Olympic Games

Our four-year Cultural Olympiad will reach a crescendo with the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony on 27 July. It starts a 60-day festival of sport and culture across the UK – the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

For the first time, these two events have been planned together from the very beginning. By thinking about the needs of both Olympic and Paralympic athletes and spectators at each point in our plans, we can create the best possible Games experience for everyone.

The Olympic Games and the UK
In 2012 London will host a Games like never before, drawing on the country’s proud Olympic heritage.

London hosted the Olympic Games in 1908 and 1948.

Each time, we left our mark on the Olympic movement with our innovative approach:

1908
In 1908, London stood as Host City in for Rome after an eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

The Olympic Stadium (White City) was built especially for the Olympic Games.
Athletes paraded under their national flags at a ceremony at the start of the Games.
The Marathon was fixed at 42.195km (26.2 miles) – the distance from Windsor Castle to the Royal Box in the Olympic Stadium. This became the official distance from the 1924 Games onwards.

1948
In 1948, London again stepped in at the last minute to host the first Games after World War II.

Games shown on home television.
Starting blocks for Sprint races.
Volunteer Programme created to help run the Games.

This has required the compulsory purchase of some business properties, which are being demolished to make way for Olympic venues and infrastructure improvements. This has caused some controversy, with some of the affected proprietors claiming that the compensation offered is inadequate. In addition, concerns about the development's potential impact on the future of the century-old Manor Garden Allotments have inspired a community campaign, and the demolition of the Clays Lane housing estate was opposed by tenants.

The majority of venues have been divided into three zones within Greater London: the Olympic Zone, the River Zone and the Central Zone. In addition to these are those venues that, by necessity, are outside the boundaries of Greater London, such as the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy on the Isle of Portland in Dorset (which will host the sailing events) and other stadia across the UK.