http://www.londonolympics2012.comNews from London Olympics 2012(c)londonolympics2012.com 2000-20095Venues for London Olympics in 2012http://www.londonolympics2012.com/default.aspx?atk=915Tue, 27 Jul 2010 london_atk915Rising in the east is the Olympic Stadium, to all intents and purposes a completed structure; the roof of the Aquatics Centre dominates the skyline to the right of the stadium; the Olympic village is in the background; the velodrome, its roof complete, and in the middle the distinctive basketball arena. With exactly two years to go, our planning is well advanced – venues are a year (or less) away from completion and every day the Olympic Park is getting closer to becoming a fantastic new parkland area. Now it is your turn, as we celebrate two years to go, it is time for you to plan your Games. - Daily Telegraphhttp://www.londonolympics2012.com/default.aspx?atk=2408Tue, 27 Jul 2010 Daily Telegraphlondon_atk2408Two years from today, the Olympic flame will be lit in a stadium that is now all but finished on a site in east London that is looking more and more as it will in July 2012. This time next year, test events will begin. All of a sudden, there is not much time left. Despite the worst recession for 70 years, the construction of the venues is on track. "We're in a remarkably good place," said the sports and Olympics minister, Hugh Robertson. "As at today, we are marginally ahead of where we ought to be in construction terms and on budget, which is an extraordinarily good position to be in." As confidence grows that the London Olympics will avoid an Athens-style meltdown, attention will turn to the operational issues for which the London organising committee (Locog), chaired by Lord Coe, is responsible. - The Guardianhttp://www.londonolympics2012.com/default.aspx?atk=2407Mon, 26 Jul 2010 The Guardianlondon_atk2407Procter & Gamble will next week become the latest major multi-national company to sign up as a sponsor of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in a deal that will include London 2012. A press conference is scheduled for London next Wednesday (July 28) to announce that P&G, the United States fifth biggest company, will sign a $100 million (£65 million) deal to become the IOC's 11th global sponsor. The deal will extend the one that P&G signed with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) last September, which included 17 of the company's barnds, including many used by women, such as Cover Girl, Olay, Pantene and Secret. "The Olympics is one of the highest-watched sports events by women," P&G's global marketing officer Marc Pritchard said at a recent event. "Sports are one of the ways that families are brought together." - Inside The Gameshttp://www.londonolympics2012.com/default.aspx?atk=2402Sun, 25 Jul 2010 Inside The Gameslondon_atk2402A major new multi-million pound scheme that will allow Britain's smaller businesses to get involved in the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics is to be launched tomorrow. "Our Team 2012" is aimed at mobilising the support of the country's small and medium-sized (SME) businesses to help Britain's athletes prepare for the Games. Designed exclusively for SMEs, the fundraising programme, will run alongside Team 2012, the scheme sponosred by Visa launched last September and described by London 2012 Sebastian Coe as "a ground-breaking moment for British sport". Team 2012 was designed to help fill a £50 million ($77 million) shortfall in funding by the then Government under Gordon Brown. Firms that sign-up for the new scheme, which will also complement existing National Lottery and Government funding, will receive official status linked to London 2012. - Inside The Gameshttp://www.londonolympics2012.com/default.aspx?atk=2405Sun, 25 Jul 2010 Inside The Gameslondon_atk2405Former Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell has been offered a place at London 2012's top table - a place on the Olympic board running the Games. I've learned that Jowell, who played a crucial job in persuading the Labour Government to bid for the Games seven years ago, will sit alongside Conservative Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson, London Mayor Boris Johnson and 2012 chairman Lord Coe at key meetings. It's a surprise move for the coalition Government to give the London MP, who is still the shadow Olympics spokesman, such a high-profile role. Jowell was expected to be given some sort of ambassadorial role promoting the Games and the legacy of the Games worldwide. But she will now sit at the heart of the handful of people making the key decisions about the Games. - www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/adrianwarnerhttp://www.londonolympics2012.com/default.aspx?atk=2401Fri, 16 Jul 2010 www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/adrianwarnerlondon_atk2401"Designer Stella McCartney has been appointed creative director of Team GB's Olympic outfits for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games." So reads the headline. Women athletes are 'thrilled to bits' at the news just out from ADIDAS. Many of them are hoping to be asked for their input. Shotput diva, Irma Mann, said she's hoping for a high-necked top to cover a lump on her throat. Long jump diva, Samantha Longlegs (daughter of 'Daddy Longlegs' - holder of l00 yds sprint record) says she'd like something 'strapless' to avoid tanlines. Samantha appears to have forgotten where the 2012 Olympics are going to be held. Champion diver, Champion Diver, is hoping Stella designs some speedos that won't 'ride up' and show his cheeks. He said his boyfriend doesn't like it when other blokes stare at his bum. - The Spoofhttp://www.londonolympics2012.com/default.aspx?atk=2400Wed, 14 Jul 2010 The Spooflondon_atk2400London 2012 today announced plans to recruit up to 70,000 volunteers for the Olympics and Paralympics in the biggest post-war volunteer recruitment campaign in the UK’s history. The volunteers, who will be known as Games Makers, will be vital in ensuring the smooth running of the Games while fast food giant McDonald’s has been appointed the Presenting Partner the scheme and will use their expertise in customer service and training to help attract, select and train the diverse team. There are two types of Games Maker roles; specialists in areas such as medical services, sport or press operations and generalists, with roles ranging from spectator assistants, uniform distributors and ticket checking. In addition to the Games Makers, the Mayor of London will shortly announce plans for the recruitment of London Volunteers who will be stationed at key transport hubs, visitor attractions and on the streets of the capital during the Games to make visitors receive the best possible welcome to the city. - Inside The Gameshttp://www.londonolympics2012.com/default.aspx?atk=2399Fri, 09 Jul 2010 Inside The Gameslondon_atk2399