
And here it is...Our Technology Goal is:
LOCOG’s Technology Team was faced with this significant challenge: How to explain what we do in a way that excites and engages and, most importantly, makes sense? Technology language is full of acronyms, abbreviations and jargon. Sometimes it's as if we speak a different language altogether.
So to clarify and affirm how technology fits into the London 2012 vision, 'To use the power of the Games to inspire change', we locked ourselves away for two days with the help and facilitation of our partner in professional services, Deloitte, to discuss, debate and decide our technology strategy. And who better to attempt explain it in plain English than the only non-technology minded person in the team? Never has standing in the corner, raising my hand and saying 'I don’t get it' proved to be so valuable!
And here it is...Our Technology Goal is:
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Helping to inspire Hackney
Dervis, Paralympic Swimmer, 17 March 2008
I had the great pleasure in attending the Get Set London roadshow in Hackney last Thursday. The roadshow was part of a wider event organised by Hackney Council to celebrate the borough’s role as a host for the London 2012 Games.
The roadshow took place in the Ocean music centre along with Opportunities Now, Hackney’s annual job and employment fair, and various sporting and cultural activities taking place in the Town Hall Square.
As well as training for the forthcoming 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, I spend a lot of time promoting the benefits of sport. I am visually impaired, but have never let my disability stand in the way of my goals, dreams and ambition.
The roadshow took place in the Ocean music centre along with Opportunities Now, Hackney’s annual job and employment fair, and various sporting and cultural activities taking place in the Town Hall Square.
As well as training for the forthcoming 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, I spend a lot of time promoting the benefits of sport. I am visually impaired, but have never let my disability stand in the way of my goals, dreams and ambition.
Six of us from the Little Harrowden Primary School design team went to London. We were thrilled to hear we were short listed and would go to London. A fabulous time was had by all.
With Godric Smith (ODA Director of Communications) and Tessa Jowell (Minister for the Olympics):
'We were split into groups to work on our Velodream design. We each worked on different ideas such as how to get there, the BMX track, the road track, the stadium and mountain bike trails. It was challenging to think of suitable and sensible ideas that would work. We worked very hard and persevered to make a design which was short listed. We even added a powerpoint for the presentation. We would do it all again tomorrow if we had the chance to go back to London.' Jacob, Josh and Matthew.
With Godric Smith (ODA Director of Communications) and Tessa Jowell (Minister for the Olympics):
'We were split into groups to work on our Velodream design. We each worked on different ideas such as how to get there, the BMX track, the road track, the stadium and mountain bike trails. It was challenging to think of suitable and sensible ideas that would work. We worked very hard and persevered to make a design which was short listed. We even added a powerpoint for the presentation. We would do it all again tomorrow if we had the chance to go back to London.' Jacob, Josh and Matthew.
Recently, a team of us from London 2012 took the train down to (very sunny) Weymouth for a two-day workshop with representatives from the local authorities to help plan the transport operations and spectator viewing arrangements for the Sailing events for the 2012 Games.
We spent one day in meetings with Dorset County Council and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council discussing the options for how best to accommodate the numbers of spectators that are anticipated to attend the events and what transport arrangements will be necessary to get everyone there and back safely.
We spent one day in meetings with Dorset County Council and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council discussing the options for how best to accommodate the numbers of spectators that are anticipated to attend the events and what transport arrangements will be necessary to get everyone there and back safely.
Read more of “Getting Weymouth and Portland ready for sailing events”
International Inspiration for young people from Brazil and Palau
Catharina, Education team, 15 March 2008
In a true reflection of the interlocked rings young people, sports organisations and school practitioners from three continents met in the last week in two separate events, one in Recife, North Brazil and the other in Islay in Scotland. Both events were organised as part of the 'International Inspiration' programme, designed to inspire millions of children around the work to participate in sport, which will be part of the London 2012 International Education programme.
The first event involved teachers from 12 schools in Nottingham travelling to Recife Northern Brazil to meet and develop partnerships to support and develop their PE curriculum. Recife is the fourth largest city in Brazil with a high serious crime rate and agricultural economy but the community there have a real desire to make a difference to their lives through sport. The event was arranged and hosted by the British Council, who work with schools around the world to offer international expertise in the fields of sport, development and education for young people.
The UK and Brazilian representatives took part in a seminar entitled 'Inspiring education through PE and school sport', which was attended by senior officials from the Federal and Regional Governments. Seminar delegates, including representatives from the Youth Sport Trust and UK Sport, took part in a lively discussion on a range of issues, particularly the development of a shared vision of how PE and sport can be used to engage, enrich and empower young people's lives and raise whole school standards.
The first event involved teachers from 12 schools in Nottingham travelling to Recife Northern Brazil to meet and develop partnerships to support and develop their PE curriculum. Recife is the fourth largest city in Brazil with a high serious crime rate and agricultural economy but the community there have a real desire to make a difference to their lives through sport. The event was arranged and hosted by the British Council, who work with schools around the world to offer international expertise in the fields of sport, development and education for young people.
The UK and Brazilian representatives took part in a seminar entitled 'Inspiring education through PE and school sport', which was attended by senior officials from the Federal and Regional Governments. Seminar delegates, including representatives from the Youth Sport Trust and UK Sport, took part in a lively discussion on a range of issues, particularly the development of a shared vision of how PE and sport can be used to engage, enrich and empower young people's lives and raise whole school standards.
Read more of “International Inspiration for young people from Brazil and Palau”
This morning I was at the opening of Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5. It’s occupied exclusively by British Airways, our new Tier One partner. It was a great chance to see how it will operate for us at Games time, where many of our international athletes, spectators and officials will arrive.
I was struck by the scale and spaces and just how spectacular a welcome we will be able to provide when our guests from all over the world arrive in 2012.
It officially opens to passengers on 27 March and will handle up to 30 million passengers annually.
It’s a fantastic space and a great accomplishment – a £4.3 billion investment that was completed on time and on budget. It renewed my confidence that it can be done – except we will have to complete a project twice the size in half the time!
I was struck by the scale and spaces and just how spectacular a welcome we will be able to provide when our guests from all over the world arrive in 2012.
It officially opens to passengers on 27 March and will handle up to 30 million passengers annually.
It’s a fantastic space and a great accomplishment – a £4.3 billion investment that was completed on time and on budget. It renewed my confidence that it can be done – except we will have to complete a project twice the size in half the time!
Make the link – International Women’s Day, London 2012 and Angela Davis. If anyone had asked me to do this before I joined the ODA in December last year, I would have struggled, but the beauty of working here is that it is possible. Let me explain.
Saturday 8 March 2008 was International Women’s Day and the Greater London Authority (GLA) held their 6th annual Capital Women’s conference which offers Londoners an opportunity to explore issues that affect women - transport, health, housing, working in non traditional careers like plumbing, and the environment. Of course, these issues affect men too, but gender inequality still exists in terms of pay and job opportunities so the conference was a chance to address some of the imbalances. The day was as much a celebration as it was information-sharing and awareness-raising, with women of all ages and backgrounds filling to capacity the QE2 conference centre in Westminster.
My own attendance at the conference was serendipitous as I’d been asked to chair our workshop - London 2012 Olympic Opportunities - with Wendy Cartwright, our Head of HR talking about the range of opportunities for women and developments within London 2012; Sam Stevens from our Enabling Works Team describing her role as one of the few women in structural engineering; and Sue Tibballs the Chief Executive of the Women, Sports, and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) outlining the potential for the Games to encourage girls and women to be more active, in an environment where there is a lack of participation and under reporting of women in sport and fitness. But I’ll get back to the workshop in a moment.
The conference was oversubscribed with some 5,000 women registering. The real draw for the majority there was the chance to have an audience with Angela Davis, academic, global activist, and African–American icon of the black power movement. For those of us weaned on justice, human rights and equality for all, Angela Davis epitomises the required five fruit and veg a day, she is quite simply essential sustenance for a healthy intellectual diet. The audience was 2,000-strong, akin to a concert with the sheer hungry adoration and awe palpable throughout the auditorium, irrespective of whether or not you were familiar with Angela Davis.
The audience asked about legacy for future generations of women; about keeping connected to values and goals; about integrity and commitment. They also asked how to counter the prevalent individualism of the 21st century and how to maintain an interconnected global community, and this is the link with the Games, our values and me – individuals make communities. Repeatedly and with inspiring humility and humanity Angela Davis described her many achievements and accolades, (and I’m paraphrasing here) as representing the accumulated efforts of many people; that without the input, strength and support of others there would be no Angela Davis.
Our achievements of delivering on time and to budget an Olympic and Paralympic Games that will be the greenest, safest, most accessible and inclusive ever, that will inspire and be a catalyst for change, regenerating and reinvigorating the East End of London, will be the product of our team work, the cumulative efforts of individuals working for the benefit of the community of the five host boroughs, for Londoners, for the UK. Without our collective efforts our success will be limited.
The London 2012 workshop was enjoyable. Over a 100 women participated, the conversations were free flowing, informed and inquisitive. Wendy, Sam and Sue were stimulating and as a team we managed the questions with excellent support from Judith Comrie in Communications, who gathered a number of contacts from women interested in finding out more about London 2012. And as if all that wasn’t enough, I along with Jean Tomlin, the Director of HR in LOCOG were fortunate enough to be amongst a select few invited to join Angela Davis for dinner. Does working on the Games get any better? Well, there will be a number of highlights as we work towards our end date and legacy, but I know that International Women’s Day 2008, the Capital Women’s conference, our workshop and an audience and dinner with Angela Davis will for me be right there amongst the best.
Saturday 8 March 2008 was International Women’s Day and the Greater London Authority (GLA) held their 6th annual Capital Women’s conference which offers Londoners an opportunity to explore issues that affect women - transport, health, housing, working in non traditional careers like plumbing, and the environment. Of course, these issues affect men too, but gender inequality still exists in terms of pay and job opportunities so the conference was a chance to address some of the imbalances. The day was as much a celebration as it was information-sharing and awareness-raising, with women of all ages and backgrounds filling to capacity the QE2 conference centre in Westminster.
My own attendance at the conference was serendipitous as I’d been asked to chair our workshop - London 2012 Olympic Opportunities - with Wendy Cartwright, our Head of HR talking about the range of opportunities for women and developments within London 2012; Sam Stevens from our Enabling Works Team describing her role as one of the few women in structural engineering; and Sue Tibballs the Chief Executive of the Women, Sports, and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) outlining the potential for the Games to encourage girls and women to be more active, in an environment where there is a lack of participation and under reporting of women in sport and fitness. But I’ll get back to the workshop in a moment.
The conference was oversubscribed with some 5,000 women registering. The real draw for the majority there was the chance to have an audience with Angela Davis, academic, global activist, and African–American icon of the black power movement. For those of us weaned on justice, human rights and equality for all, Angela Davis epitomises the required five fruit and veg a day, she is quite simply essential sustenance for a healthy intellectual diet. The audience was 2,000-strong, akin to a concert with the sheer hungry adoration and awe palpable throughout the auditorium, irrespective of whether or not you were familiar with Angela Davis.
The audience asked about legacy for future generations of women; about keeping connected to values and goals; about integrity and commitment. They also asked how to counter the prevalent individualism of the 21st century and how to maintain an interconnected global community, and this is the link with the Games, our values and me – individuals make communities. Repeatedly and with inspiring humility and humanity Angela Davis described her many achievements and accolades, (and I’m paraphrasing here) as representing the accumulated efforts of many people; that without the input, strength and support of others there would be no Angela Davis.
Our achievements of delivering on time and to budget an Olympic and Paralympic Games that will be the greenest, safest, most accessible and inclusive ever, that will inspire and be a catalyst for change, regenerating and reinvigorating the East End of London, will be the product of our team work, the cumulative efforts of individuals working for the benefit of the community of the five host boroughs, for Londoners, for the UK. Without our collective efforts our success will be limited.
The London 2012 workshop was enjoyable. Over a 100 women participated, the conversations were free flowing, informed and inquisitive. Wendy, Sam and Sue were stimulating and as a team we managed the questions with excellent support from Judith Comrie in Communications, who gathered a number of contacts from women interested in finding out more about London 2012. And as if all that wasn’t enough, I along with Jean Tomlin, the Director of HR in LOCOG were fortunate enough to be amongst a select few invited to join Angela Davis for dinner. Does working on the Games get any better? Well, there will be a number of highlights as we work towards our end date and legacy, but I know that International Women’s Day 2008, the Capital Women’s conference, our workshop and an audience and dinner with Angela Davis will for me be right there amongst the best.
Robert the steam engine moves to new temporary home
Mike, Communications Manager, Stratford, 13 March 2008
Local Stratford celebrity steam engine "Robert" who until last Sunday stood on a short length of track at the entrance to the Regional Station has gone!
In a delicate operation the 75 year old former industrial workhorse which belongs to the London Borough of Newham, and has stood there since being moved from the site of Beckton Gasworks in 1999, was lifted by crane on to a low loader to make the journey to his temporary new home at the East Anglian Railway Museum at Chappel & Wakes Colne station in deepest Essex.
In a delicate operation the 75 year old former industrial workhorse which belongs to the London Borough of Newham, and has stood there since being moved from the site of Beckton Gasworks in 1999, was lifted by crane on to a low loader to make the journey to his temporary new home at the East Anglian Railway Museum at Chappel & Wakes Colne station in deepest Essex.
Read more of “Robert the steam engine moves to new temporary home”
On 3rd March I had the honour of accompanying John Regis to the opening of Greenwich Council's new Eltham Centre.
John competed in the 200 metres and was the first and only British athlete to ever run 200 metres in under 20 seconds; he still holds the UK record in this event. He also won two Olympic medals as part of British relay teams.
The Eltham Centre, the first of three integrated centres being built by the Council in Greenwich, gives access to leisure, learning facilities and council services all in one place.
It is amazing what they have managed to fit into the space that they had available. Greenwich Council is one of our key partners for the Games as one of the host boroughs. I was there to support this project as the opening of these leisure facilities will give local people access to top quality sporting facilities and along with the power of the Games coming to their borough hopefully inspire people to change and begin leading healither lifestyles.
John competed in the 200 metres and was the first and only British athlete to ever run 200 metres in under 20 seconds; he still holds the UK record in this event. He also won two Olympic medals as part of British relay teams.
The Eltham Centre, the first of three integrated centres being built by the Council in Greenwich, gives access to leisure, learning facilities and council services all in one place.
It is amazing what they have managed to fit into the space that they had available. Greenwich Council is one of our key partners for the Games as one of the host boroughs. I was there to support this project as the opening of these leisure facilities will give local people access to top quality sporting facilities and along with the power of the Games coming to their borough hopefully inspire people to change and begin leading healither lifestyles.
Encouraging businesses in every community to get involved
Adeeba, Chair of the Ethnic Minority Business Task Force, 12 March 2008
Yesterday I was in Bristol to speak to an audience of ethnic minority and women owned businesses at the Explore-At-Bristol centre.
The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games represent a great opportunity for UK businesses and I want to make sure that businesses from every community are ready to join the race to win a London 2012 contract.
Speaking at the event:
I was very pleased to be joined by Marlene Cassell from the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) Equality & Inclusion Unit who inspired the audience to get themselves fit to supply the London 2012 Games.
The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games represent a great opportunity for UK businesses and I want to make sure that businesses from every community are ready to join the race to win a London 2012 contract.
Speaking at the event:
I was very pleased to be joined by Marlene Cassell from the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) Equality & Inclusion Unit who inspired the audience to get themselves fit to supply the London 2012 Games.
Read more of “Encouraging businesses in every community to get involved”
My name is Gordon Iain Park and I work as a Site Manager on the Olympic Stadium.
At present we are constructing Team Stadium's offices and accommodation blocks:
These offices will be used by over 1,000 workers ranging from engineers and architects to foremen and digger drivers. The first 50 are expected to be move to the offices in April.
We arrived on site at the beginning of December 2007 to commence works and I have been impressed by the change and the progress of the enabling work taking place on the Stadium and the Park itself. The Stadium site changes everyday.
At present we are constructing Team Stadium's offices and accommodation blocks:
These offices will be used by over 1,000 workers ranging from engineers and architects to foremen and digger drivers. The first 50 are expected to be move to the offices in April.
We arrived on site at the beginning of December 2007 to commence works and I have been impressed by the change and the progress of the enabling work taking place on the Stadium and the Park itself. The Stadium site changes everyday.
So, at last the 2012 culture programme is ‘open for business’ – and with just over six months to go before the public launch of the Cultural Olympiad it’s not a day too soon.
The open nature of the programme and the new ‘Inspire mark’ are breaking new ground for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, as are the network of Creative Programmers all around the UK. It’s another important step towards making this everyone’s Games.
But this is all process, structure and construct. The philosophy of culture and creativity taking its place at the heart of London 2012 was there for all to see in the bid. The intellectual architecture was won in the values and vision for the Cultural Olympiad that emerged last summer. Now we have systems, criteria and brand mark to offer the hope of practical reality.
The truth is that all of this will come to naught without great content. Thankfully, as if to remind me of what we’ve been fighting for these last months, my diary over recent days has been brim full of it!
The open nature of the programme and the new ‘Inspire mark’ are breaking new ground for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, as are the network of Creative Programmers all around the UK. It’s another important step towards making this everyone’s Games.
But this is all process, structure and construct. The philosophy of culture and creativity taking its place at the heart of London 2012 was there for all to see in the bid. The intellectual architecture was won in the values and vision for the Cultural Olympiad that emerged last summer. Now we have systems, criteria and brand mark to offer the hope of practical reality.
The truth is that all of this will come to naught without great content. Thankfully, as if to remind me of what we’ve been fighting for these last months, my diary over recent days has been brim full of it!
The opportunity to show the work of some of our children in conjunction with the Get Set London Roadshow was amazing.
On Saturday - 8 March - pupils from Towers Infants and Junior Schools, and Gaynes Secondary School headed down to The Liberty in Romford to dazzle the public with their dancing prowess as part of the ‘Get Set London’ roadshow.
On the day the children were noticeably drawn to the physical activities at the roadshow such as the ‘batak’ and rowing challenges, as well as having their photos taken with the specially themed backdrop! They performed four dances in total to an audience of all ages, whilst at the same time our young sporting ambassadors gave out postcards to publicise our dance events this year and draw attention to the benefits
of London 2012 itself.
On Saturday - 8 March - pupils from Towers Infants and Junior Schools, and Gaynes Secondary School headed down to The Liberty in Romford to dazzle the public with their dancing prowess as part of the ‘Get Set London’ roadshow.
On the day the children were noticeably drawn to the physical activities at the roadshow such as the ‘batak’ and rowing challenges, as well as having their photos taken with the specially themed backdrop! They performed four dances in total to an audience of all ages, whilst at the same time our young sporting ambassadors gave out postcards to publicise our dance events this year and draw attention to the benefits
of London 2012 itself.
At Christmas we announced preferred bidder status for the design, build, finance and operate of the Energy Centre and network to a company called Elyo Suez.
The Energy Centre is key to the Olympic Park and for legacy since it will provide all of the hot water, heating, electricity and some of the cooling needs to homes and buildings in the Park. This is instead of having individual systems in each building which are less efficient.
How the Energy Centre will look:
Located at Kings Yard, the centre is key to our Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS). It will provide carbon reduction by using CCHP (Combined Cooling Heat and Power), plus biomass boilers which use waste woodchips to create heat. A historic building in Kings Yard will form part of the Energy Centre and will house the biomass boilers. Part of the building will be converted into a visitors centre after the Games.
The Energy Centre is key to the Olympic Park and for legacy since it will provide all of the hot water, heating, electricity and some of the cooling needs to homes and buildings in the Park. This is instead of having individual systems in each building which are less efficient.
How the Energy Centre will look:
Located at Kings Yard, the centre is key to our Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS). It will provide carbon reduction by using CCHP (Combined Cooling Heat and Power), plus biomass boilers which use waste woodchips to create heat. A historic building in Kings Yard will form part of the Energy Centre and will house the biomass boilers. Part of the building will be converted into a visitors centre after the Games.
As an ambassador for Sporting Champions, an initiative from Sport England which helps to inspire young people to take part in sport, I really wanted to get along to the Get Set London Roadshow again (I also attended the launch event in Trafalgar Square), because I completely believe in what it’s trying to achieve. The sun was shining on Wednesday morning, so I took myself along to the City of London to go and have a look at the roadshow and see how everything was going.
The stand was in the middle of Leadenhall Market, which is an absolutely stunning setting in itself, and was attracting quite a bit of attention from passers-by. Once a few people got started playing on the batak, the floodgates opened and there was a queue of people waiting for a turn, as well as entertaining themselves with the photography green screen. Given the location, there were a lot of city-types chatting to the LDA about business opportunities, but even they got their hands dirty trying to beat each other’s scores.
By lunchtime, Leadenhall Market was a complete hub of activity, with people coming from all sides for their lunch, to have their shoes shined and suchlike. It meant that there was a really great atmosphere at the roadshow and people seemed keen to find out more and get involved themselves. Plus, it was quite chilly, so the rowing machines and other sporting equipment helped to get the blood pumping!
The stand was in the middle of Leadenhall Market, which is an absolutely stunning setting in itself, and was attracting quite a bit of attention from passers-by. Once a few people got started playing on the batak, the floodgates opened and there was a queue of people waiting for a turn, as well as entertaining themselves with the photography green screen. Given the location, there were a lot of city-types chatting to the LDA about business opportunities, but even they got their hands dirty trying to beat each other’s scores.
By lunchtime, Leadenhall Market was a complete hub of activity, with people coming from all sides for their lunch, to have their shoes shined and suchlike. It meant that there was a really great atmosphere at the roadshow and people seemed keen to find out more and get involved themselves. Plus, it was quite chilly, so the rowing machines and other sporting equipment helped to get the blood pumping!
We have reached a very exciting stage in the development of our plans for the Cultural Olympiad - a four-year festival of culture and creativity that officially begins in September after Beijing has handed over to London and runs through to the end of the Paralympic Games in 2012.
Pierre de Courbertin’s vision for the modern Games made an inextricable link between sport, culture and education, and this is the foundation on which the Cultural Olympiad will be built. Culture will be at the heart of the London 2012 Games.
We are planning large-scale 'signature' projects which were included as part of the London 2012 bid and high profile ceremonies which mark the opening and closing of the Games in 2012.
But we will also work with communities and in partnership with a wide range of organisations all over the country, to develop many local and regional projects and events, which reflect our core values:
- Welcoming the world
- Inspiring young people
- Delivering a legacy
Pierre de Courbertin’s vision for the modern Games made an inextricable link between sport, culture and education, and this is the foundation on which the Cultural Olympiad will be built. Culture will be at the heart of the London 2012 Games.
We are planning large-scale 'signature' projects which were included as part of the London 2012 bid and high profile ceremonies which mark the opening and closing of the Games in 2012.
But we will also work with communities and in partnership with a wide range of organisations all over the country, to develop many local and regional projects and events, which reflect our core values:
- Welcoming the world
- Inspiring young people
- Delivering a legacy
Mums and tots enjoy potential Pre-Games Training Camp in Ipswich
John, Nations and Regions team, 7 March 2008
The Ipswich Gymnastics Centre in the East of England serves community as well as sporting interests.
It is an elite facility which has hosted a number of high level international gymnastics events, including with countries from as far afield as Brazil.
But on the day of the East of England launch of the Pre Games Training Camps Guide on Monday, there was also a large Mother and Toddler group making excellent use of the facilities. The bouncy floors have a very real dual purpose when it comes to a group of toddlers.
Chair of the Nations and Regions Group, Charles Allen, the multiple Gold Medallist swimmer, Karen Pickering, and Essex County Councillor Stephen Castle, were the party of luminaries in Ipswich to launch the Pre-Games Training Camps Guide.
Karen, Charles, Stephen and venue manager Andy Wood resting on the beam with the young gymnasts:
It is an elite facility which has hosted a number of high level international gymnastics events, including with countries from as far afield as Brazil.
But on the day of the East of England launch of the Pre Games Training Camps Guide on Monday, there was also a large Mother and Toddler group making excellent use of the facilities. The bouncy floors have a very real dual purpose when it comes to a group of toddlers.
Chair of the Nations and Regions Group, Charles Allen, the multiple Gold Medallist swimmer, Karen Pickering, and Essex County Councillor Stephen Castle, were the party of luminaries in Ipswich to launch the Pre-Games Training Camps Guide.
Karen, Charles, Stephen and venue manager Andy Wood resting on the beam with the young gymnasts:
Read more of “Mums and tots enjoy potential Pre-Games Training Camp in Ipswich”
A new-starter working at London 2012 on our political relations, I couldn’t have predicted that within a few weeks I’d be made a press officer for the day, and posted to Birmingham to look after an Olympic Champion.
Yet here I was – helping out at an announcement about potential Pre-Games Training venues around the West Midlands for 2012. I arrived at Birmingham’s fabulous Alexander Stadium just in time for the press conference where Councillors, LOCOG’s Director of Sport Debbie Jevans and athlete Jason Gardener were all ready to speak about what could be achieved by hosting overseas teams. They highlighted the great facilities available in Birmingham, Coventry, Warwickshire, Lilleshall and the universities.
Yet here I was – helping out at an announcement about potential Pre-Games Training venues around the West Midlands for 2012. I arrived at Birmingham’s fabulous Alexander Stadium just in time for the press conference where Councillors, LOCOG’s Director of Sport Debbie Jevans and athlete Jason Gardener were all ready to speak about what could be achieved by hosting overseas teams. They highlighted the great facilities available in Birmingham, Coventry, Warwickshire, Lilleshall and the universities.
I'm the Equality and Inclusion Advisor for the south side of the Olympic Park - it’s a really niche role and there’s always somebody asking me questions about something – the proportion of people who are coming to work by public transport, etc. Generally, I know the answers (or I will by the end of the day) because I’m also responsible for inducting everybody who works on this side of the Park.
Working on the project is really interesting – unless you have serious issues about getting out of bed in the morning. My day starts around 5am when I tumble out of bed. I’m on site by 6.45am and chatting merrily away through the Induction material by 7.30am.
Working on the project is really interesting – unless you have serious issues about getting out of bed in the morning. My day starts around 5am when I tumble out of bed. I’m on site by 6.45am and chatting merrily away through the Induction material by 7.30am.
Olympic Park bustles as progress continues
Alexandra, ODA Marketing Executive, New Media, 6 March 2008
Since joining the London 2012 team in December a large part of my role has been communicating new developments and progress on the Olympic Park to the general public through the London 2012 website.
As a result, I’ve worked with hundreds of images taken by specialist photographers on the Park and have uploaded video footage, maps and aerial shots of the Park online. So when I visited the Park for myself for the first time on Tuesday, I expected to have a pretty good idea of what the site would be like. Seeing it first hand was very different to seeing it in photos though and you can really see the enormity of the project for yourself.
As a result, I’ve worked with hundreds of images taken by specialist photographers on the Park and have uploaded video footage, maps and aerial shots of the Park online. So when I visited the Park for myself for the first time on Tuesday, I expected to have a pretty good idea of what the site would be like. Seeing it first hand was very different to seeing it in photos though and you can really see the enormity of the project for yourself.
Positive news for Wales
Angela, Nations and Regions team, 5 March 2008
The facilities picked to be part of the Pre-Games Training Camps spread right across the UK so we were out and about helping out at for the announcements. I went to Newport and more interestingly for me as a cyclist, the Velodrome. I often go to Cardiff so remembered to get off the train in time. As we crossed the river I saw the castle for the first time and the helpful and well informed taxi driver told me it was built in Norman times and had been used until recently. They knew how to build! He also told me Newport was riding high for new jobs and investment.
So to the Velodrome - one of the facilities chosen to be in the Guide. It's quite a new building and when I got there I was chatting to a young competition hopeful who was gearing up (no pun intended) for the demo. The partners were lined up on the top table and all talked about the positive news for Wales of having so many potential preparation camps named, and all the educational, cultural and economic spin-offs. And the cyclists went round and up and down the track as they spoke. Then the Paralypmic hopefuls took to their bikes for a fitting finale.
As for the rest of the UK, the announcement is great news for Wales.
So to the Velodrome - one of the facilities chosen to be in the Guide. It's quite a new building and when I got there I was chatting to a young competition hopeful who was gearing up (no pun intended) for the demo. The partners were lined up on the top table and all talked about the positive news for Wales of having so many potential preparation camps named, and all the educational, cultural and economic spin-offs. And the cyclists went round and up and down the track as they spoke. Then the Paralypmic hopefuls took to their bikes for a fitting finale.
As for the rest of the UK, the announcement is great news for Wales.
Parliamentary support and a Paralympic gold medal
Sarah, LOCOG Government Relations team, 5 March 2008
Monday was a busy day for everyone at LOCOG with the unveiling of the sporting facilities across the country that will feature in the Pre-Games Training Camps Guide. For me, it was my first day of a month long secondment with the LOCOG Government Relations team. My first day was spent trying to remember everyone’s names, and attempting to navigate my way back to my desk after various inductions. Little did I know that the day would end with me clutching a Paralympic Gold medal in Parliament…!
The medal in question belonged to Giles Long, the three-time Paralympic gold medal-winning swimmer. Giles joined the Government Relations team and the Nations and Regions Group for a drop-in event in Portcullis House for MPs representing constituencies in the South West of England. The event was an opportunity for MPs to chat to the Nations and Regions team about the benefits of the London 2012 Games for their region, ranging from legacy to Pre-Games Training Camps and business opportunities.
The medal in question belonged to Giles Long, the three-time Paralympic gold medal-winning swimmer. Giles joined the Government Relations team and the Nations and Regions Group for a drop-in event in Portcullis House for MPs representing constituencies in the South West of England. The event was an opportunity for MPs to chat to the Nations and Regions team about the benefits of the London 2012 Games for their region, ranging from legacy to Pre-Games Training Camps and business opportunities.
Read more of “Parliamentary support and a Paralympic gold medal”
London Roadshow visits Croydon
Mike, Croydon Harriers, 4 March 2008
I had the pleasure of attending the Get Set London roadshow which was taking place in the middle of the Whitgift Shopping Centre in Croydon all day on Thursday. As one of the team behind the Croydon Harriers Athletics Club, the fact that the Games is coming to London means a lot to me because it is so important to get young people interested in sport these days. Anything to promote sport is, in my eyes, good for the country and many people were able to see it while they were out shopping and on a break from work and Croydon College.
The younger people especially loved the sporting equipment there for them to try – one group came back repeatedly to challenge each other on the ‘batak’ and another group of about 12 squeezed onto the seats to have their picture taken. They were capitalising on every opportunity! One young man tested his grip strength and had 67 – the male average is about 40 apparently and a young girl had a strength of 37, when most women score about 25.
The younger people especially loved the sporting equipment there for them to try – one group came back repeatedly to challenge each other on the ‘batak’ and another group of about 12 squeezed onto the seats to have their picture taken. They were capitalising on every opportunity! One young man tested his grip strength and had 67 – the male average is about 40 apparently and a young girl had a strength of 37, when most women score about 25.
Yesterday I was in Newcastle as part of the UK-wide announcement of the successful sporting facilities which will be included in our Pre-Games Training Camp Guide. I popped into the Benfield Gymnastics Centre in the Walkergate part of town to present them with their certificate to mark their inclusion in the guide.
Through my work with Sport England and because my daughter is into gymnastics, I was vaguely aware of the centre, but I was really taken aback when I saw it in person. It was a real ‘hidden gem’, a fantastic facility – and from what I saw yesterday, producing some real talent too. The centre – and 18 other venues in the North East – are now part of the guide which will be available to all the 205 Olympic Committees across the world, who may wish to send their teams or indeed just some of their athletes to the UK to train ahead of the Games.
So what does this mean for Benfield Gymnastics Centre, the other chosen facilities and the region itself? The benefits aren’t necessarily economic – although potentially having an international team spending in the area won’t do any harm. Having elite athletes in the region will give opportunities for schools, sporting clubs and athletes in the area to create sporting and cultural links and of course there may be opportunities for local elite athletes to train alongside them.
Through my work with Sport England and because my daughter is into gymnastics, I was vaguely aware of the centre, but I was really taken aback when I saw it in person. It was a real ‘hidden gem’, a fantastic facility – and from what I saw yesterday, producing some real talent too. The centre – and 18 other venues in the North East – are now part of the guide which will be available to all the 205 Olympic Committees across the world, who may wish to send their teams or indeed just some of their athletes to the UK to train ahead of the Games.
So what does this mean for Benfield Gymnastics Centre, the other chosen facilities and the region itself? The benefits aren’t necessarily economic – although potentially having an international team spending in the area won’t do any harm. Having elite athletes in the region will give opportunities for schools, sporting clubs and athletes in the area to create sporting and cultural links and of course there may be opportunities for local elite athletes to train alongside them.
Our school, St Robert of Newminster Secondary School in Washington, Tyne and Wear, was the secondary school winner of VeloDream, a UK-wide competition for schoolchildren to design their own dream Cycling venues for future Games.
Our winning idea was based around the continents, so we had a larger circle with the Velodrome in the middle and the circle outside was split into all of the sections and they were based on whichever continent was within them.
Our winning design:
The whole design of it was split into sections, and it was like circles so it looked like it was a bike wheel, with the parts and everything. We all took different parts in each section and designed them.
Our winning idea was based around the continents, so we had a larger circle with the Velodrome in the middle and the circle outside was split into all of the sections and they were based on whichever continent was within them.
Our winning design:
The whole design of it was split into sections, and it was like circles so it looked like it was a bike wheel, with the parts and everything. We all took different parts in each section and designed them.
Read more of “Winning the VeloDream secondary schools category”
Our school - Curwen Primary School in the London Borough of Newham - was the primary school winner of VeloDream, a UK-wide competition for schoolchildren to design their own dream Cycling venues for future Games.
As finalists we were invited to London to meet BMX World Champion Shanaze Reade and work with the 2012 VeloPark design team to build a scale model of the 2012 Velodrome.
Building the scale model out of bamboo:
To enter the competition we basically did lots of different designs, with people working on different bits. We then we put them all together so the outside was in a bowl shape and then the seats would be sloping. We did lots of stuff on the computer and drew pictures of people cycling and did graphics and stuff like that.
As finalists we were invited to London to meet BMX World Champion Shanaze Reade and work with the 2012 VeloPark design team to build a scale model of the 2012 Velodrome.
Building the scale model out of bamboo:
To enter the competition we basically did lots of different designs, with people working on different bits. We then we put them all together so the outside was in a bowl shape and then the seats would be sloping. We did lots of stuff on the computer and drew pictures of people cycling and did graphics and stuff like that.
Read more of “Winning the VeloDream primary school category”
Being at the Get Set London roadshow in Bexley was great fun. Seeing all the screens lit up with information about the Olympic and Paralympic Games made me realise how much is going on and has already been done to start preparing London for 2012.
It’s my job as one of the Young Sporting Ambassadors to help people in schools get more involved in sporting activities. There are so many opportunities to take part in sport in Bexley. Playing in PE, in school teams or sports clubs is great fun but there’s also the chance to play on a bigger scale and even represent Bexley or London. What’s great about today is that young people can have a go on a range of sporting equipment to find out what they’re good at. You can even compare your scores to that of Olympic Gold medallists!
I saw lots of people coming over to the Roadshow find out a bit more information about the Games. I will be 18 in 2012 and hope to be able to volunteer to be a part of the events. There will be up to 70,000 volunteers helping out so hopefully I’ll be joined by some of the Bexley residents that have been finding out more today.
It’s my job as one of the Young Sporting Ambassadors to help people in schools get more involved in sporting activities. There are so many opportunities to take part in sport in Bexley. Playing in PE, in school teams or sports clubs is great fun but there’s also the chance to play on a bigger scale and even represent Bexley or London. What’s great about today is that young people can have a go on a range of sporting equipment to find out what they’re good at. You can even compare your scores to that of Olympic Gold medallists!
I saw lots of people coming over to the Roadshow find out a bit more information about the Games. I will be 18 in 2012 and hope to be able to volunteer to be a part of the events. There will be up to 70,000 volunteers helping out so hopefully I’ll be joined by some of the Bexley residents that have been finding out more today.
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