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London 2012

Personal bests: Could you beat yours?

Posted: March 9th, 2010, 6:00am CST

It was great to see a number of personal bests from Team GB athletes at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics:
Amy Williams – GOLD in the Women's Skeleton! First Team GB Olympic Winter gold medal since Women's Curlers in 2002.
London 2012 international sports participation programme brings a flavour of Brazil to Nottinghamshire

Posted: March 7th, 2010, 6:00am CST

At a recent visit to the Joseph Witaker School in Nottinghamshire I was shown powerfully again the power the International Inspiration programme is having on young people here in the UK.
International Weightlifting Federation: London 2012 venue ‘magnificent’

Posted: March 5th, 2010, 6:00am CST

Two technical delegates from the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) visited us at the London 2012 Organising Committee for the first time last week. As the Sports Manager for Weightlifting for the Games, I’m delighted to say they were very impressed with what they saw!
Photos of the week: Olympic Stadium lights

Posted: March 5th, 2010, 6:00am CST

This week we've been excited to see the first of the Olympic Stadium's lighting towers lifted into place. This means the the Stadium is now at full height - 60m above the field of play.
Vancouver 2010: a great learning opportunity for London 2012 sponsors

Posted: March 3rd, 2010, 6:00am CST

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games represent a real opportunity for Deloitte UK. As Official Professional Services Provider to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it's our last chance to experience all the different sides to a Games before it happens for real here in 2012.
Deloitte people from the UK have had several different roles in Vancouver and Whistler – as official volunteers, seconded to the organising committee, taking on delivery roles at Games time, and supporting our Canadian firm’s client programme at events. It's experience they're bringing back to inform the jobs they do for London.
What do young leaders from Trinidad and Tobago make of 'International Inspiration'?

Posted: March 2nd, 2010, 6:00am CST

In among the excitement of the Vancouver Winter Olympics, Seb Coe, Tessa Jowell and Sir Keith Mills hosted a reception in Vancouver to update members of the Olympic Family on progress to date on the International Inspiration programme. Stars of the show were 17-year-old Mikyle Chaitsingh and 16-year-old Diandra Joseph from East Mucurapo School in Tobago – just two of 3.5 million young people already involved with the programme.
Like young leaders in the other 11 current International Inspiration countries, Mikyle and Diandra are helping to promote sport and PE to other young people and to encourage them to get involved. They explained the programme to an audience of 140 people.
Photos of the week: Amy strikes gold

Posted: February 26th, 2010, 6:00am CST

On Saturday Amy Williams won Britain's first solo Olympic Winter Games gold medal for 30 years. It was a fantastic moment and this picture really captures the joy and elation that she, and the rest of the UK, felt when she won.
Diving vs Aerial Skiing? Somersaults, twists and flips

Posted: February 26th, 2010, 6:00am CST

Flying through the air with back flips and twists, getting judged for style and difficulty… sound familiar?! Nope, not diving – it's aerial skiing!
Will any Vancouver athletes compete at London 2012?

Posted: February 23rd, 2010, 6:00am CST

The London 2012 blog is featuring Olympic Summer Games athletes writing about their winter sport equivalents. But every now and then an athlete becomes renowned by actually picking up a second sport. Team GB cyclist Rebecca Romero was previously an Olympic rower; U.S. basketball legend Michael Jordan dallied in baseball. Triathletes, decathletes and modern pentathletes clearly all have a pretty diverse range of skills.
That said, there have only been about 15 people to compete in both a Summer and Winter Olympics. Four of these athletes won a medal in both Games. And there has been only one person who managed to win the in the same year.
Figure skating and gymnastics: what's the link?

Posted: February 23rd, 2010, 6:00am CST

I can't believe there are only a few days left of the Vancouver Winter Olympics – I've really enjoyed watching all the action over the last 10 days or so and cheering on Team GB. They’ve all performed brilliantly and Amy Williams’ gold was the icing on the cake so far!
Whilst I enjoy watching all winter sports, I have to say that the one I have a particular soft spot for is the figure skating. I really enjoyed the performances from Sinead and John Kerr and Penny Coomes and Nick Buckland yesterday – they all did fantastically well, achieving seasonal bests.
Go GB Go! What will bring our Live Sites to life?

Posted: February 22nd, 2010, 6:00am CST

Hello from the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver at the end of week 1 – what have I learnt so far?

Well, first of all, it's a great celebration. It is undeniable that Canada, and especially Vancouver, has risen to the challenge and laid on a very special party. Wherever you go, you'll find thousands of people making the most of wonderful spring-like weather and a very special cityscape, framed by mountains and water.
Cycling and bobsleigh… Sister sports?

Posted: February 22nd, 2010, 6:00am CST

Hasn’t it been a fantastic week of action in Vancouver? And – as we saw so well during Beijing – there’s nothing like Team GB success to get the UK excited. I gave a talk to the team in Bath last year – it was nice to meet Amy and the team back then and I am so pleased to see her get Gold. Well done Amy!
Following in the footsteps of Heather and Christine already blogging on this website, I’ve also been watching my own ‘sister sport’ of the Winter Olympics – bobsleigh. At first glance track cycling and bobsleigh might not appear to have that much in common…one’s inside, you’re on a bike by yourself, pedalling yourself round a track; the other’s on ice, two or four of you all together in rather than ‘on’ your equipment.
But take a closer look and I think there are actually some key things we’ve got in common. Both sports need a massive effort at the start, building momentum to get you round – or down – the track as quickly as possible. You need strength and balance as well as speed. There’s the equipment you use – state of the art, finely tuned to get the best results possible. And there’s the team element – while bobsleighers are all together and on the track we’ve each got our own bike, in both sports you’ve got to be totally in tune, fully concentrated and aware of what your team mates are doing if you’re going to finish in the best possible time.
I watched Team GB men competing over the weekend – after their crash in the two-men Bob, John Jackson and Dan Money and will now be re-focusing, looking to prove what they’re capable of in the four-man at the end of the week. I’m looking forward to seeing the Nicola Minichiello and Gillian Cooke compete tomorrow – another Team GB medal hope. Good luck!
Congratulations Amy Williams!

Posted: February 20th, 2010, 6:00am CST

Congratulations to Amy Williams for her stunning Skeleton win at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver! It was a brilliant effort requiring immense speed and skill. The first Team GB women's individual gold medal for 58 years was so well deserved.
Chris Holmes: 6 months as Director of Paralympic Integration

Posted: February 19th, 2010, 6:00am CST

In the latest of our popular audio blogs, London 2012's Director of Paralympic Integration, and Paralympic swimming Champion, Chris Holmes speaks to us about progress during his first 6 months in the job, and his hopes for the next couple of years.
Listen to Chris's blog (When you click on the link, it should open in your default audio player)
Read the full transcript of Chris's blog
Photos of the week: Loving Vancouver!

Posted: February 19th, 2010, 6:00am CST

This week I spotted this great image of GB athletes (Goldie Sayers and Jamie Staff) showing their support for Vancouver. It really brings it home that London 2012 is just around the corner for us.
Sprinting: There are strong similarities between track and ice

Posted: February 18th, 2010, 6:00am CST

I'm in Jamaica at the moment for some winter training – working hard, but, I admit it, enjoying the heat too!
I'm equally enjoying the amazing sport action happening in the snow over in Vancouver.
I watched the Speed Skating ladies 500 metres yesterday, cheering on our Team GB athletes. Their sport is similar to what I do in the 400m sprint – but on ice on blades a millimetre thick and at a speed of up to 45km per hour!
Loving the Live Site action in Canada

Posted: February 16th, 2010, 6:00am CST

We're savouring the excitement here in Canada - and there's plenty of that! Just as our Live Sites in the UK are now carrying all the films of British athletes plus some great Canadian films from the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad Digital Edition (CODE), so we are bringing the best in competition and entertainment from all over Canada to the live sites in Vancouver.
Meanwhile the Live Sites in Whistler are featuring nightly shows bringing the best of Canadian entertainment to the audiences at either end of Highway 99 - the 'Sea to Sky' highway as the road from Vancouver to Whistler is named because you drive uphill for two hours!
What a brilliant result for our Team GB biathlete

Posted: February 15th, 2010, 6:00am CST

I've been enjoying the snow here in Britain (though it made training slightly trickier this week!), but of course all the real winter action is now fully underway in Vancouver, at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. It was fantastic watching Lee-Steve Jackson compete in the Biathlon events for Team GB yesterday evening – he achieved his personal best and, by being placed 55th, made Olympic history when he became the first British biathlete to qualify for the 12.km.
Oh, Canada... Reflections on the Opening Ceremony

Posted: February 15th, 2010, 6:00am CST

A daunting task for Canada to follow the shock and awe of Beijing. A daunting task for myself and the London 2012 Ceremonies team, to know that we are next.

Both thoughts preoccupied me as I made my way to BC Place for the opening ceremony of the Vancouver Winter Olympic games. I have been to Vancouver a few times over the past year to learn as much as possible from the team here, who when in the midst of long hours and tight deadlines were never less than generous with their time.
Westminister and the 'London 2012 effect'

Posted: February 15th, 2010, 6:00am CST

Last week our team from Westminster Council (officers and councillors alike) visited the Olympic Park in Stratford. We were lucky enough to be taken around by Paul Deighton (Chief Exec, LOCOG) and David Higgins (Chief Exec, ODA). Their enthusiasm for Europe's biggest construction project was infectious and seeing the changes in terms of the buildings and venues was amazing from our last visit to Holden Point over two years ago.
What really struck us, though, was quite how much the 2012 Games can make a difference. Local communities in East London boroughs are already benefiting from new jobs and will be left with a lasting regeneration legacy after the Games are over.
Westminster and the 'London 2012 effect'

Posted: February 15th, 2010, 6:00am CST

Last week our team from Westminster Council (officers and councillors alike) visited the Olympic Park in Stratford. We were lucky enough to be taken around by Paul Deighton (Chief Exec, LOCOG) and David Higgins (Chief Exec, ODA). Their enthusiasm for Europe's biggest construction project was infectious and seeing the changes in terms of the buildings and venues was amazing from our last visit to Holden Point over two years ago.
What really struck us, though, was quite how much the 2012 Games can make a difference. Local communities in East London boroughs are already benefiting from new jobs and will be left with a lasting regeneration legacy after the Games are over.
Travelling with the torch

Posted: February 12th, 2010, 6:00am CST

London 2012 is big on ambition. And some of the ambitions are big, too – like the regeneration of the East End of London, inspiring the youth of the world to choose sport, or creating a cultural celebration like never before.
Then again, some of the ambitions are small, personal, and perhaps even trivial. The one I realised very early this morning is firmly in the latter category. Indeed, the ambition was, until now, entirely private and confidential.
Sitting on the bus with my fellow torchbearers was such an inspiration

Posted: February 12th, 2010, 6:00am CST

There are moments in life when you are reminded why you are doing what you are doing. For me, today was one of those moments.
Sitting on the bus with 20 fellow torchbearers and listening to their amazing stories was such an inspiration.
Getting ready to take the Torch at Vancouver 2010

Posted: February 12th, 2010, 6:00am CST

I am in Vancouver with a small team from London 2012 to observe the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. This is the last Games before London 2012 and therefore our final opportunity to learn as much as we can to help with our own planning.
Photos of the week: Velodrome at night, Basketball Arena and Vancouver

Posted: February 12th, 2010, 6:00am CST

This week I spotted this great photo on the webcams which shows the Velodrome at night. Lit up, you can almost imagine what the atmosphere will be like during the London 2012 Games.

The Velodrome at night
What sport would you like to see on your doorstep?

Posted: February 10th, 2010, 6:00am CST

As part of my work with London 2012 I have the pleasure of getting out and about, finding out how the Games are really inspiring the UK – not least with the Inspire programme. I was recently at the Houses of Parliament to celebrate a milestone for an Inspire mark project, 'Street Games Legacy Leaders'. They were celebrating three years of delivering 'Doorstep Sport', reaching one million young people in deprived communities across the UK.
Sourcing sustainable food on the Park

Posted: February 9th, 2010, 6:00am CST

With over 7,000 people working on the Olympic Park, the prospect of feeding them is a mammoth task in its own right. Millions of cooked breakfasts, hearty lunches and who knows how many cups of the traditional builder's tea will be served between now and 2012.
London 2012 has set ambitious standards to make the Games the most sustainable ever. With so many mouths to feed these standards are being supported on the Olympic Park with caterers of all shapes and sizes working towards common goals around sourcing sustainable food.

Canteen menu showing fruit in season used to make muffins.
Photos of the week: Desmond Tutu, James Cracknell and the Olympic Park

Posted: February 5th, 2010, 6:00am CST

This week London 2012 welcomed Archbishop Desmond Tutu to the Olympic Park. He made us laugh and feel inspired, but most of all he made us feel proud about how multicultural London is and how this will help us host the best Games ever! See more photos of Desmond Tutu visiting.
Congratulations to Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson and Tony Hall

Posted: February 5th, 2010, 6:00am CST

I was delighted to learn that Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson and Tony Hall will be joining me in the House of Lords. Both have been appointed as Crossbench (non-party political) peers.
Dame Tanni is one of Britain's greatest Paralympians, winning 11 Paralympic gold medals and setting more than 20 world records. She is Vice-Chair of the London 2012 Sports Advisory Group and a UNICEF International Inspiration ambassador.
Tony has been Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House since 2001, and was asked to set up and chair the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad Board last July. He is passionate about widening access to the Royal Opera House and its work, and to develop partnerships with performing arts centres around the world.
Both Dame Tanni and Tony will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the House. I'm sure that everyone will join me in wishing them well in their new roles.
Who better to inspire us about diversity than Desmond Tutu?!

Posted: February 4th, 2010, 6:00am CST

Today's been just brilliant! This morning I was lucky enough to lead a group of local young people to meet Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the View Tube near Stratford.
Speaking to him was so inspirational. He's really energetic and funny, but also really down to earth.
I talked to him about the diversity of people in Newham and how the Olympics will put us all on show and create opportunities for years to come.