BBC London 2012

Days to go until London 2012

  • The Olympic Games

    280 days Starts: 27th July 2012

  • Festival 2012

    244 days Starts: 21st June 2012

  • Torch relay

    210 days Starts: 18th May 2012

London 2012 key dates

One year to go
One year to go 27th July 2011 One year to go until Olympic Games More on the Games
Mountain bike
Mountain bike test event 31st July 2011 Mountain bike test event More on the test events
One year to go until Paralympic Games
One year to go until Paralympic Games 29th August 2011 One year to go until Paralympic Games More on the Paralympics
Olympic year
Olympic year begins 1st January 2012 Olympic year More on visiting London
Volunteer training begins
Volunteer training begins From February 2012 Volunteer training begins More on volunteering
Torch arrives in the UK for relay
Torch arrives in the UK for relay 18th May 2012 Torch arrives in the UK for relay More on the torch relay
Festival 2012 begins
Festival 2012 begins arts, pop, film, theatre 21st June 2012 - 9th Sep 2012 Festival 2012 arts, pop, film, theatre More on Festival 2012
Olympic Games
Olympic Games 27th July 2012 - 12th Aug 2012 Olympic Games 26 sports over two weeks More on the venues
Paralympic Games
Paralympic Games 29th Aug 2012 - 9th Sep 2012 Paralympic Games More on the Paralympics

World Olympic Dreams Belgium's identical twins set for arctic trek Kevin and Jonathan Borlée

World Class The black power salute of Mexico '68 Black power salute statue

News

Sport

BBC London

Blogs

Olympic Park

Olympic venues infographic and map

Click on the venue links to see more information

Olympic Stadium

Sports: Athletics, Opening & Closing Ceremonies

80,000 capacity

Olympic Stadium

All eyes will be on the distinctive Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 as it hosts the opening ceremony. The 80,000-seat venue will be reduced to 25,000 post-Games.

Handball Arena

Sports: Handball, Modern Pentathlon

7,000 capacity

Handball Arena

The Handball Arena has "light pipes" which transfer sunlight to the interior with its brightly coloured seats. The exterior is clad in recycled copper.

Hockey Centre

Sport: Hockey

16,000 capacity

Hockey Centre

The Hockey Centre is a low elevation venue, allowing views across the park. It will have the first ever blue Olympic hockey pitch.

Velodrome

Sport: Track Cycling

6,000 capacity

Velodrome

The Velodrome was the first Olympic Park venue to be finished, in February 2011. The track is made of Siberian pine while the exterior is clad in red cedar.

BMX Circuit

Sport: BMX Cycling

6,000 capacity

BMX Circuit

The 400m BMX track will host three days of Olympic action. After the Games it will be incorporated into a new public velopark.

Basketball Arena

Sports: Basketball, Handball

12,000 capacity

Basketball Arena

The Basketball Arena is one of the largest temporary venues used for an Olympic Games. A crowd of 12,000 can gather under its 20,000 square metres of pvc fabric.

Water Polo Arena

Sport: Water Polo

5,000 capacity

Water Polo

The temporary Water Polo Arena comprises a competition pool plus a warm-up pool and will be in use for almost every day of the Games.

Aquatics Centre

Sports: Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Modern Pentathlon

17,500 capacity

Aquatics Centre

Designed by award-winning Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, the Aquatics Centre is a permanent venue with temporary "wings" to house most of the 17,500 spectators.

See all UK Olympic venues

London 2012: Watch online Start to plan your viewing with the BBC Equestrian test event at Greenwich

Liquid ban Fans cannot take drinks into Olympic venues One litre water bottle, 330ml juice carton, 100ml liquid holders

London 2012 Festival

London 2012 Festival (Official site)

10 million The number of opportunities to take part in events

Art, music, theatre, film (Official site)

BBC Travel

  • Greek actress Maria Nafpliotou playing the role of a high priestess, rehearsing lighting the Olympic flame in March 2008Olympia then and now

    BBC Travel journeys to the Games in 480 BC and picks up some tips for the modern day visitor

“I'm not going into this job looking only to select English players”

Team GB football coach Stuart Pearce On his aims for an inclusive London 2012 squad

BBC Archive

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