London 2012 blog

I've been based at the Main Press Centre (MPC) in Beijing for the past six weeks - through the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. We're here dealing with any press enquries - both about the London 2012 Handover segments in Beijing and questions the media have about London 2012 - as well as building relationships with international media from all over the world. Alot of the people coming to our office are also after the London 2012 pin badges - despite all the debate about the logo, they're hot property.



The MPC is huge and very impressive, serving all the needs of the tens of thousands of the international media out here reporting back from Beijing to their respective countries. (And it doesn't include the broadcast journalists, who have their own facilities right next door)

Read more of “Facilities for press at the Games”

On Sunday, 27 July, we mark four years to go to the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.

And where better to mark the moment than with the workers currently transforming the Park site?

Read more of “Four years to go – and counting”

I always knew I'd end up doing a marathon...mainly because it "runs" in the family. But I got pretty good at making up excuses; dodgy knee/ankle, no time to train, too close to my birthday...washing my hair that day.

Then I turned 30 and decided it had to be done. I managed to persuade a few others to join me, although admittedly the wine held more sway than my feeble powers of persuasion which did little to hide my ignorance of training schedules and going for runs on cold, dark winter nights.

But it seemed like a good idea and we even chose extremely worthwhile charities to run for. I desperately wanted to run for a cancer charity as I lost my mum to cancer some years ago... Plus I wanted to wear a massive foam daffodil around my neck on the big day. So kidding!

Then the day came. I thought it never would! Woke up pretty scared (not to mention tired as it was 6am and those that know me will tell you that I'm no morning person!).  Got to the start line and that's when the enormity of it dawned on me. But the volunteers were just AMAZING. If our volunteers in 2012 are half as good, our Games will be out of this world.

Read more of “My Marathon: the best is yet to come”

I would say that excitement for the Glasgow 2014 bid reached fever pitch around this time yesterday. The Scots at the organising committee had a few wee drinkies with the CEO where we talked at great length about Glasgow, its bid, how Scotland would react etc. I think that really brought it home to all of us. So, this morning we all came into work armed to the hilt with tartan hats and scarves.

We also raided the local supermarket for Scottish goodies that we could use for a staff celebration – because clearly we all knew Glasgow would win! 12.15 came, we set up camp in front of the TV in the press office: a traditional orange coloured Scottish drink, Tunnocks caramel wafers, green ginger wine (in case of unexpected cases of ‘mal de mer’!) and Scotch eggs. It was a bit of a cultural experience for some of our colleagues, but I think they’re better people for it.

We’re all delighted for Glasgow and Scotland. The Glasgow 2014 team put together an amazing bid and we know they’re going to put on spectacular games.