Olympics - London 2012

[Sallydaisy]

http://www.andymurrayfanforum.com/images/olympics/London2012_banner.jpeg



The flame is ours .....
The Olympics are officially now the responsibility of London
and the people of Great Britain.



XXX Olympiad
For most of us the Olympics this summer will be a 'once in a lifetime' event. It's an opportunity to watch and support our own athletes on our own home turf. It's a time to be proud of what Britons achieve in their field of sporting excellence, cheer them on for all we're worth and celebrate when they win medals for the nation.

London holds the distinction of being the only city to host the Summer Olympics for the 3rd time.

After failed attempts by Birmingham (1992) and Manchester (1996/2000) to be nominated the decision was made to bid with London, given the clear indication that it was the only city in the UK that had a chance of being selected by the IOC when put up against other world cities in a competitive bidding process.

As a venue London already had some iconic sporting venues - Wembley, Wimbledon, Lords - and space to make way for a vast Olympic Arena and the accompanying peripherals required.

On 6 July 2005 the IOC awarded the rights to host the Games of the XXX Olympiad to London. The city beat the favourite (Paris 2012) on the fourth and final ballot 54 to 50 and will become the first city to host the Games three times.

The Olympic flame arrives in the UK today so we thought it was a great time to launch the Olympics forum because there's going to be lots to talk above over the next few weeks and months!!!

We'll add in more information to this thread over the next week so it's useful to those who want to watch, travel to the Olympic venues, follow the flame and learn more about the Olympics history.

There are threads for all the Olympic sports in this separate sub-forum.
Please chip in your comments and any related stories.



Let's hope we witness something very special as TeamGB go for Gold


http://www.andymurrayfanforum.com/images/olympics/London2012_white.png


London 2012 official website. (http://www.london2012.com/)
Visit London 2012 Olympics guide (http://www.visitlondon.com/london2012/)
Olympics history - wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Games), about.com (http://history1900s.about.com/od/fadsfashion/a/olympicshistory.htm),
The London bid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_bid_for_the_2012_Summer_Olympics) for the XXX'th Olympiad

The Paralympics website (http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/)

http://www.andymurrayfanforum.com/images/olympics/London2012_para.png

[KnightOwl]

http://www.andymurrayfanforum.com/images/olympics/London2012_pink_small.png


Olympic Sports - Dates & Venues




Sport
Dates
Venues


Archery
Fri 27 Jul – Fri 3 Aug
Lords Cricket Ground (http://www.london2012.com/venue/lords-cricket-ground), St John's Wood, London


Athletics
Fri 3 Aug – Sun 12 Aug
Olympic Stadium (http://www.london2012.com/venue/olympic-stadium), Olympic Park, London
The Mall (http://www.london2012.com/venue/the-mall), London


Badminton
Sat 28 Jul – Sun 5 Aug
Wembley Arena (http://www.london2012.com/venue/wembley-arena), Wembley, London


Basketball
Sat 28 Jul – Sun 12 Aug
Basketball Arena (http://www.london2012.com/venue/basketball-arena), Olympic Park, London
North Greenwich (O2) Arena (http://www.london2012.com/venue/north-greenwich-arena), Greenwich, London


Beach Volleyball
Sat 28 Jul – Thu 9 Aug
Horse Guards Parade (http://www.london2012.com/venue/horse-guards-parade), Whitehall, London


Boxing
Sat 28 Jul – Sun 12 Aug
ExCeL (http://www.london2012.com/venue/excel), Docklands, London


Canoe Slalom
Sun 29 Jul – Thu 2 Aug
Lee Valley White Water Centre (http://www.london2012.com/venue/lee-valley-white-water-centre), Hertfordshire


Canoe Sprint
Mon 6 Aug – Sat 11 Aug
Eton Dorney (http://www.london2012.com/venue/eton-dorney), Buckinghamshire


Cycling - BMX
Wed 8 Aug – Fri 10 Aug
BMX Track (http://www.london2012.com/venue/bmx-track), Olympic Park, London


Cycling - Mountain Bike
Sat 11 Aug – Sun 12 Aug
Hadleigh Farm (http://www.london2012.com/venue/hadleigh-farm), Castle Point, Essex


Cycling - Road
Sat 28 Jul (Men's Road)
Sun 29 Jul (Women's Road)
Wed 1 Aug (Time Trials)
The Mall (http://www.london2012.com/venue/the-mall), London (Road Races)

Hampton Court Palace (http://www.london2012.com/venue/hampton-court-palace), London (Time Trials)


Cycling - Track
Thu 2 Aug – Tue 7 Aug
Velodrome (http://www.london2012.com/venue/velodrome), Olympic Park, London


Diving
Sun 29 Jul – Sat 11 Aug
Aquatics Centre (http://www.london2012.com/venue/aquatics-centre), Olympic Park, London


Equestrian
Thu 2 Aug – Thu 9 Aug (Dressage)
Sat 28 Jul – Tue 31 Jul (Eventing)
Sat 4 Aug – Wed 8 Aug (Jumping)
Greenwich Park (http://www.london2012.com/venue/greenwich-park), Greenwich, London


Fencing
Sat 28 Jul – Sun 5 Aug
ExCeL (http://www.london2012.com/venue/excel), Docklands, London


Football
Wed 25 Jul – Sat 11 Aug
City of Coventry Stadium (http://www.london2012.com/venue/city-of-coventry-stadium) (Coventry)
Hampden Park (http://www.london2012.com/venue/hampden-park) (Glasgow)
Millennium Stadium (http://www.london2012.com/venue/millennium-stadium) (Cardiff)
Old Trafford (http://www.london2012.com/venue/old-trafford) (Manchester)
St James’ Park (http://www.london2012.com/venue/st-james-park) (Newcastle)
Wembley Stadium (http://www.london2012.com/venue/wembley-stadium) (London)



Gymnastics - Artistic
Sat 28 Jul – Tue 7 Aug
North Greenwich (O2) Arena (http://www.london2012.com/venue/north-greenwich-arena), Greenwich, London


Gymnastics - Rhythmic
Thu 9 – Sun 12 Aug
Wembley Arena (http://www.london2012.com/venue/wembley-arena), Wembley, London


Handball
Sat 28 Jul – Sun 12 Aug
Copper Box (http://www.london2012.com/venue/copper-box), Olympic Park, London
Basketball Arena (http://www.london2012.com/venue/basketball-arena), Olympic Park, London


Hockey
Sun 29 Jul – Sat 11 Aug
Riverbank Arena (http://www.london2012.com/venue/riverbank-arena), Olympic Park, London


Judo
Sat 28 Jul – Fri 3 Aug
ExCeL (http://www.london2012.com/venue/excel), Docklands, London


Modern Pentathlon
Sat 11 Aug – Sun 12 Aug
Copper Box (http://www.london2012.com/venue/copper-box), Olympic Park, London (Fencing)
Aquatics Centre (http://www.london2012.com/venue/aquatics-centre), Olympic Park, London (Swimming)
Greenwich Park (http://www.london2012.com/venue/greenwich-park), Greenwich, London (Other)


Rowing
Sat 28 Jul – Sat 4 Aug
Eton Dorney (http://www.london2012.com/venue/eton-dorney), Buckinghamshire


Sailing
Sun 29 Jul – Sat 11 Aug
Weymouth & Portland (http://www.london2012.com/venue/weymouth-and-portland), Dorset


Shooting
Sat 28 Jul – Mon 6 Aug
Royal Artillary Barracks (http://www.london2012.com/venue/the-royal-artillery-barracks), Woolwich, London


Swimming
Sat 28 Jul – Sat 4 Aug
Aquatics Centre (http://www.london2012.com/venue/aquatics-centre), Olympic Park, London


Synchronised Swimming
Sun 5 Aug - Fri 10 Aug
Aquatics Centre (http://www.london2012.com/venue/aquatics-centre), Olympic Park, London


Table Tennis
Sat 28 Jul – Wed 8 Aug
ExCeL (http://www.london2012.com/venue/excel), Docklands, London


Taekwondo
Wed 8 Aug – Sat 11 Aug
ExCeL (http://www.london2012.com/venue/excel), Docklands, London


Tennis
Sat 28 Jul – Sun 5 Aug
Wimbledon (http://www.london2012.com/venue/wimbledon), London


Trampoline
Fri 3 Aug – Sat 4 Aug
North Greenwich (O2) Arena (http://www.london2012.com/venue/north-greenwich-arena), Greenwich, London


Triathlon
Sat 4 Aug – Tue 7 Aug
Hyde Park (http://www.london2012.com/venue/hyde-park), London


Volleyball
Sat 28 Jul – Sun 12 Aug
Earls Court Exhibition Centre (http://www.london2012.com/venue/earls-court), Earls Court, London


Water Polo
Sun 29 Jul – Sun 12 Aug
Water Polo Arena (http://www.london2012.com/venue/water-polo-arena), Olympic Park, London


Weightlifting
Sat 28 Jul – Tue 7 Aug
ExCeL (http://www.london2012.com/venue/excel), Docklands, London


Wrestling
Sun 5 Aug – Sun 12 Aug
ExCeL (http://www.london2012.com/venue/excel), Docklands, London

[Sallydaisy]

http://www.andymurrayfanforum.com/images/olympics/London2012_green.png


Venues and Transport



The 2012 Summer Olympic City
Whilst there is a main Olympic Park (http://www.london2012.com/spectators/venues/olympic-park) with various stadiums, arenas and the Athletes Village a number of events will be held away from the centre of London and some, especially football, will be in venues across the country.

Here's a summary of those venues and the sports featured there.
They are listed by area and alphabetical by venue.
Transport information will be added later.

There is a separate schedule of events in the post above this.

London - Olympic Park
Stratford, East London is the central venue for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics in London.
Within the area there are several Olympic venues, listed below, together with the Olympic Village (http://www.london2012.com/venue/olympic-village).

Aquatics Centre (http://www.london2012.com/venue/aquatics-centre) - Diving, Swimming, Synchronised Swimming, Modern Pentathlon

Basketball Arena (http://www.london2012.com/venue/basketball-arena) - Basketball, Handball

BMX track (http://www.london2012.com/venue/bmx-track) - Cycling BMX

Copper Box (http://www.london2012.com/venue/copper-box)- Modern Pentathlon, Handball

Olympic Stadium (http://www.london2012.com/venue/olympic-stadium) - Athletics. Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Riverbank Arena (http://www.london2012.com/venue/riverbank-arena) - Hockey

Velodrome (http://www.london2012.com/venue/velodrome) - Cycling Track

Water Polo Arena (http://www.london2012.com/venue/water-polo-arena) - Water Polo


London - Other

Earls Court (http://www.london2012.com/venue/earls-court) ,London West - volleyball

Excel (http://www.london2012.com/venue/excel), London Docklands - Boxing, Fencing, Judo, Tabletennis, Taekwondo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

Greenwich Park (http://www.london2012.com/venue/greenwich-park), London South East - Equestrian, Modern Pentathlon

Hampton Court Palace (http://www.london2012.com/venue/hampton-court-palace), London West - Cycling

Horseguards Parade (http://www.london2012.com/venue/horse-guards-parade), London Central - Beach Volleyball

Hyde Park (http://www.london2012.com/venue/hyde-park), London Central - Triathlon, Swimming

Lee Valley White Water Centre (http://www.london2012.com/venue/lee-valley-white-water-centre), London East - Canoe Slalom

Lords Cricket Ground (http://www.london2012.com/venue/lords-cricket-ground), London Central - Archery

North Greenwich Arena (http://www.london2012.com/venue/north-greenwich-arena), London South - Artistic Gymnastics, Basketball, Trampoline

The Mall (http://www.london2012.com/venue/the-mall), London Central - Athletics, Cycling, Triathlon, Road Race

The Royal Artillery Barracks (http://www.london2012.com/venue/the-royal-artillery-barracks), London Central - Shooting

Wembley Arena (http://www.london2012.com/venue/wembley-arena), London North West - Badminton, Rhythmic Gymnastics

Wembley Stadium (http://www.london2012.com/venue/wembley-stadium), London North West - Football

Wimbledon (http://www.london2012.com/venue/wimbledon), London South West - Tennis


Rest of Great Britain

Box Hill (http://www.london2012.com/venue/box-hill), Surrey - Road Cycling

City of Coventry Stadium (http://www.london2012.com/venue/city-of-coventry-stadium)- football

Eton Dorney (http://www.london2012.com/venue/eton-dorney), Berkshire - Rowing, Canoe sprint

Hadleigh Farm (http://www.london2012.com/venue/hadleigh-farm), Essex - Cycling (Mountain Biking)

Hampden Park (http://www.london2012.com/venue/hampden-park), Glasgow - Football

Millenium Stadium (http://www.london2012.com/venue/millenium-stadium), Cardiff - Football

Old Trafford (http://www.london2012.com/venue/old-trafford), Manchester - Football

Surrey/London, (map (http://www.london2012.com/mm/Document/Documents/Venue/01/25/42/32/cycling-road-race-route_Neutral.pdf)) - Road Cycling Time Trial,

St James Park (http://www.london2012.com/venue/st-james-park), Newcastle Upon Tyne - Football

Weymouth and Portland (http://www.london2012.com/venue/weymouth-and-portland), Dorset, SW England - Sailing

[Sallydaisy]

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS7AQspAmM1HZVVSoZqPiO7r-suOLEQBH_mm0EkGY8T86oICJVRpu7Y0pQBFg

The Mascots
Introducing Wenlock and Mandeville .....




http://www.creativereview.co.uk/images/uploads/2010/05/mascotshome_0.jpg

They are animations supposedly depicting two drops of steel from a steelworks in Bolton where the girders for the Olympic stadium were produced. They have a metallic finish, single large eye representing a camera lens, a London Taxi light for hair and Olympic rings as friendship bracelets.

Wenlock, on the left, represents the main London 2012 Olympics event.
He's named after the small town of Much Wenlock which held a forerunner of the modern Olympic Games in 1850. The three points on his head represent the three places on the podium.

Mandeville is named after Stoke Mandeville hospital where a precursor of the Paralympic Games was first organised. His helmet-like head with three points coloured blue, red and green represents the agitos, the Paralympics Symbol.

They have their detractors but apparently appeal to their target market of youngsters aged 5-15. As part of the Olympics awareness they've been used in a series of short adventure films about the road to the Olympics.

When they're not in funky mode they look good in Union Jack outfits....

Find out more here (https://mascot-games.london2012.com/) and here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wenlock_and_Mandeville).



http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/05/20/article-1279736-09A7FFEB000005DC-301_634x429.jpg


All images courtesy the official Olympic websites/sources.

WENLOCK AT WIMBLEDON

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[Sallydaisy]

http://www.andymurrayfanforum.com/images/olympics/London2012_green.png

Watching the Olympics on TV/Internet

Main BBC coverage - The main Olympic coverage is on BBC1, BBC3 and the internet.
BBC2 will show coverage when the news is on BBC1.

Additional BBC coverage - There are another 24 channels dedicated to the Olympics provided by the BBC for those using Sky, Virgin, Freesat or the internet and 1 or 2 channels for those using Freeview.

Tennis on BBC - The BBC are allocating 2 of the 24 channels each day for tennis until the finals, one for Centre Court and one for Court 1. During parts of the day when other channels are available they will sometimes allocate more channels to tennis.

Eurosport - British Eurosport 1 and 2 and Eurosport Player are covering the Olympics


Details of how to access the extra BBC channels are below

Freeview
BBC Red button - one channel (301) plus another (302) after 7 pm. 304 for Freeview HD.
It is not possible to view the extra BBC 24 channels.

Freesat
BBC Red button - up to 24 channels
For tennis click on the "T-W" and the streams will be listed.
EPG - program guide - 24 channels
go to channels 150-173

Sky
BBC Red button - up to 24 channels
For tennis click on the "T-W" and the streams will be listed.
EPG - program guide - 24 channels
go to channels 450-473 for HD. Also 477,478, 493, 496 and 497 which are not HD.

Virgin
BBC Red button - up to 24 channels
For tennis click on the "T-W" and the streams will be listed.
EPG - program guide - 24 channels
go to channels 574-597

Internet

BBC Olympics live video page - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/2012/live-video

BBC Olympics tennis page- the streams will be listed on the right hand side - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/2012/sports/tennis

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We've added some more smileys to use during the Olympics ...
... the short codes are as the words below but in colons i.e. :colons:

olympics

http://www.andymurrayfanforum.com/images/smileys/olympics.gif
OGwave

http://www.4smileys.com/smileys/sport-smileys/Olympics.gif

gold
http://www.4smileys.com/smileys/sport-smileys/gold.gif

silver

http://www.4smileys.com/smileys/sport-smileys/silver.gif

bronze

http://www.4smileys.com/smileys/sport-smileys/bronze.gif

GBflag

http://www.buddy-icons.info/img/smile/1501.gif

GBsmile

http://smilies.gfxlovers.com/imgs/signs-and-flags/signs-and-flags011.gif



Not on our board but here's a few others you might find useful ...

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQoopYwrogAotqidmz3Hb_alCpXMNNZz ScD0DicybpUqIAyuhxPYA&t=1
http://us.cdn2.123rf.com/168nwm/dejanj01/dejanj010910/dejanj01091000027/5781480-three-smiley-balls-in-the-winners-podium.jpg
http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/olympics/olympic-medals-smiley-emoticon.gif

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/olympics/olympic-games-smiley-emoticon.gif

Other country (http://www.buddy-icons.info/aim-smiles/Flags/) flags/smileys

[Sallydaisy]

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/64573000/jpg/_64573325_tosxwebf.jpg

[Sallydaisy]

The incredible opening ceremony ......

http://www.london2012.com/mm/Photo/spectators/Ceremonies/01/30/39/71/1303971_M01.jpg





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[Sallydaisy]

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[Sallydaisy]

The Finale .......



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