FSWSO » London 2012 » March 2010

London 2012 (20 unread)

adiZone's shaping sport in Southampton

Posted: March 26th, 2010, 7:00am CDT

After spending the morning training, I took the afternoon off and headed down to Southampton. I was invited down to Mansel Park in Millbrook to open the latest brand new adiZone.
adiZones are multisport facilities in the shape of the London 2012 logo. This is the 16th adiZone that has been installed across the country and they are going to continue to pop up across the UK in the next few months.
Photos of the week: Lights, films and action!

Posted: March 26th, 2010, 7:00am CDT

This week has been a busy week for London 2012. See what's been happening:
All of the Olympic Stadium's 14 lighting tower have been lifted into place, meaning the venue has reached its full height. I had the chance to see the Olympic Stadium recently and it already has an amazing atmosphere. Imagine how impressive it will be in 2012.
Interested in London 2012 tickets? Sign up for news and information now!

Posted: March 22nd, 2010, 7:00am CDT

Today marks a major milestone on our journey to London 2012. The official website to register for ticketing news and information is now open.

Why is this so significant? Well, we know that there is huge interest in London 2012 tickets. Which also means people are excited by the Games and eager to hear about our plans.
Raw energy on stage in Essex

Posted: March 19th, 2010, 7:00am CDT

The raw energy of the 13 to 16-year-olds on the stage of Thameside Theatre in Grays, Essex, on Tuesday night was palpable. Young people from Thurrock had taken over the theatre and were on stage performing new songs, spoken word, break dancing and body popping with substantial audience encouragement.
Boccia and wheelchair curling – ‘sister sports’

Posted: March 19th, 2010, 7:00am CDT

At first glance it might not look like there are many similarities between boccia and wheelchair curling. In fact there are several, not least the fact that Britain are pretty good at both sports!
Photos of the week

Posted: March 19th, 2010, 7:00am CDT

This week we’ve been witnessing the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games. It all started with the spectacular Opening Ceremony. I can’t wait to see what they’ve got in store for us during the Closing Ceremony.
First round of Unlimited commissions: genuinely inspiring disability art for London 2012

Posted: March 18th, 2010, 7:00am CDT

It never ceases to amaze me how creative and genuinely inspiring artists can be. The results of the first commissions awarded for Unlimited – our major disability arts project – were announced today. The commission panel have really done us proud.

It sounds easy to give money away but when you have so many excellent ideas they’ve had to make some very tough decisions. Disabled and deaf artists from across the UK have really been inspired by the Games.
My London 2012 50p coin will survive for centuries!

Posted: March 18th, 2010, 7:00am CDT

Back in the summer last year I entered a competition to design the next 50 pence coin based on Cycling for the Olympics so I thought I would give it a go, never expecting to stand even the slightest chance of winning.
My design:
Will the Paralympics be a hit with young people in London too?

Posted: March 17th, 2010, 7:00am CDT

I’m currently in Vancouver at the Winter Paralympic Games – observing, learning from and asking (hundreds of) questions of our counterparts working on the education programme out here. It is a fantastic opportunity for me to learn from colleagues and to explore how best we use our education programme, Get Set, to engage and involve schools and young people at Paralympic Games-time in 2012.

Yesterday, my colleagues here and I were kindly invited by James Gilmore Elementary School in Richmond, British Columbia, to join them at the Ice Sledge Hockey. The whole school attended the game as part of the ‘Ticket to Inspiration’ programme in Vancouver.
Why should it be an either/or decision to do sport or become an artist?

Posted: March 15th, 2010, 7:00am CDT

Shane Lynch from Boyzone sees no difference between being a singer and being a racing driver – it’s all about performance, personal best and being an entertainer.
Photos of the week: diversity and inclusion

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

This shot is great, it shows us how sport can have such a positive influence on everyone including those who play and those who spectate. There was a lot about Boccia that I didn't know until Cecilia, British Boccia champion, came into the office and explained everything.
I love this image because of the sheer concentration and determination that you can see in Lesley's face. You can definitely see why she is an Olympic hopeful. This picture really packs a punch!

This image shows the first of the Olympic Stadium’s lighting towers being lifted into place, taking the flagship venue to its full height at 60 metres above the field of play. A very impressive sight to behold.
Ready to soak up the knowledge from the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics

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

The Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics kick off this evening. Once again, I’m looking forward to see elite athletes pushing themselves to achieve everything they believe they can - and more - as they aim to be the best they can be.

I find the determination and courage shown by Paralympians awesome, inspirational. It lifts the heart and makes you feel you too can achieve whatever you want if you truly put your mind to it.
London 2012: More evidence that we're creating 'everyone's Games'

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

When I first heard about a job at London 2012 I couldn’t believe how it for a second could work for me - an 18 year old from the Midlands. I know most people at the age of 18 flee the nest and leave home for university but I found the thought of moving on my own to London quite daunting.
Our diversity message is spreading from London to Albania

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

The reach of London 2012, I discovered, goes a very long way and has a profound effect. In the run up to our own Diversity Week I was asked by the British Council to be part of a week promoting inclusion in Albania. I spent four days learning it means to go beyond your personal best.
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 Whitaker 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.