London 2012 Olympics: Frankie Fredericks urges Team GB athletes to boycott Games if Dwain Chambers cleared

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will deliver a ruling next week after the British Olympic Association challenged the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) for declaring the ban "non-compliant".

Although the BOA have had no indication from the court, senior officials have confirmed they are preparing for defeat. It means that Chambers and cyclist David Millar, who have both previously served bans for doping, now look set to be part of Team GB for the Olympics.

"I really respect the bylaws of the BOA. They have taken a stand to say we don't want a cheat. For the athletes to vote for that bylaw is something incredible," said Fredericks, now an International Olympic Committee member.

"It would be nice if the athletes can come out and say: 'OK even if CAS decides, Dwain Chambers and (cyclist) David Millar go to the Olympic Games, then we're not going to go. This is our bylaw. These are the values that we believe in.'

"Then the country can decide: either we have these two cheats or we have athletes who are clean.

"This is where the British athletes will be challenged - because they will have to make principled decisions.

"This is going to be an Olympic Games watched by many youths and we don't want these cheats to have an opportunity to tarnish them."

Fredericks's comments to the Daily Mail came after Sir Chris Hoy led expressions of disappointment after learning that the BOA are resigned to losing a court battle to keep their lifetime ban for drugs cheats.

Hoy, the four-times Olympic cycling champion, said: "It will be sad if we have to fall in line with the rest of the world.

"I don't see anything wrong with having more stringent rules. I think it should be the rest of the world that's falling in line with our rules."

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Posted in: London 2012,London 2012 Olympics,London 2012 Olympic,London 2012 Olympic Coins,London 2012 Olympic Games,London 2012 Olympics,London 2012 Olympics Tickets,London 2012 Stadium

London 2012 Olympics: torch relay police officers 'to get counselling'

The Metropolitan Police admitted the group would receive support from “Occupational health specialists” before and after the 70-day relay.

Britain’s biggest police force also admitted disclosed that they would be given psychological training on how to prepare themselves for being away from home.

Officials also admitted the group would also have access to career advisers to help them settle back into their day jobs after their two-month assignment was finished and would be offered counselling to help them “reintegrate”.

It is thought that taxpayers will fund the plans, which officials said was to ensure the “welfare” of 36 officers was “considered at every stage”.

^{Jasmine Vanmali and Samuel Rowbotham carry the torch from the National Space Centre during the dress rehearsal (PA)}

In total, 52 officers will protect the Olympic torch as fears heighten that the relay around Britain and the Republic of Ireland will be targeted by radicalised protest groups.

The Met Police's torch relay protection will comprise five teams of seven officers running alongside and around the torch flame bearer to prevent any chaotic scenes that accompanied the Beijing Olympic torch relay four years ago.

The additional police numbers are made up of planners and command and control. During the Games the security threat is rated as severe and the torch relay team has been training as if the likelihood of an attack is imminent.

The officers chosen for the security team are said to be “among the fittest” in the force. The cost of the operation has not been disclosed.

On Friday a full dress rehearsal of the torch relay was enacted for 80 miles between Leicester and Peterborough.

It involved 14 cars and trucks in the convoy and up to a further 90 vehicles, such as sponsor vehicles and the BBC accompanying the relay.

Seven Met runners flanked the torchbearers for a gentle jog through the streets and the group were also escorted by a police cyclist, named only as “Cyclist One”.

Torch bearers will run or walk nearly 1000 feet with the torch, which was not lit for the rehearsal.

Local roads were also closed to traffic on a rolling basis for 15 minutes in advance of the torch arrival and reopen 30 minutes later.

While various anti-sponsor protests have escalated in recent weeks with more being organised in the lead-up to the Games, experts on the IRA are warning the torch relay is vulnerable to attack.

The actual torch relay will start from Land's End in Cornwall next month after the arrival of the Olympic flame in the UK on May 18.

On its journey to the opening ceremony on July 27, the torch will be carried by about 7,300 nominated members of the public, athletes and celebrities.

Each will carry the flame for about 300 yards and about 110 people will take part each day. On Friday night, a Met police spokesman defended the plans, reported in the Daily Mail.

“We recognise that this is unique role never performed within British policing,” he said.

“Mindful of the fact that officers will be taken away from their homes for 70 days and encouraged to live as part of a team, their reintegration back into the Met after the event is already being carefully planned.

“Occupational health specialists within the Met are already developing plans to ensure that the welfare of this team is considered at every stage and the best possible support provided.”

The spokesman said that preparations included “talking to them about their career aspirations and encouraging them to plan ahead for when they are away from home”.

Paul Deighton, the London organising committee (Locog) chief executive, has pleaded that the torch relay be allowed to showcase "ordinary people who have done extraordinary things for the community".

"It would be absolutely terrible to ruin that moment for these people, I don't know why anyone would want to do that (protest or interrupt the relay),” he said.

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Posted in: London 2012,London 2012 Olympics,London 2012 Olympic,London 2012 Olympic Coins,London 2012 Olympic Games,London 2012 Olympics,London 2012 Olympics Online,London 2012 Olympics Tickets

London 2012, Atos launch Technology Operations Centre

The launch of the centre follows the first phase of London Prepares Series

London 2012 and Atos, the IT Partner for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, have launched the Technology Operations Centre.

The new centre is designed to be the mission control for all 94 Olympic competition and non-competition venues.

Atos said the launch of Technology Operations Centre follows the first phase of the London Prepares Series.

Technology Operations Centre monitors and controls the IT systems that deliver the results from all the Olympic and Paralympic sports competitions to the world's media in real time and Atos expects to process 30% more results data than in Beijing, said the company.

Atos predicts that the London Games are set with 8.5 billion PCs, smartphones and tablets connected to the Internet by 2012.

In this year's Summer Olympics, all 26 Olympic sports and 5 of the Paralympic sports have been added to the Commentator Information System (CIS). The CIS is managed, centrally from the Technology Operations Centre to enable commentators and journalists with touch-screen technology that gives results in real time.

Broadcasters will have access both in London and their home countries to the system for all Olympic and 5 Paralympic sports, said Atos.

When the Games are on, the Technology Operations Centre will operate at full capacity with about 450 business technologists covering 180 positions to manage and monitor the technology infrastructure and systems including IT security, telecommunications, power and the results systems.

Atos said the first phase of the London Prepare Series serve as the first real life practice events for not just athletes, but also the technology team, as well as the media, and the venues themselves.

During the 79 days of competition, the London 2012 technology team, Atos and all the technology partners set up and took down almost 180 servers, over 1160 PCs and laptops, 190 network and security devices and more than 400 printers and copiers, said the company.
International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said technology is radically changing how spectators enjoy the Olympic Games.

"The IOC is very impressed with the progress of the preparations in London," said Rogge.

London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton said technology often goes unnoticed and yet is absolutely critical to London 2012 success in 2012.

"The Games cannot happen without technology and I am delighted that that our London 2012 Technology team together with Atos and the team of technology partners are on track to deliver the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012," said Deighton.

Atos Iberia Olympics and Major Events CEO Patrick Adiba said Technology Operations Centre will be the central technology hub providing the results to the Olympic family and world's media in less than a second, so spectators around the world can follow events in real time wherever they are and on any device.

"Today is a major technology milestone and demonstrates that we are on target to deliver the London 2012 Games," said Adiba.

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Posted in: London 2012,London 2012 Olympic Games,London 2012 Olympics,London 2012 Olympics Tickets

London 2012 Olympics: officials to be questioned by Parliament over collapse of stadium deal

The news came on the day that the West Ham deal collapsed, leaving a black hole of £100 million that may have to be funded by the taxpayer.

Andrew Altman, chief executive of the Olympic Park Legacy Company responsible for negotiations with West Ham, is among the officials who will be called before the influential Public Accounts Committee on Dec 14.

Details of the inquiry can be disclosed as it emerged that the collapse of West Ham’s deal to take over the Olympic Stadium has left a shortfall in the public funding package.

Margaret Hodge MP, the committee’s chairman, said the cost of reconfiguring the stadium was certain to be raised by MPs. She said that the officials in charge “appear to be oblivious to the constraints that the rest of the public sector are experiencing.”

Dennis Hone, chief executive of the Olympic Development Authority, Paul Deighton, chief executive of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, and Jonathan Stephens, the most senior civil servant at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, will also be questioned.

Newham and the Government blamed “legal paralysis” caused by Tottenham and Leyton Orient, who have demanded a judicial review scheduled to be heard next Tuesday.

Newham were also facing an anonymous complaint to the European Commission, arguing that their loan constituted illegal state aid.

There was also the possibility that Newham-West Ham could lose the case if it went to a full hearing. Leyton Orient were increasingly confident about the strength of their case.

The hearing will come after the National Audit Office, the public spending watchdog, publishes a value-for-money review of the Olympics in the next few weeks.

The OPLC confirmed on Tuesday that it had ended negotiations with West Ham and funding partner Newham Council because legal challenges meant they could no longer guarantee to have the stadium open for the start of the 2014-15 football season.

The OPLC said it would issue new tender documents for a 60,000-seat stadium retaining the running track by early next month and is seeking expression of interest by January. The intention is for the stadium to remain in public ownership with the successful bidder paying an annual rent of around £2 million.

Under the new proposal, however, the cost of converting the stadium from its 85,000 Olympic capacity to a 60,000-seat arena with the facilities required by a Premier League football club will fall to the taxpayer.

Sports minister Hugh Robertson said on Tuesday that the cost was estimated at £95 million.

Some £35 million of that has already been allocated by the OPLC to a conversion fund, but the remaining £60million is likely to be met from public funds unless a tenant can be persuaded to contribute.

Estimates on Tuesday night suggested the costs could exceed £100 million.

The OPLC and Government would hope to recover the investment in rent over the lifetime of the stadium. They will also hope to attract other sports and concert promoters to show an interest.

Robertson suggested that Newham might be persuaded to provide £40 million to the conversion costs as under the initial deal with West Ham, but conceded that there was no requirement for them to do so.

West Ham immediately said they would bid to move to the stadium. Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said the new tenants would “almost certainly be West Ham”. This drew an angry response and the threat of further legal action from Leyton Orient, who are also intent on bidding for the stadium, which is less than a mile from Brisbane Road.

“It appears from the mayor’s comments that he has not grasped the reality of an impartial tender process unless he knows something that we don’t,” club chairman Barry Hearn said.

“One would have thought that if there have been any lessons from this debacle of a bid process that they have not been learnt. We will be watching carefully.”

Chelsea and QPR, both exploring new stadium options, last night said they were not interested. Tottenham will examine the tender documents but if the track is non-negotiable they will concentrate on securing additional public sector funding for their new ground in Haringey.

Leyton Orient will go to the High Court on Thursday seeking to recover their full costs.

Andrew Boff, Olympic spokesman for the Conservative Group on the London Assembly, branded the collapse “a catastrophe” and blamed London 2012 chairman Lord Coe for insisting the running track be kept.

The announcement was welcomed by Johnson and UK Athletics, who believe the commitment to retain the track will enhance their bid for the 2017 World Athletics Championships.

What the OPLC decision means for the key players in stadium drama

UK ATHLETICS
The decision represents a welcome boost to UKA, as it guarantees the retention of a running track – crucial for London’s bid to host the 2017 World Championships. Athletics is the major beneficiary without contributing any funding.

What they say: UKA chairman Ed Warner: "The legacy company has acted swiftly and smartly. They’re going to get a positive result.”

OLYMPIC PARK LEGACY COMPANY
A serious embarrassment. They had been confident the deal with West Ham would survive legal challenges. They will now have to spend up to £100 million of public money on transforming the stadium.

What they say: Sports Minister Hugh Robertson: "This is not a white elephant. The action we have taken today is about removing uncertainty.”

WEST HAM
West Ham appear to remain the OPLC’s preferred bidder for the £2 million-a-year tenancy. This new scenario could be a better deal for the club, who could not have afforded to move into the stadium without the £40 million of state aid promised by Newham Council. That money was under threat if Tottenham and Leyton Orient had won their High Court case against the West Ham-Newham bid.

What they say: Karren Brady, vice-chairman: "Our bid is the only one that will secure the sporting and community legacy promise.”

TOTTENHAM
The club welcomed the decision and will look at the OPLC’s tenancy terms. But if a running track is non-negotiable, they have already stated they are not interested. Instead they will focus on securing public funding for a new stadium in Haringey.

What they say: Club statement: "The bid we put forward was a realistic solution.”

LEYTON ORIENT
A major victory for the League One club in the short term. The decision does not banish their big fear – West Ham moving in – but they will now bid to become the stadium’s tenant.

What they say: Chairman Barry Hearn: "If it’s not us moving in, we will continue to object.”

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Posted in: London 2012,London 2012 Olympic,London 2012 Olympics,London 2012 Olympics Tickets,London 2012 Stadium,London 2012 Tickets

London 2012 Olympic Stadium ownership

The deal to award West Ham the Olympic Stadium after the London 2012 Games collapsed early on Tuesday morning.

The board of the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) ended negotiations with the club amid concerns over delays caused by a legal dispute with Tottenham and League One side Leyton Orient.

Hammers vice-chairman Karren Brady, O's chairman Barry Hearn and UK Athletics chief Ed Warner have been quoted as saying that their individual aims remain the same - to get the best outcome possible for each of their clubs and the UK Athletics 'legacy'.

But what does it mean for the clubs involved? And why has has the situation come to this point? BBC Sport correspondent Gordon Farquhar explains:

Q. How have we arrived at this situation?

A. Essentially, because of an anonymous complaint to the European Commission. The possibility of a European Court legal challenge to the original bidding process proved to be the final straw for the Olympic Park Legacy company, already facing domestic High Court legal challenges from Spurs and Orient. The OPLC, whose job it is to get the best value for money for taxpayers from the Olympic investment, could see months or potentially years of uncertainty whilst the courts made their minds up, so they, along with the Government and London mayor's office, decided to pull the plug and start all over again.

Q. What happens now and what are the options?

A. Well, we're back to stage one, this time with a different plan. Now a rent-paying tenant will be sought, with the stadium to be kept in public ownership. That means all the debate last time about whether or not the track and warm-up area would be kept won't happen. It will be. The tenants will be offered a stadium in a suitable state for the purpose they intend to put it to. Of course, it's highly likely to be a football club - West Ham have already declared they'll be bidding, and Barry Hearn says Orient will be in the mix.

Tottenham have not indicated, but presumably they will not be interested as their vision for redeveloping the site was all about ownership and a complete redesign, and that possibility's not on offer this time. It would be a major surprise if the new tenant was not a football club, and frankly one that plays in claret and blue, but the rental proposal might pull in others interested in a multi-sport and concert use that can be made to pay its way. Like last time, the bidding process will have to be drafted and bids invited, with a process of assessment, and that will take a while.

Q. Is this embarrassing or damaging in any way to London/GB?

A. It doesn't look great that this issue will probably not be resolved until just a couple of months out from the start of the games. After all the talk at bid time of legacy, not to have secured a clear one for the stadium at this point is an uncomfortable reality for the stakeholder. This does, however, remove any uncertainty about the 2017 London World Athletics Championship bid, ahead of the decision in November, so that will be seen as a 'good thing'. Politicians and organisers will also argue that previous games have failed to grasp the legacy nettle at all, and it's better to spend time and a little sweat now making the right decision than getting to the end of the games with a bunch of facilities that no-one wants to use, like Athens, and having to face justifiable criticism. Clearly, they'll have to take this on the chin for now, but history might not judge them too unkindly.

Q. Will the taxpayer be hit in any way?

A. The taxpayer already has in the sense that the stadium's costing so much to build. There's a lot of money going idle if this situation cannot be resolved. We do know that the annual running costs of the stadium are estimated to be in the region of £5m. The tenants will be expected to pay an economically realistic rent for their use, and presumably there will be some freedom for the landlords to stage money generating events at the stadium outside of the football season. Politicians say there will not be an impact, and the re-development of the stadium will be paid for by public to public funding with no net impact on taxpayers.

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Posted in: London 2012 Olympic,London 2012 Olympics,London 2012 Olympics Tickets

£10m deal makes Stratford City official Olympic shopping mall

Europe's largest urban shopping mall will get an Olympic makeover using the London 2012 brand and logo.

Its Australian owners hope the exclusive marketing rights will give the development a boost when it opens next Tuesday.

In return, Games organiser Locog has secured floorspace in the 1.9million sq ft centre which forms a gateway to the Olympic Park. An official merchandise store will open next month and will be crucial to London 2012 reaching its target of raising £80 million through sales of licensed products.

Locog, which will employ 200,000 people at next summer's peak, will also use the mall as an operational and logistics hub by taking over the 3,000-space car park and setting up temporary offices. The mall will also host the official hospitality zone for Team GB.

Westfield has handed over cash for part of the deal but the largest part is believed to be "value-in-kind" use of the shopping centre.

Games chiefs commonly sign licensing deals with retail chains but it is thought to be the first time a shopping centre has bought official Olympic status.

Three quarters of Olympic spectators will be routed through the mall, passing along the tree-lined Chestnut Plaza before entering security checks.

Separate to the deal, Locog has taken the 600-plus rooms in Stratford City's three hotels, the Holiday Inn, Premier Inn and Stalybridge Rooms. The deal with Westfield takes Locog to its £700million domestic sponsorship target with revenues going towards the £2billion-plus cost of the Games.

Locog chief executive Paul Deighton said: "With Westfield Stratford City on the doorstep of the Olympic Park and set to be a major destination for athletes and spectators alike at Games-time, it is an obvious and perfect fit."

Michael Gutman, managing director for Westfield UK/Europe and New Markets, said: "We are delighted to be extending our relationship with Locog."

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Posted in: London 2012 Olympic,London 2012 Olympic Coins,London 2012 Olympic Games,London 2012 Olympics,London 2012 Olympics Online,London 2012 Olympics Tickets

London 2012 Paralympic Games tickets now on sale

In the UK and within the EU, people can apply for tickets online between 9am on 9 September and 6pm on 26 September 2011.

Approximately two million tickets will go on sale to the public between now and Games time, with 1.5 million being available in this first phase.

A third of tickets are priced at £5, half of tickets priced at £10 or less and three quarters of tickets are £20 or less. As with Olympic Games tickets, the system is not first come, first served and there is no advantage to applying earlier in the process.

Tickets for oversubscribed sessions will be allocated via a ballot. Payment will be taken by 31 October 2011 with notification of whether applications have been successful sent by 18 November 2011.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG), commented: 'The Paralympic Games are coming home in 2012 and I’m confident that the whole country will get behind them. People will have the chance to see sport like never before, with world class athletes who challenge the notion of 'disability'; it’s a huge opportunity for Paralympic sport to become part of the nation’s consciousness and finally, it will be a moment of extraordinary pride.'

Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee, said: 'Those who buy tickets for London 2012 will see sport like never before, featuring incredible athletes participating in incredible sport. These Games are an opportunity to drive societal change and create a legacy for this country that was first started in 1948 at Stoke Mandeville.'

Different types of tickets

In total there will be over 300 sessions across the 20 Paralympic sports at 20 venues. Day passes will be available exclusively for the Paralympic Games, enabling spectators to see a range of sports taking place in the Olympic Park, ExCeL or The Royal Artillery Barracks on that day on a general admission basis.

A Group Organiser scheme has also been created which will see large groups receive additional tickets at no extra charge.

Truly accessible Games

LOCOG is also committed to making sure that the London 2012 Games will be the most accessible possible and that everyone has the opportunity to be involved. A variety of schemes have been announced including the ‘Ticketcare’ scheme, which will enable any successful ticket applicant with high dependency care needs to apply for an additional ticket for their carer or Personal Assistant.

Tickets for the London 2012 Paralympic Games are now on sale around the world.

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Posted in: London 2012,London 2012 Olympic,London 2012 Olympic Games,London 2012 Olympics,London 2012 Olympics Online,London 2012 Olympics Tickets,London 2012 Stadium,London 2012 Ticket Sales,London 2012 Tickets

How to apply for tickets for the Paralympic Games

Many of us were caught out by the huge demand for tickets for next year’s London Olympics events. The good news is that from today, you can apply for tickets to the London 2012 Paralympic Games. This takes place immediately after the main Olympics in the same venues, so you’ll be able to enjoy the excitement of this once-in-a-lifetime event at the same iconic London 2012 arenas and Olympic venues.

Applications for tickets to the Paralympic Games 2012 are open from today until 6pm on 26 September. Tickets will be allocated on a lottery basis. Successful applications will be notified and payment taken by 31 October.

To apply, you need to create a London 2012 Ticketing account at http://www.tickets.london2012.com/.com. In order to be able to apply via the UK ticketing service you need to be at least 16 years of age and have a valid Visa card with which to pay for your tickets. The Visa card must be valid until at least 31 October 2011 so payments can be processed. You also need to be resident in the UK or one of the designated European Union countries listed at http://www.tickets.london2012.com/eligibility_p2.html

Anyone resident elsewhere needs to apply for tickets through the National Olympic Committee website of the country where they live.

Assuming you are eligible to apply for tickets via the London 2012 Tickets website, press the ‘Click to get started’. Read through the details of eligibility before pressing the Apply Now lozenge. Note that you’ll be able to choose between a general access day pass or for seats to a specific Paralympic Games event. Tickets for some events also include day pass access to the Olympic site.

Fill out the registration information requested and submit your application. A temporary password will be generated. Once you’ve received this by email, use it to log in to the site and change the password to something more memorable. The current status of your applications will be shown.

Click on 'Apply for London 2012 Paralympics tickets now'. You’ll now see a dropdown list of venues, sports and dates. Decide the events or venues for which you’d like to apply for tickets and click Search to find further details and pricing.

Select a date and session that suits, then scroll down to specify the number of tickets you’d like and the price band. Click Select to add them to your account. You can add further ticket applications now or at a later date, but you will only be able to submit one application using your London 2012 Ticketing account. Paper applications are also accepted, but instead not in addition to the online application. You can apply for Paralympics Games tickets at any point from today until 6pm on 26 September. As with applications for the main London 2012 Olympics tickets, applications for oversubscribed events will be subject to a ballot (lottery).

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Posted in: London 2012,London 2012 Olympic,London 2012 Olympics,London 2012 Olympics Online,London 2012 Olympics Tickets,London 2012 Ticket Sales,London 2012 Tickets,Paralympic 2012,Paralympic Olympics,Paralympic Tickets

Join us as we count down to London 2012

Haverhill Paralympian and London 2012 hopeful Caroline Maclean

Published on Friday 22 July 2011 11:30

The clock has been ticking down to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games ever since International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge made the dramatic announcement at 12.49pm on Wednesday, July 6, 2005.

But after years of preparation, just 52 weeks will remain next Friday before the torch is lit and the curtain rises on the Games of the XXX Olympiad.

Over the next year, the Haverhill Echo will be guiding you through the build up to the “greatest show on earth” as Great Britain hosts its first Olympics since London 1948.

A number of gold medal hopefuls will be hoping to reach the top of the podium on home soil, including Paralympian Caroline Maclean — who will be hoping to compete at her fourth Games.

But we will be bringing you a range of Olympic and Paralympic updates and information, from our local medal hopefuls to where you can participate in a range of sports that will be featured at the Games.

We also want to hear your 2012 stories.

Were you lucky enough to receive the best seats in the Olympic Stadium for the 100m final?

Have you been involved in putting the Games together?

Or will you have a role to play when the best athletes in the world reach our shores next summer?

Whatever your Olympic story is, we would like to hear it.

Contact us by writing to: Olympic Stories, Sports Desk, Haverhill Echo, 7 Queen’s Square, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 9EG.

Altervatively, email: sport@haverhillecho.co.uk or call the sports desk on 01440 764004.

Olympic Headlines

Open water swimmer Keri-Ann Payne becomes the first Brit to qualify for the 2012 Games.

The 23-year-old won gold at the Fina World Championships 10k event.

Great Britain’s track and field team will not be allowed to attend the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium.

UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee told the BBC: “It doesn’t fit in the professional preparation for the biggest event of your life.”

For all the latest sport see yesterday’s (Thursday, July 21) Echo.

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Posted in: London 2012,London 2012 Olympic,London 2012 Olympic Coins,London 2012 Olympic Games,London 2012 Olympics,London 2012 Olympics Online,London 2012 Olympics Tickets

London 2012 Olympics evangelist: Steve Wages

Lay Witnesses for Christ International’s Board of Directors have unanimously endorsed its Presidents’ (Dr. Sam Mings, Sr.) recommendation to invite Steve Wages to serve as one of seven Evangelism Directors during Lay Witnesses for Christ International’s (LWFCI) ‘Bridging the Gap 2012 London~England Olympic Outreach.’

The XXX Olympiad will be LWFCI’s 8th Summer Olympic Outreach and is projected to have its largest ever team, a ministry known as Chaplains to the World’s Olympians.

Pastor Steve Wages is a sixth generation preacher, married to Kim with a son, Noah. Steve Wages is the founder and senior pastor of New Beginnings Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida. He leads this thriving, exciting and mission-minded congregation with a pedigree in preaching revival.

Press Service International's Mark Tronson put these questions to Steve Wages.

What led you to join with lWFCI and the Dr Mings team?

This is totally a GOD-thing. My dear friend, Evangelist Frank Shelton, suggested once in passing, that I should consider joining the LWFCI London team. At the time, I honestly did not give it any more consideration. But, after putting it before the Lord in prayer, the Lord connected Dr. Ming and myself, and once I spoke with him, and sensed his heart for evangelism, I knew within my heart God wanted to me to be a part of this soul-saving ministry.

How do you see yourself & or your ministry making a difference at the XXX Olympiad in London?

In all honesty, there is only ONE person that can make a difference at the XXX Olympic Games in London, and that is Jesus Christ. My involvement makes little difference, but His atonement makes ALL the difference. I have learned that although God does need us, He doesn’t have to use us. He will always have a person to “stand in the gap and make up the hedge,” with me or without me. None of us are indispensable, but what an honour and privilege when He allows us opportunities to be an ambassador for Christ. Without Him, I can’t. Without us, He won’t. He has chosen the likes of sinners saved by grace to reconcile others to Himself. When I arrive in London, I'll be a sinner telling other sinners where to find salvation.

Growing up years, conversion and Christian development

My late father the Reverend Walt Wagers (mum Eva) raised the family in the church and I never knew anything else. It wasn't until I was 18 years of age and a college freshman (1st year) on August 10, 1985 that I personally gave my life to Jesus Christ. I loved basketball and played at collegiate levels including some international competition. I likewise received numerous awards both athletically and academically.

In October 1988, I answered the call of God upon my life to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. I entered full-time Christian service as an associate pastor in 1992, and entered the pastorate in 1995 serving churches in Virginia, South Carolina and Florida. In August 2009, the Lord led me to start New Beginnings Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida. I graduated in 1990 from Butler University, and also attended Moody Bible College.

Preparation on UK ministry

My main desire is to be used of God to reach souls for Christ. I believe my athletic background provides me with an open door to many of the athletes, as I can relate to where some of them are in their walks of life and can introduce Jesus to them where they are. I am astutely aware that I cannot do anything without divine empowerment; thus, I am asking that God will grant myself, as well as the entire LWFCI team a fresh anointing and outpouring of His Spirit to be His hands, His feet and His voice.

Strategic thinking on evangelism

Vance Havner said, “For a Christian to say he’s going to major on evangelism, is like a railway company saying they’re going to major on transportation.” Every Christian is to be an evangelist, as well as evangelistic. Jesus came to “seek and to save.” We are to “Sow” and to “Share.” It is no accident that the first two letters of God are the word “GO!” Heaven is sweet, hell is sure, and time is short to let people know that God is love and Jesus Saves. Evangelism is God’s method of reaching the world that He died for, and I’m honoured to be one of the beggars telling other beggars where to find the Bread of Life.

Prayers and dreams for the Olympics and possibly next time in Rio...?

Words cannot express the gratitude that floods my soul for this amazing opportunity of Kingdom business. What an amazing platform for evangelism the Olympic games provide, and I thank God for the vision Dr. Ming, and the LWFCI team have in reaching champion athletes for Christ. I pray that God will reach the greatest harvest ever reached at the 2012 Olympiad in London in the evangelism of sinners, the exhortation of saints, and most of all, the exaltation of the Saviour.

Bridging the Gap – London 2012 – Chaplains to the World's Olympians

Dr Sam Mings explained that Steve Wages is part of the strongest LWFCI Olympic Ministry ever and with Robin Rees leading the team effort, the Churches are stepping forward to embrace Lay Witnesses for Christ International's eighth Summer Olympic Outreach.

Dr Sam Mings said: “Going to the Olympic host cities Churches is a core aspect of our ministry in order that every convert to Christ are linked into local fellowships (churches), and these people will speak as their testimony what God did in their midst in London 2012.

“We receive mail and e-mails, sometimes years later, how the Lord touched their lives through a LWFCI outreach. Over these past 33 years, we believe that no force can pluck “one” out of the hand of the Heavenly Father when someone has truly been born again.”

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Posted in: London 2012 Olympic,London 2012 Olympics,London 2012 Olympics Online,London 2012 Olympics Tickets

Calum chosen as BT storyteller for London 2012 Olympic Games

DUMFRIESSHIRE’S Calum Graham has secured a dream ticket to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The council sports development officer with leisure and sport Annandale and Eskdale has beaten thousands of hopefuls to become a coveted BT Olympic storyteller.

BT is a partner for the London 2012 Olympic Games and the communications giant launched a competition to find members of the public to help chronicle the story of the Olympic and Paralympic Games from one-year-to-go right through to Games-time.

It means the 38-year-year-old, who lives in Canonbie, will have to submit stories, tweets, photos, film clips and blogs for publication on a dedicated website from July 27 this year, to help mark one year to go to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

And Calum says it will be a “labour of love!”

On July 14 he is being flown to London on all all-expenses paid trip which includes a champagne dinner with the British Olympics Team and Lord Seb Coe, chairman of the London 2012 organising committee.

He will get a tour of the Olympic Park and Village and ride on the athletes javelin train, as well as being briefed on his amazing year ahead.

Calum said: “I am absolutely thrilled. Hundreds of thousands of people applied to be a BT storyteller and I can’t believe I have been chosen.

“I have a lot of friends who applied for tickets to see some of the events and were unable to get them. Now I am going to be right there in the thick of action and reporting on it. And it is not going to cost me a penny. Fantastic!”

Only 15 people have been selected as BT Olympic storytellers and Calum is one of two from Scotland.

He said: “I’ll learn more on July 14 but I know that I will have to attend a number of cultural and sports events in the run up to the Games. Then I get to report on three sports events at the Olympics and Paralympics and the opening ceremonies. I have chosen track and field, swimming and the Velodrome cycling so I am hoping that they are what I get to cover. I am really looking forward to meeting the Olympians and seeing them in action – particularly Chris Hoy.

“There will be celebrities as well as athletes at next week’s event and there are a number of celebrity fellow storytellers including Duran Duran duo Simon Le Bon and Nick Rhodes.”

Calum has been involved in sports development in the region since 1992 and founded the award-winning Annandale and Eskdale Sports and Leisure Trust which has seen hundreds of children try their hand at sports led by top coaches.

Some of the youngsters in the sports academy are now representing Scotland and national and international level.

And he says he hopes to share his experiences of the Olympics and Paralympics with children in Annandale and Eskdale.

He is a former striker with Carlisle United FC and among his best footballing moments was playing against a Manchester United team that included Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, and Gary Neville. Until he was forced out of the game with a knee injury, he also played against Roy Keane and Stuart Pearce.

He said: “If pushed I would say my favourite sport is football but get the most satisfaction now of giving children the opportunity to try almost every sport known. In particular taking a full bus to Dunbar for a day’s surfing with the Scottish Surfing Champion at the end of the month.”

The London 2012 Olympic games run from July 27 to August 12 next year and Paralympic Games from August 29 to September 9.

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Posted in: London 2012,London 2012 Olympic,London 2012 Olympics,London 2012 Olympics Tickets,London 2012 Ticket Sales,London 2012 Tickets

More London 2012 Olympic tickets go on sale

Existing ticket holders for the London 2012 Olympic Games are being offered a second chance to more seats for a limited number of events.

Those who won tickets in the initial first round ballot can buy tickets for football, volleyball and freestyle wrestling from today.

While football makes up the majority of the offering, with 1.5 million tickets on sale, there are also 40,000 volleyball and 8,000 wrestling places available.

Tickets will be on offer until July 17th, with 700,000 potential buyers being sent emails from today.

In total more than 3.5 million Olympic tickets have now been sold, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Locog) confirmed.

The available tickets for football, volleyball and freestyle wrestling cover 58 sessions and 130 price categories. All other sports have no availability.

A full list of available sessions and price categories have been published on the official 2012 website.

City.Mobi

Also in Europe today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to London.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

London.Mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.

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Posted in: 2012 London Olympic,2012 London Olympics,London 2012,London 2012 Olympic,London 2012 Olympics Tickets,London 2012 Ticket Sales,London 2012 Tickets,London Olympic 2012,London Olympics 2012,London Olympics 2012 Tickets,London Olympics Tickets

London 2012 Celebrates 500 Days To Go As Tickets Go On Sale

©LOCOG

London 2012 began its 500-days-to-go celebrations yesterday with the unveiling of the OMEGA countdown clock in Trafalgar Square. As official timekeeper for the London 2012 Games, OMEGA has provided a large countdown clock that will allow Londoners to see the days, hours, minutes and seconds until London’s big day on 27 July 2012 – the day of the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. In addition, Olympic tickets have also gone on sale around the world, with sports and Olympic fans now able to apply to see the world’s best athletes compete at the Games.

The Greatest Tickets on Earth

Described by London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) Chairman Sebastian Coe as the “greatest tickets on earth”, now is your chance to apply for tickets to the London 2012 Olympic Games. UK and residents of designated European countries can apply through London 2012’s ticketing website at any time during the 42-day application period. It is not a first-come, first-served system within the UK, so take your time and decide which events you want to try and attend with your family and friends. Fans living outside the UK (including in the designated European countries) will be able to apply for tickets through their local National Olympic Committee (NOC) and/or its Authorised Ticket Reseller (ATR). Sales processes may vary according to territory, so fans are encouraged to contact their NOC and/or local ATR for more details. We are proud to work with Worldwide TOP Partner Visa as the exclusive payment services provider.

Be There

Summing up what fans can expect in 2012, LOCOG Chairman Coe said, “London will be a fantastic place to be in the summer of 2012, with a unique atmosphere, and we look forward to welcoming the world to our city and to the UK. There is a huge range of tickets available, to see the best athletes in the world competing. My message is simple – be there.”

Counting Down

The OMEGA countdown clock was unveiled by four Olympic gold medallists from Team GB - rowers Pete Reed and Andy Hodge and sailors Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson. It stands 6.5 metres high, is 5 metres long and weighs around 4 tonnes. Its design reflects the look of the Games, with the beams of light on the clock being inspired by London and its connection with the Meridian Line in Greenwich, the home of time. The final countdown has now well and truly begun for those athletes looking to be at the London Games in 500 days’ time.

LONDON 2012

London was elected as the host city for the Games of the XXX Olympiad on 6 July 2005 at the 117^th IOC Session in Singapore. London eventually succeeded in the fourth round of voting, taking 54 votes from a possible 104. London faced stiff opposition during the vote from the other four candidate cities: Paris, New York, Moscow and Madrid. There will be 26 sports on the Olympic programme in London in 2012 and around 10,500 athletes.

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Posted in: London 2012,London 2012 Olympic Games,London 2012 Olympics,London 2012 Olympics Tickets

Olympics-London 2012 still has 1.5 million soccer seats to fill

Some 1.5 million Olympic soccer tickets remained unsold on Sunday after the end of the first phase of London 2012's 'second-chance' offering in Britain.

Organisers said the only tickets still available were for men's and women's soccer matches, volleyball and freestyle wrestling.

The soccer tickets were always going to be the hardest to shift, with 1.7 million of them available before the second round of sales kicked off on June 24.

Fans wanting to sample the London 2012 atmosphere have snapped up tickets to anything in the Olympic Park itself but many of the soccer matches are being held in stadiums hundreds of kilometres from the capital.

While Britain intends to enter a united team for the first time since 1960, the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish associations have opposed their players taking part.

Organisers said tickets remained for matches in Coventry, Cardiff, Glasgow, Newcastle and Manchester as well as London's Wembley Stadium.

The second-chance offering allowed more than a million fans who failed to land tickets in an initial ballot in March and April to try again on a first-come, first-served basis.

More than 750,000 tickets had been sold to nearly 150,000 successful applicants in that second phase, organisers said. More than 3.5 million tickets have been sold in total in Britain.

The next phase starting on July 8 and ending on July 17 will give a second chance to the 700,000 applicants who managed to buy at least some tickets in the ballot.

Apart from the soccer, there will be some 40,000 tickets still up for grabs for sessions of the men's and women's volleyball at the cavernous Earls Court arena and 8,000 seats for the wrestling.

A quarter of the two-billion-pound ($3.2-billion) operating budget for the staging of the Games is expected to come from ticket sales, including those to corporate sponsors.

Of the total 6.6 million tickets earmarked for the British public, more than a million have been withheld for contingency reasons and will go on sale next year once venues have been tested and licensed. ($1 = 0.626 British Pounds)

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Posted in: 2012 London Olympic,London 2012,London 2012 Olympic,London 2012 Olympics,London 2012 Olympics Tickets,London 2012 Tickets,Olympics London 2012

London 2012 declare second ballot a success after 750,000 tickets sold

London 2012 revealed today that more than 750,000 Olympic tickets have been sold to nearly 150,000 successful applicants in the "second chance" sales round which closed at 6pm today.

The start of the second of ticket sales, which began on June 24 on a first-come, first-served basis, was open exclusively to applicants who did not receive any tickets in the first round sale which took place earlier this year between March 15 and April 26.

The exclusive second round sale was open for ten-day window but has now ended.

The next phase will see ticket sales open to the 700,000 applicants who were successful in all or part of their ticket applications in the first round sale.

It will open on July 8 at 6am and close on July 17 at 6pm but only football, volleyball and freestyle wrestling tickets remain with all other sports sold out.

"We now have at least 150,000 more successful applicants - and they and their friends and families are now going to the Games," said London 2012 commercial director Chris Townsend.

"Our goal is to get as many members of the British public to the Games as possible and we have sold over 750,000 tickets to people who were unsuccessful in the first round." In total, more than 3.5 million Olympic tickets have now been sold and around 850,000 successful applications have been made for tickets with less than two million tickets remaining.

Around 1.5 million football tickets remain for men's and women's matches at Wembley Stadium, City of Coventry Stadium, Millenium Stadium, Hampden Park, St James Park and Old Trafford. Meanwhile there are around 40,000 volleyball tickets are available for men's and women's volleyball sessions at Earls Court and around 8,000 freestyle wrestling tickets are available for sessions at the ExCel Arena.

Over 130 price categories across 58 sessions are still available with a full list of available sessions and price categories will be published this week on www.tickets.london2012.com.

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Posted in: London 2012,London 2012 Olympic,London 2012 Olympics,London 2012 Olympics Online,London 2012 Olympics Tickets,London 2012 Ticket Sales,London 2012 Tickets

London 2012 Olympics test event blog: familiar and disconcerting

"Look at the view!" I exclaimed, halfway up a hill on a London Olympic test event cross-country course walk this afternoon.

In truth, my pause was mainly an excuse to have a rest on the steep slope, but turning back, we were rewarded with a stunning look across London to the O2 and the main Olympic stadium.

There were times this afternoon — the first day of action at the equestrian test event, if you can call a horse inspection action — when we could have been at Any Championship, Anywhereville. I was lucky enough to go to the test event in Hong Kong for the 2008 Olympics — don't worry, there wasn't a breakdown in the H&H expenses policy, the Hong Kong Tourist Board paid — and I remember having the same feeling there, as familiar face after familiar face appeared.

Today, even the weather conspired to make me think I might be abroad. With the conditions sunny and later humid, I wondered at times if I had returned to Hong Kong, or perhaps been transported back to last year's Kentucky World Equestrian Games. With my accreditation hung round my neck, officials in matching T-shirts and a mix of top event riders and those from the lesser nations, it had the familiar championship feel.

Having all this in London is both reassuring — I laughed today when someone asked where we were staying, as Wandsworth is home — and somehow disorientating. I've never been to a horse trials courtesy of Oyster Card.

There were moments when we were firmly reminded we were in London. Walking the course, by far the most picturesque fence is number five, a banana-shaped construction painted blue with gold stars (left). Horses jump over it, seemingly into the already famous view down to Queen's House and the City beyond. No prizes for guessing what will be the most photographed fence at the test event.

This afternoon's trot-up did show more "action" than most — four horses held, of which one, Sweden's Jedi Dancer, ridden by Dag Albert, was spun. He'll certainly be hoping for better luck next year.

The Brits field a crack team of riders — William Fox-Pitt, Piggy French and Pippa Funnell (Pippa and Piggy pictured below right exercising Billy Shannon and DHI Topper W this afternoon), although obviously not on their top horses for this CIC** event. This is unusual for a test event, but everyone wants to try a piece of Greenwich and it would certainly be a feel-good boost for the home team to go into the Olympics off a test event win, albeit unofficial as there isn't actually a team contest.

I'll be in the office tomorrow — again, it's weird to have a day at my desk before nipping back to the event on Tuesday and Wednesday — but two other H&H staffers, Catherine Austen and Charlotte White, head to Greenwich to scout out what's happening for the magazine and website, so stick with us to find out how the "London Prepares" equestrian test event goes.

View cross-country course pictures

More from the test event in H&H, issues 7th and 14th July.

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Posted in: London 2012 Olympic,London 2012 Olympics,London 2012 Olympics Online,London 2012 Olympics Tickets

London 2012 Olympics: Men scoop 100m final tickets

Two Londoners will be the envy of many 2012 Olympics fans after both got the only tickets they applied for - seats at the men's 100m final.

Tim Fuell, 36, from Hillingdon, will be watching the 2012 Games' showpiece event with his wife and twin daughters.

Anant Bhadreshwara, 23, a graphics designer from Harrow, north-west London, also got lucky.

More than a million people tried for tickets to the event, which Usain Bolt is favourite to win.

The pair, who do not know each other, live about six miles apart.

Many people who submitted requests in the first round of applications have received only a small number of tickets and some will receive none.

Those who successfully applied for multiple events will be told by 24 June which tickets they have been allocated.

Mr Fuell said he was looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, east London, as well as the chance to witness the likes of Bolt run.

"I was not really confident that I would get the tickets," he said.

"There is probably more chance of being struck twice by lightning in the same day."

An "overwhelmed" Mr Bhadreshwara also got tickets to the final, despite applying for that event only.

He said: "My enthusiasm for the 100m only really grew after I saw Usain Bolt in the media. It'll be great to see him live."

Mr Bhadreshwara got the cheapest tickets available - which still work out at just under £5 a second for the 100m dash.

The current world record for the 100m, set by reigning Olympic champion Bolt, is 9.58 seconds.

Prices for 100m final tickets ranged between £50 and £725.

About 40,000 tickets were made available for the final at the Olympic Stadium on 5 August next year.

Mr Fuell, who also managed to get the cheapest tickets, said he had no plans to sell them.

"I have had people suggest I should cash in on them but it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he said.

Source
BBC NEWS LONDON

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Posted in: London 2012,London 2012 Olympic,London 2012 Olympics,London 2012 Olympics Online,London 2012 Olympics Tickets,London 2012 Ticket Sales,London 2012 Tickets

London 2012 Olympics: Locog needs to come clean on Games tickets

Anyone else on the Olympic ticket emotional rollercoaster?

One day I was overwhelmed with buyer remorse, panicking that my order was rather over-ambitious and over-extended.

The next day I was feeling all smug – safe in the knowledge that I did  the right thing by picking out cycling, swimming, the men’s 100m final – for they are the truly must have tickets.

The day of reckoning is nigh for all of us. In the next few days the London 2012 Olympic Games organisers will be either ripping money out of my account or leaving it alone. Either way I win.

It’s tickets or a non-overdrawn account.

On the upside I can see where Locog has tried to be fair – offering a ballot system for the oversubscribed sessions, rather than favouring the computer experts able to manipulate systems to score the best seats in a first in best dressed system.

But there are plenty of twists in this particular ride. I still can’t fathom why they can’t tell us what we have secured at the same time as taking the money out.

They surely know what sessions have been allocated to each applicant in order take the money, so why the time lag and secrecy for another month?

Surely it’s not to create a massive sense of disappointment and a collective frenzy from those who missed out to sell the remaining less attractive seats?

Wouldn’t it have been simplier for Locog to give out ticket information as they process batches of orders, rather than have one big email-out on or before June 24?

Adding to the sudden drop in confidence is all purchasers have to wait an entire year to find out exactly where their seating will be in any venue, let alone a seat number.

How can Locog sell the tickets, yet claim it hasn’t finalised the seating plans?. How can Locog take the money, yet maintain we should trust them in dividing the venue into broadly equal divisions of categories?

After the Sydney Olympic Games ticket ballot it emerged that the organisers had just 14 ‘A’ category seats for sale to the Australian public to a diving final.

So Locog, come clean. How many A, B, C and D category tickets are for sale in each of the velodrome final sessions, or the opening ceremony, or the swim finals?

It is not good enough to be told a vague meaningless statistic that there are more than a million ticket orders for the men’s 100m final.

I am more interested in understanding that I had a realistic chance of getting a seat, and that the ballot system wasn’t simply bait advertising.

Such information is not commercially sensitive. It is about respecting the consumer – the people that are handing over £500 million to buy the tickets – and being a transparent organisation.

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Posted in: London 2012 Olympic,London 2012 Olympic Coins,London 2012 Olympic Games,London 2012 Olympics,London 2012 Olympics Online,London 2012 Olympics Tickets

London 2012 announces Paralympic Games ticket prices

The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) today published its prices for Paralympic Games tickets, with more than half of the two million tickets available priced at £10 or less. More than 95 per cent of the tickets will be priced at £50 or less, with 75 per cent at £20 or less. Tickets for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies start at £20.12, with a top price of £500 for the Opening Ceremony.

The Paralympic Games takes place between 29 August and 9 September 2012, with 20 sports taking place at 19 venues. Tickets go on sale on the London 2012 ticketing website from 9 September 2011, with applications accepted until 30 September.

Ticketing initiatives
A number of ticketing initiatives have been designed to make the Games as accessible as possible for all spectators.

'Group Organiser' tickets are available in sessions with a ticket limit of 20 or more, and will allow groups who apply for 20 tickets or more per session to receive additional tickets at no extra charge. A Group Organiser applying for 20 tickets would receive two extra tickets at no extra charge, an application of 30 tickets would receive 33 tickets, and so on up to a Group Organiser applying for 50 tickets receiving a total of 55 tickets.

Special day passes have also been developed which will enable ticket holders to see a range of sports in the Olympic Park or at ExCeL on that day on a general admission basis.

Tickets for spectators who will be under 16 or over 60 on 29 August 2012 will start from just £5, while a London Travelcard is included within the price of tickets for the day of the event.

LOCOG CEO Paul Deighton commented: 'The Paralympic Games will light up London with quite simply brilliant sport next year.

'The UK is the spiritual home of the Paralympic movement and with superb medal prospects for ParalympicsGB, we believe that the British public will come out in their thousands to watch.

'We have created a fair pricing structure, which we hope will encourage people to come along and create fantastic atmospheres at our venues.'

Wheelchair spaces will be available in all price categories for every Paralympic sport, and the price of these tickets will include a companion seat next to it. Applicants who are deaf or have a hearing impairment, visually impaired people or people with limited mobility can indicate additional requirements.

The London 2012 ‘Ticketcare’ scheme will also feature, whereby any successful ticket applicant with high dependency care needs can apply for an additional ticket for their carer or PA.

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Posted in: 2012 London Olympic,2012 London Olympics,2012 olympics travel packages,London 2012 Olympic,London 2012 Olympic Games,London 2012 Olympics Tickets,London 2012 Ticket Sales,London 2012 Tickets

London 2012 announces Brands Hatch as Paralympic Road Cycling venue

Brands Hatch, near Sevenoaks in Kent, will host the Paralympic Road Cycling events, incorporating the Road Race and Time Trial, from 5-8 September 2012.

LOCOG Chair Seb Coe, Paralympic gold medallist Rachel Morris and Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of MotorSport Vision, celebrate the announcement at Brands Hatch

The riders will race round a course that passes through the county of Kent and the district of Sevenoaks in Kent. The former F1 Grand Prix circuit at Brands Hatch will be the base for approximately half of the course including the start and finish. The remaining race will take place on local roads nearby.

This announcement marks the final venue to be confirmed for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and pays homage to Brands Hatch’s cycling routes, as it first developed in the 1920s as a grass track cycle racing venue.
The course was chosen after extensive consultation with the relevant local authorities and stakeholders to find a route that will provide an outstanding experience for both athletes and spectators. It will also allow LOCOG to use much of the existing venue infrastructure at Brands Hatch and is within approximately one hour’s travel time of the Athletes’ Village on the Olympic Park.
Requirements for the Paralympic Road Cycling course are very precise – the course has to be suitable and challenging for a wide variety of disability groups. The requirements are based on a loop course of 7-10km, which is completed a different number of times based on the event distance.

Approximately 25 per cent of the course is uphill sections of not more than six per cent gradient and the route includes some challenging bends or technical sections, while the road width is adequate to allow for bunch sprints in the finish straight.
During the London 2012 Paralympic Games there will be 32 Road Cycling events for men and women with a range of disabilities including visual impairments, cerebral palsy and amputations competing on bicycles, tricycles, tandems and hand cycles.
The events will be ticketed in large part, but part of the route will be free for spectators to line the route providing a fantastic way of watching high profile action. Tickets will cost £10 and there will also be Special Price tickets available (£5 for young people aged 16 and under and seniors aged 60 and over) as well as Group Organiser tickets for large groups which will see them receive additional tickets at no extra cost.

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Posted in: London 2012,London 2012 Olympic,London 2012 Olympic Games,London 2012 Olympics Tickets,Paralympic 2012,Paralympic Olympics,Paralympic Tickets