Five years to go

205 people working on the project came together on the site of the Olympic Village to mark the moment - representing the 205 nations participating in 2012.

Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee Sebastian Coe joins top athletes at the London 2012 Roadshow in Host Borough Waltham Forest today to mark the day.

Plans and progress for the Games are on track - this week the Olympic Delivery Authority took possession of the Olympic Park land, ensuring preparation of the site continues as planned.

Other key achievements in the past year include the announcement of Lloyds TSB and EDF Energy as Games partners and the completion of the tunnels to underground the powerlines in the Olympic Park.

The Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: 'Five years from today the Olympic flame will be lit in London, marking the start of the greatest celebration of sport we will have ever seen in this country.

'But the vision for London 2012 is about more than just hosting a fantastic Summer of sport. It is about using this opportunity as a catalyst for lasting change in our country.

'The team at 2012 are exactly where they planned to be at this point. The International Olympic Committee has praised their preparations to date.

'And they have my full support as they work to meet the many challenges that lie ahead and to make the most of the great prize of staging the Games here in Britain.'