Olympic Highlights of the Week

IOC Announces Olympic Highlights of the Week

On 28 June in Lausanne, IOC President Jacques Rogge met a delegation from the City of Lausanne, led by Mayor Daniel Brélaz.

(PRWEB) June 29, 2012

IOC ACTIVITIES
PRESIDENT
On 28 June in Lausanne, IOC President Jacques Rogge met a delegation from the City of Lausanne, led by Mayor Daniel Brélaz.

This weekend, President Rogge will be in Kiev (Ukraine), attending the final of the Euro 2012 football championships between Spain and Italy, in the Olympic Stadium.

MEMBERS
Nawal El Moutawakel was named Chevalier de l’Ordre national of Benin at the 18th African Athletics Championships, being held from 26 June to 1 July in Cotonou.

Sergey Bubka has been selected for the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF)’s Hall of Fame. An Olympic pole vault champion in 1988 in Seoul and six-time world champion, Bubka is currently an IAAF Vice-President, like Sebastian Coe, the Chairman of London 2012, who has also been selected for the Hall of Fame. Bubka and Coe join Irena Szewinska on the list of 24 athletes selected. The induction ceremony will take place on 24 November 2012 in Barcelona (Spain) during the IAAF Centenary Gala.

OTHER NEWS
The IOC and the NOC of Panama met on 25 June in Lausanne. The main purpose of this meeting was to follow up on the IOC visit to Panama in April and to consider the next steps in assisting the NOC of Panama to clarify its internal situation in view of the next NOC elections, which will be held in December 2012.

The IOC, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Samsung, one of the IOC’s TOP partners, have launched a major two-year programme to distribute sports kits to over 15,000 young refugees in 20 countries in Asia, Africa and America. Last week, the programme was launched in India (New Delhi) and South Africa (Cape Town and Limpopo province), where more than 17,000 and 59,000 young asylum-seekers and refugees respectively will benefit from the distribution of sports kits.

The IOC has launched an innovative TV spot as part of its “Show Your Best” global campaign and video competition to help build involvement with the Olympic Movement among young people and create the next generation of Olympic fans. This spot will be broadcast before Olympic events in the stadiums throughout the London Games, including at the Opening Ceremony, and at LiveSites across the UK. It will also appear on the IOC’s YouTube channel and other social media sites.

INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FEDERATIONS
SUMMER IFS
The schedule for the men’s and women’s handball competitions at the London Games has recently been unveiled. This indicates the dates on which the teams will compete in the preliminary rounds of the tournament at the Copper Box in the Olympic Park.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has announced the full list of participants – representing 45 nations – for the London Games tennis events from 28 July to 5 August at the All England Club in Wimbledon. Sixty-five players will compete in the singles event. Thirty-two teams will take part in the (men’s and women’s) doubles events. Mixed doubles will be on the Olympic programme for the first time since 1924, with 16 teams.

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has announced that 63 nations will be represented in the London Games sailing competition. In total, 380 athletes will compete in the Olympic events.

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has unveiled the schedule for the Olympic tournament in London this summer. The women’s competition will begin on 28 June at Earls Court, with Japan against Algeria. For the men, the competition will start the next day with Great Britain versus Bulgaria.

WINTER IFS
The International Ski Federation (FIS) has announced the death of Swedish cross-country legend Nils “Mora-Nisse” Karlsson at the age of 94. Karlsson won the famous Vasaloppet 90km-race - the finish of which was in his home town of Mora - nine times. He was Olympic champion in the 50km event in 1948 in St Moritz. During his career, he won 17 individual titles in the Swedish championships.

In addition, the FIS Congress met recently in Kangwonland (Republic of Korea), and affiliated Eritrea, Haiti, the British Virgin Islands, Palestine and Togo as associate members of the FIS.

NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES
In Bogota, Olympic Day on 23 June brought together many children, accompanied by their parents, who took part in various activities offered by the Colombian NOC. They were also able to have photos taken with athletes qualified for the 2012 Games, climbing the podium in front of a poster of the London Olympic Stadium. Everyone went home with an Olympic Day diploma.

On 23 June, thousands of youngsters celebrated Olympic Day at the Costa Rican NOC headquarters. Numerous activities were on offer such as climbing, trampolining, clown face painting, and races around the NOC gardens. All the children wore Olympic Day T-shirts. On the same day, in the presence of the President of the Republic, Laura Chinchilla Miranda, the Costa Rican delegations who will compete at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London officially swore an oath to their country. Marathon runner Gabriela Traña Trigueros will be the delegation’s flag-bearer at the Opening Ceremony on 27 July.

In the June edition of the “ANOCA Update”, the newsletter from the Association of the NOCs of Africa (ANOCA), it is reported that the National Youth and Sports Institute of Côte d’Ivoire recently received sports equipment from the NOC of Germany. A ceremony was held at the Côte d’Ivoire NOC headquarters in the presence of Thomas Bach, German NOC President and IOC Vice-President, as well as Lassana Palenfo, Côte d’Ivoire NOC President and an IOC member. This donation comprised sports equipment for athletics, football, basketball, volleyball and handball.

This year, the French NOC wanted to incorporate Olympic Day into its Sporting and Cultural Olympic Programme, by inviting its overseas territories to take part in various ways. With a London Games theme, the 2012 edition was organised by 22 departmental committees, 7 regional committees and one territorial committee, bringing together thousands of participants.

The Hellenic NOC and the National Olympic Academy organised an Olympic Day celebration on 23 June in Thessaloniki. Also on the programme were cycling and rowing races. Olympians gave speeches to the participants of all ages. A collection of equipment and clothes was organised to benefit those in need.

The Olympic Day Run was a great success in Hong Kong. Organised on 24 June, it brought together 5,000 people who responded to the invitation by the NOC of Hong Kong. Also taking part were 23 teams made up of sponsors, partners, national sports associations and athletes. Lucky draws, games, marching bands, dancing and rope skipping were also on the programme of festivities.

The “Honesty in Sport” contest, launched by the Giulio Onesti Foundation, in collaboration with the Italian NOC and the Ministry for Education, Universities and Research, saw hundreds of pieces of artistic expression historical document work produced by schools across the country. The winners were a school from Mantua, with a rap inviting people to share the values of sport, and a school from Catania, with a painting which, symbolically, stamps out doping. The winners were received on 22 June in Rome at the CONI headquarters, by the President of the Franco Carraro Foundation. Their prize was a trip to London during the Games for five of them.

On the same day, at a ceremony organised at the Quirinal Palace, the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, presented the national flag to Valentina Vezzali, the Olympic delegation’s flag-bearer for London, and Oscar De Pellegrin, the Paralympic flag-bearer. Some 80 athletes from the London Olympic delegation attended the ceremony, as did CONI President Gianni Petrucci among others. Giorgio Napolitano also awarded the Order of Sporting Merit to four athletes who competed at the London 1948 Games: Franco Faggi and Giuseppe Moioli (rowing), Carlo Monti (athletics) and Giovanni Rocca (flag-bearer).

In the framework of the Olympic Day “festas” organised by the Japanese NOC, the city of Iwaki (Fukushima Prefecture), celebrated Olympic Day on 23 June (photo). It was the 16th event out of the 60 that will be held by the end of 2013 with the slogan “Smiles Come from Sports”, sponsored by the IOC/Olympic Council of Asia “Tsubasa” support project.

To date, 5,000 children have taken part in these “festas” across the whole of Japan. These events are aimed at supporting children affected by the earthquake of March 2011. Besides collecting funds and equipment, the NOC launched a five-year project to send Olympic and Paralympic athletes to young people in the affected areas. This Sports Kokoro Project is set to visit 542 schools and put smiles on the faces of some 46,000 schoolchildren.

On 23 June in Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian NOC celebrated Olympic Day, its 50th anniversary and Mongolian Athletes’ Day. Many personalities were present, including Head of State Ts. Elbegdorj, Deputy Prime Minister M. Enkhbold, NOC President Demchigjav Zagdsuren and IOC honorary member Shagdarjav Magvan. The Head of State handed the national flag to marathon runner B. Ser-Od, flag-bearer for London. Some 29 Mongolian athletes will compete at the Games this summer.

On 24 June, over 5,000 people took part in the 25th Olympic Day Run organised by the Peruvian NOC and the Peruvian Sports Institute, under the patronage of Samsung Peru. Those present included NOC President Jose Quiñones González, the Institute’s President, Francisco Boza Dibos, and IOC member Iván Dibos. On this same day, the winners of the 22nd Drawing and Painting Contest received their prizes. On 30 June, a race will also take place in 21 cities across the country, with the participation of over 10,000 people.

In the June edition of the “ANOCA Update”, we learned that, to celebrate Olympic Day, the São Tome and Principe NOC decided to organise a series of events from 21 to 24 June. Besides the purely sports activities, the other highlight was the inauguration of the new NOC headquarters, a library and a large open space for leisure and sports activities.

For more information, please contact the IOC Media Relations Team.

David Beckham to Bring the Olympic Flame to the UK

Global Sports Icon David Beckham Joins Five Young People to Bring the Olympic Flame to the UK

Today the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) confirms that London 2012 ambassador David Beckham will attend the Olympic Flame Handover Ceremony in Athens and bring the Flame back to the UK ahead of its 70 day journey, presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.

(PRWEB) May 16, 2012

Today the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) confirms that London 2012 ambassador David Beckham will attend the Olympic Flame Handover Ceremony in Athens and bring the Flame back to the UK ahead of its 70 day journey, presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.

David, who was part of the successful London 2012 bid team in 2005, will be joined by five young people invited to take part by LOCOG and the British Council in recognition of their commitment to sport and their role in promoting the Olympic values of friendship, excellence and respect within their school or college.

The official delegation will be led by British Olympic Association President and LOCOG Board Member HRH The Princess Royal, Chair of LOCOG Sebastian Coe, Minister for Sport and the Olympics Hugh Robertson and Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

The young people have been selected from schools and colleges involved in the London 2012 Get Set Education programme and school linking programmes run by the British Council. As well as visiting some of the schools in Athens they are linked with, the young people are set to have a starring role in the Handover Ceremony expected to start at 19:00pm local Greek time (17:00pm BST) on the evening of 17 May at the Panathenaic Stadium.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: 'We wanted to involve young people from across the UK in bringing home the Olympic Flame. Their stories of personal achievement and contribution to sport echo the 8,000 inspiring Torchbearer stories that will be shared from this weekend and over the next ten weeks in the build up to the start of the Games. Working with one of our most inspiring sportspeople is also fitting for this hugely exciting time for the London 2012 Games.'

Representing Scotland is rugby player Dennis Coles, age 17 from Doon Academy, Dalmellington, East Ayrshire; representing Northern Ireland is talented hockey player Chloe Brown, age 18 from South Eastern Regional College, Bangor and representing Wales is Swansea Harriers athlete and Mumbles Rangers FC player Sean White, age 17 from Bishop Vaughan Catholic School in Swansea.

Representing Cornwall where the Olympic Flame arrives and starts its 70 day journey is Falmouth Ladies hockey player Georgia Higgs, age 15 from Helston Community College and School Sports Ambassador and athlete Sakinah Muhammad, age 15 from Clapton Girls’ Academy, Hackney represents London where the Olympic Flame will light the cauldron signifying the start of the Olympic Games on the evening of 27 July 2012.

Click here for biographies and images of the young people. Images of their time in Athens will also be uploaded to this link over the course of the next couple of days.

Paul Docherty, Director UK 2012 at the British Council, said: ‘The British Council is delighted to be part of this historic occasion, enabling young people from across the UK to participate in the Handover ceremony and to meet Greek youngsters from their partner schools. The London 2012 Games offer a great opportunity for people in the UK and around the world to develop a better understanding of each other and build lasting relationships. Our school linking projects help make that happen.'

Dennis Coles from Doon Academy, East Ayrshire said: ‘Going to Athens is a fantastic opportunity, and to be part of such an historic ceremony representing my school and country, fills me with pride and excitement. This is the chance of a lifetime and I look forward becoming even more involved in the Get Set London 2012 work in my school when I return.’

Chloe Brown from South Eastern Regional College, Bangor, Northern Ireland, commented: ‘I have been selected for this trip as through my involvement in sport and through my studies, I show the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect. Playing hockey has taught me these three important aspects. I am really looking forward to the Olympic Games and the Olympic Flame handover will be an amazing event which I am very honoured to be involved in.’

Sean White from Bishop Vaughan School, Swansea, said: ‘I am really excited about visiting Greece and seeing Athens, the home of the Olympic Games. I am looking forward to the Ceremony and to taking the Flame back to the UK in preparation for the Olympic Games. I am really excited about coming home and sharing my experience, both in school, my running club and in the wider community and hope that this will help people to become even more excited and enthusiastic about the Olympic Games.’

Georgia Higgs, Helston Community College, Cornwall, said: ‘I have always loved participating in numerous sports, so to be given the opportunity to partake in the world’s greatest sporting event is just incredible. I'm so proud to be part of this experience and to bring the Flame back to Britain, as well as my home county of Cornwall, is utterly amazing. I know it will be something I will always remember!’

Sakinah Muhammad, Clapton Girls’ Academy, added: ‘I am thrilled to have the honour of representing my country, London, Hackney, Clapton Girls’ Academy and my family in such a historic event. Being given this opportunity means so much to me as I’ve been looking for a way to get more involved in the 2012 Games.’

The young people will also be on board the BA2012 flight carrying the Olympic Flame from Athens to RNAS Culdrose landing on the evening of Friday 18 May 2012.

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office.

Notes to editors

About the schools and colleges involved:
The schools in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland were invited to get involved because of their work with the Get Set network and also because they have an existing link with a school in Greece through Comenius, the EU-funded programme managed by the British Council in the UK.

Helston Community College was invited to get involved due to its proximity to RNAS Culdrose where the Olympic Flame will arrive. As a result of the Athens visit, the college is developing a partnership with 2nd Exemplary Experimental Gymnasium of Athens through the London 2012 School Linking Programme delivered by LOCOG and British Council and supported by the Hellenic Olympic Committee. Georgia will visit her partner school during their visit to Athens and develop ideas for future joint projects between the two schools.

Clapton Girls’ Academy in Hackney was chosen as a member of the Get Set network, located in the Borough of Hackney one of the Host Boroughs for the London 2012 Olympic Games, and because it is supporting and learning about the Greek Olympic team in the lead-up to the Games. Earlier in the year, the school was linked with Leontios School in Athens through the London 2012 School Linking Programme, delivered by LOCOG and the British Council and supported by the Hellenic Olympic Committee. During their visit to Athens, Sakinah will visit her partner school and develop ideas for future joint projects between the two schools.

About the British Council:
The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and builds trust between them worldwide. We are a Royal Charter charity, established as the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. Our 7000 staff in over 100 countries work with thousands of professionals and policy makers and millions of young people every year through English, arts, education and society programmes. We earn over 75% of our annual turnover of nearly £700 million from services which customers pay for, education and development contracts we bid for and from partnerships. A UK Government grant provides the remaining 25%. We match every £1 of core public funding with over £3 earned in pursuit of our charitable purpose.

For more information, please visit: http://www.britishcouncil.org.

About the Handover Ceremony:
Timings local to Greece and subject to change

19:00pm (17:00pm BST)
Olympic Anthem; UK and Greece National Anthems; Entry of the High Priestess and Priestesses into the Stadium; Arrival of the last Torchbearers; Lighting of the cauldron; Address by the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Mr Spyros Capralos; Address by Sebastian Coe Chair of LOCOG; Handing over of the Olympic Flame

19:45pm (17:45pm BST)
Departure of the LOCOG representatives, carrying the Olympic Flame

About the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay:
For more information on the London 2012 Torchbearers and the streets through which they will carry the London 2012 Olympic Flame, please go to http://www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay

About the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Presenting Partners:
As the longest standing Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola will be using its heritage and experience to spread excitement across the UK ahead of London 2012. Coca-Cola's national nomination campaign - Future Flames – has focused on finding inspirational young people from across the country to have the once in a lifetime opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame. This summer Coca-Cola will celebrate these Future Flames: young people who use their passions in areas like sport and physical activity, music and dance, and community and the environment; to spread happiness in their local communities.

As the only National Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Lloyds TSB will be taking the inspiration and excitement of the Olympic Flame right to the heart of communities across the UK. As part of Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of Scotland will be the National Presenting Partner in Scotland. We are creating as many opportunities as possible for communities the length and breadth of the UK to get involved as the Flame travels past their front doors. Lloyds TSB’s troupe of performers the Flame Followers will be travelling ahead of the Flame to excite crowds with a unique fusion of street performance, theatre and sport celebrating the endeavour, athleticism, agility and skill of Olympic sporting heroes, Team GB.

Lloyds Banking Group is Britain’s biggest corporate investor in UK communities and in 2011 invested £85 million and as part of the Group’s Community Investment Programme, we’ve launched the Lloyds Banking Group Community Fund to give back to the communities in which we operate and pass through on our journey with the Olympic Flame. We’re inviting everyone to visit the Lloyds TSB stand at each Evening Celebration to vote for a community project in their area that inspires and supports young people. By voting at the Evening Celebration members of the public will automatically enter a draw to win four tickets to London 2012. The two projects that receive the most votes at each locality will each win a £5,000 grant from Lloyds Banking Group. At the Lloyds TSB site members of the public will also have the opportunity to have their photo taken with the Olympic Torch, meet Lloyds TSB Local Heroes – the future stars of Team GB and ParalympicsGB – and get up close to our Flame Followers.

As a Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Samsung aims to encourage everyone to be part of the Olympic Torch Relay to make London 2012 ‘Everyone’s Olympic Games.’ We aspire to offer new and memorable experiences for everyone around the world. Samsung is providing 1,360 Torchbearers, who have “gone the extra mile” by contributing to the local communities, through its worldwide public nomination campaign. Samsung will support towns and cities to celebrate the exciting moment of the Torch Relay and help showcase Great Britain’s cultural landmarks to provide a more enjoyable experience to everyone. The evening celebrations that will be staged in 66 towns and cities throughout the Olympic Flame’s journey across the UK, will allow Samsung to entertain the community they are visiting. The Samsung caravan, complete with LED screen on the side showcasing runners and goodwill messages, will travel with Torchbearers around the UK cheering up everyone to celebrate the Torch Relay with music and interaction with local communities. It is Samsung’s ambition that London 2012 will be an event that reaches and involves more people than on any other Olympic Games occasion.

The Supporters of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay are:
Worldwide Olympic Partners Procter and Gamble and Visa, Tier One Partners adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT and EDF, Tier Three Providers Aggreko, Holiday Inn and NATURE VALLEY.

London 2012 Games partners:
The Worldwide Olympic Partners who support the London 2012 Olympic Games and the National Olympic Committees around the world are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos, Dow Chemical Company, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Procter and Gamble, Samsung and Visa.
LOCOG has seven domestic Tier One Partners - adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. There are seven domestic Tier Two Supporters – Adecco, ArcelorMittal, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte, Thomas Cook and UPS.

There are now twenty-eight domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers – Aggreko, Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, CBS Outdoor, Crystal CG, Eurostar, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, G4S, GSK, Gymnova, Heathrow Airport, Heineken UK, Holiday Inn, John Lewis, McCann Worldgroup, Mondo, NATURE VALLEY, Next, Nielsen, Populous, Rapiscan Systems, Rio Tinto, Technogym, Thames Water, Ticketmaster, Trebor and Westfield.

There is one domestic Tier One Paralympic Games-only Partner, Sainsbury’s and one domestic Tier Three Paralympic Games-only Supplier, Otto Bock. The London 2012 Paralympic Games also acknowledges the support of the National Lottery

London Olympic-Flame Lit in Ancient Olympia

Olympic Flame for the London 2012 Games is Lit in Ancient Olympia

Running from 10 to 17 May 2012, the 3,000km (1,864 mile) Greek leg of the Torch Relay will see the Olympic Flame reach approximately 40 communities and be carried by around 500 people

(PRWEB) May 11, 2012

– Running from 10 to 17 May 2012, the 3,000km (1,864 mile) Greek leg of the Torch Relay will see the Olympic Flame reach approximately 40 communities and be carried by around 500 people
– London 2012 Bid ambassador is secondTorchbearer on the 8 day journey across Greek mainland and islands

The ceremony organised by the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) to light the Olympic Flame was held inside the Temple of Hera at the historic ruins of the home of the ancient Olympic Games.

Following the traditional ceremonial rites, the Olympic Flame was lit at noon local Greek time (10:00am BST) by the High Priestess, Ino Menegaki, using the sun’s rays at the Temple of Hera in Ancient Olympia. During the hour long Lighting Ceremony, the High Priestess made use of a parabolic mirror to capture the sun’s rays to create the Olympic Flame that will be carried by 8,000 inspirational people in the UK from Saturday 19 May to Friday 27 July 2012. In a procession choreographed by Artemis Ignatiou, the Flame was then brought into the Ancient Olympic Stadium itself.

The Lighting Ceremony was preceded by the UK and Greek national anthems, the recital of ‘The Light of Olympia’, and speeches by Efthymios Kotzas, the Mayor of Ancient Olympia; Spyros Zannias, Chairman of the Olympic Torch Relay Commission; Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee; Spyros Capralos, President of the HOC and Sebastian Coe, Chair of London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, said: ‘The lighting of the Olympic flame in ancient Olympia is always a moment of great significance for the Olympic Movement. As the Olympic torch receives the flame and is held aloft by the first Torchbearer, we are reminded through its light of the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect that it carries on its journey.’

He continued, ‘The London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay will celebrate those values, as it tours the country that invented modern sport and the spirit of fair play. It will also celebrate the many inspirational Torchbearers, who, like the athletes that will compete in London this summer, will help to inspire a generation, as they invite the world to gather and celebrate the Games of the XXX Olympiad.’

Spyros Capralos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, said: ‘We are pleased to share our culture and tradition with the UK and the world. We will carry the Olympic Flame 3,000 kilometres around Greece and reach around 40 communities before we entrust the safe keeping of the Olympic Flame to the UK.'

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: ‘The Olympic Flame lit today in Olympia will connect the ancient Games and the modern Games. Cities, towns and villages across Greece and Britain will be connected together and to the London 2012 Olympic Games forever. Sport has enduring and universal appeal, and the timeless Olympic values transcend history and geography; values, which, I believe, in these challenging times are more relevant than at any time before, particularly to young people all over the world.

‘This is the second time representatives of the UK have gathered here to celebrate the lighting of the Olympic Flame. In 1948, shortly after the Second World War, my predecessor stood where I am today and made the first tentative steps in turning the world from war to sport. We find ourselves in challenging times again and turn to sport once more to connect the world in a global celebration of achievement and inspiration.’

Minister for Sport and the Olympics Hugh Robertson, said: ‘This is a significant moment in our journey to the 2012 Games. Lit in a ceremony steeped in tradition, it is exciting to think that in just eight days the Olympic flame will arrive on our shores for a Torch Relay that I hope the whole country will embrace.’

British-born Greek 10km swimming world champion Spyros Gianniotis, had the honour of then starting the Olympic Flame’s journey across Greece, as he carried it from the Ancient Stadium via Pierre de Coubertin’s Grove, before handing the Flame on to 19 year old London Borough of Newham resident Alexandros (Alex) Loukos. Alex whose father is Greek was selected by LOCOG to carry to the Olympic Flame in Olympia. He was one of the youngest Bid representatives in Singapore, helping London to win the Olympic bid in July 2005, and is today, once again, representing the youth of London.

Alex Loukos, said: ‘It is an unbelievable honour to be a Torchbearer in the Olympic Torch Relay, especially carrying the Flame in Olympia and representing the city of London. I have grown up with London 2012 – from helping with the bid in Singapore when I was twelve, to witnessing the incredible regeneration of my home in East London as the 2012 Games have taken shape and changed the area forever, to now with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be one of the first to carry the Torch for the London Games.’

From the Lighting Ceremony in Olympia, the HOC will take the Olympic Flame on an 8-day relay around Greece, showcasing the beauty and history of the Greek mainland and islands, travelling to the island of Crete before going to Piraeus, Thessalonica, Xanthi and Larissa among many other communities before arriving at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens on the evening of Thursday 17 May 2012 for the Olympic Flame Handover Ceremony that is expected to start at 19:00 local time (17:00 BST)

The Olympic Flame will then travel to the UK from Athens on Friday 18 May, landing in the evening at RNAS Culdrose, ahead of the start of the Olympic Torch Relay on Saturday 19 May 2012.

Presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung, the Olympic Torch Relay will take the Olympic Flame on a 70-day and 8,000 mile journey across the UK. 8,000 Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame for approximately 300 metres each, passing the Olympic Flame from Torch to Torch until it reaches the Olympic Stadium on the evening of 27 July 2012. The Olympic Flame will journey to within 10 miles of over 95% of the UK population.

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office.

Notes to editors

Click here for key facts about the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

For more information on the London 2012 Torchbearers and the streets through which they will carry the London 2012 Olympic Flame, please go to http://www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay

About the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Presenting Partners:

As the longest standing Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola will be using its heritage and experience to spread excitement across the UK ahead of London 2012. Coca-Cola's national nomination campaign - Future Flames – has focused on finding inspirational young people from across the country to have the once in a lifetime opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame. This summer Coca-Cola will celebrate these Future Flames: young people who use their passions in areas like sport and physical activity, music and dance, and community and the environment; to spread happiness in their local communities.

As the only National Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Lloyds TSB will be taking the spirit and inspiration of the Olympic Flame right to the heart of communities across the UK. As part of Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of Scotland will be the National Presenting Partner in Scotland. Schools can be right at the heart of the celebrations through our Flame Followers programme, giving them access to free resources to get their pupils inspired and excited about the Olympic Torch Relay. Customers can be the first to hear how they can follow the Olympic Flame, through our customer-exclusive programme Trackside.

As a Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Samsung aims to encourage everyone to be part of the Olympic Torch Relay to make London 2012 ‘Everyone’s Olympic Games.’ We aspire to offer new and memorable experiences for everyone around the world. Samsung is providing 1,360 Torchbearers, who have “gone the extra mile” by contributing to the local communities, through its worldwide public nomination campaign. Samsung will support towns and cities to celebrate the exciting moment of the Torch Relay and help showcase Great Britain’s cultural landmarks to provide a more enjoyable experience to everyone. The evening celebrations that will be staged in 66 towns and cities throughout the Olympic Flame’s journey across the UK, will allow Samsung to entertain the community they are visiting. The Samsung caravan, complete with LED screen on the side showcasing runners and goodwill messages, will travel with Torchbearers around the UK cheering up everyone to celebrate the Torch Relay with music and interaction with local communities. It is Samsung’s ambition that London 2012 will be an event that reaches and involves more people than on any other Olympic Games occasion.

The Supporters of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay are:
Worldwide Olympic Partners Procter and Gamble and Visa, Tier One Partners adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT and EDF, Tier Three Providers Aggreko, Holiday Inn and NATURE VALLEY.

London 2012 Games partners:
The Worldwide Olympic Partners who support the London 2012 Olympic Games and the National Olympic Committees around the world are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos, Dow Chemical Company, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Procter and Gamble, Samsung and Visa.
LOCOG has seven domestic Tier One Partners - adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. There are seven domestic Tier Two Supporters – Adecco, ArcelorMittal, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte, Thomas Cook and UPS.

There are now twenty-eight domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers – Aggreko, Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, CBS Outdoor, Crystal CG, Eurostar, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, G4S, GSK, Gymnova, Heathrow Airport, Heineken UK, Holiday Inn, John Lewis, McCann Worldgroup, Mondo, NATURE VALLEY, Next, Nielsen, Populous, Rapiscan Systems, Rio Tinto, Technogym, Thames Water, Ticketmaster, Trebor and Westfield.

There is one domestic Tier One Paralympic Games-only Partner, Sainsbury’s and one domestic Tier Three Paralympic Games-only Supplier, Otto Bock. The London 2012 Paralympic Games also acknowledges the support of the National Lottery.

London Olympic-Highlights of the Week

IOC Announces Olympic Highlights of the Week

On 24 April in The Hague (Netherlands), IOC President Jacques Rogge took part in a talk and round table. The Prince of Orange, an IOC member, also attended.



(PRWEB) April 27, 2012

IOC ACTIVITIES
PRESIDENT
On 24 April in The Hague (Netherlands), IOC President Jacques Rogge took part in a talk and round table. The Prince of Orange, an IOC member, also attended.

INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FEDERATIONS
SUMMER IFS
This year, World Athletics Day will preferably be held on 12 and 13 May. As part of the centenary celebrations of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), 12 youth age group athletes, (one boy and one girl per Area, aged 16-17) will be invited to the IAAF Centenary Gala in Barcelona (Spain) on 23 and 24 November 2012. The World Athletics Day - IAAF Centenary Draw to decide the lucky winners will take place in July 2012.

During a visit to Sofia (Bulgaria), International Boxing Association (AIBA) President and IOC member, Ching-Kuo Wu, and AIBA Vice-President and President of the European Confederation Humbert Furgoni met the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Rosen Plevneliev, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, Sports Minister Svilen Neykov, Boxing Federation President Krassimir Ininski and NOC President Stefka Kostadinova. The main subject of the visit was AIBA’s professional boxing programme and the role that Bulgaria can play in its development.

On 22 April, International Cycling Union (UCI) President and IOC member Pat McQuaid, accompanied the President of South Korea, Myung-bak Lee, on a bike ride along a section of Korea’s extensive network of cycle paths. McQuaid was in South Korea for the start of the eight-day Tour of Korea and the Korea Cycle Grand Festival, held in parallel with the national tour. The government has invested in 2,000km of bicycles paths nationwide.

Two Russian athletes, Svetlana Tsarukaeva and Khadzhimurat Akkaev, have been voted the Best Lifters of 2011 by readers of “World Weightlifting” and the public worldwide. The two winners received the “Jenő Boskovics Lifter of the Year Challenge Trophy” at a ceremony organised recently in Moscow (Russian Federation). It was presented to them by International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) President Tamás Aján, who is also an IOC honorary member, and Kornel Jancsó, Editor in Chief of “World Weightlifting”, in the presence of Russian Weightlifting Federation President Sergey Syrtsov and many other personalities.

The women’s water polo teams from Spain, Italy, Russia and Hungary recently earned their ticket to the London Games at the Qualification Tournament held in Trieste (Italy) from 15 to 22 April. These teams will join Great Britain, Australia, the United States and China. The draw for the Olympic tournament will take place on 5 May 2012 in London.

The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF)’s 2012 World Cup, an official test event, is currently taking place in London at the Royal Artillery Barracks. Britain’s Minister for Sport and the Olympics, Hugh Robertson, visited the venue and met ISSF President and IOC member Olegario Vázquez Raña and ISSF Secretary General Franz Schreiber. Over 800 athletes representing over 100 countries are competing in 15 Olympic events. It is worth noting that only 390 shooters will compete at the Games this summer.

This week, the International Triathlon Union (ITU) organised the first ever coaching course in Iraq, in the city of Erbil. Fourteen women and 11 men took part in this course, funded by Olympic Solidarity and supported by the ITU. All the manuals and reference sources had been translated into Arabic, which will aid in triathlon’s development not only in Iraq, but also in the entire Arab region. ITU President and IOC member Marisol Casado, accompanied by ITU Executive Board member Ahmed Nasser, attended this course, and also met the Iraqi NOC President and the Iraqi Sports Minister.

WINTER IFS
The World Curing Federation (WCF) and the Canadian Curling Federation (CCA) recently announced that the city of Fredericton will host the 2013 World Senior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships and World Mixed Doubles. These three events will take place from 13 to 20 April at the Grant-Harvey Centre. Over 30 teams should compete for the mixed doubles title, while over 40 teams should be vying for the men’s and women’s world titles.

NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES
With a few months until the London Games, the Chilean NOC has just published Chilenos Olímpicos: Historia de la Participación Nacional en los Juegos Olímpicos de Verano 1896/2008 [Olympic Chileans: the history of national participation in the Summer Olympic Games from 1896 to 2008]. Funded by Olympic Solidarity, this book is by journalist Cristián Muñoz Funck.

The IOC’s Worldwide Partner, Procter & Gamble, recently launched its Gracias Mama [Thank You, Mom] campaign in Colombia. Among the many personalities at this event were Colombian NOC President Baltazar Medina, and the athletes who have already qualified for London 2012, Mariana Pajón, Paulo Cesar Villar and Angelica Hernández, accompanied by their mothers, as well as the mother of boxer Jeisson Monroy.

On 18 April, British Olympic Association (BOA) Board of Directors approved the appointment of the British Golf Association Limited (BGAL) as the National Governing Body for Olympic golf and an officially recognised member of the BOA.

We recently learned that Olympic medallist Elizabeth Ferris died on 12 April. She was the last Briton to win an Olympic medal in diving – bronze in the 3m springboard at the Rome 1960 Games. She assisted in the creation of the IOC Women and Sport Commission, of which she has been a member since 1995. She also assisted in the creation of the British Olympians Club and the World Olympians Association (WOA), of which she was Vice-President for over 10 years.

On 18 April, the Italian NOC (CONI) hosted a ceremony to present the “Collari d'Oro” Sporting Merit awards and honorary diplomas to the best athletes, technicians, sports leaders and sports companies for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011. Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti was present on this occasion, and received from CONI President Giovanni Petrucci a personalised set of the official equipment of the Italian delegation for London 2012. A tribute was paid to the three Italian athletes who have died in recent months practising their respective sport: Marco Simoncelli, Vigor Bovolenta and Piermario Morosini.

At the Ajinomoto National Training Centre, the Japanese NOC recently received students from Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences’ Leisure Management division (Netherlands). This one-week visit to Tokyo was part of the students’ project on the impact of the Olympic and Paralympic Games on a city. The Director of the NOC President’s Office, Yasuhiro Nakamori, and the young students from Rotterdam, a city in the running to organise the Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2018, exchanged opinions and comments on how the Games can be a catalyst for positive change in host cities.

On 22 April at the Kaunas Sports Hall, a ceremony was held to commemorate 90 years of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation. The event was attended by Lithuanian basketball veterans, distinguished guests from abroad and Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius. Present and former heads of world and European basketball federations as well as the NBA congratulated the Lithuanian Basketball Federation and basketball players of all generations in a televised message. On this occasion, Lithuanian NOC President Arturas Poviliunas, presented legendary Lithuanian basketballer Arvydas Sabonis – currently President of the Federation – with the NOC’s Olympic Rings award.

With 100 days to go until the London Games, all the members of Mongolia’s national teams were able to conduct face-to-face discussions with the President of Mongolia, Ts. Elbegdorj, who was accompanied by Mongolian NOC President Demchigjav Zagdsuren. Mongolia has currently secured 14 Olympic places in the marathon, shooting, wrestling, boxing, archery and swimming. Ten other athletes will compete in judo and weightlifting. The NOC hopes to send up to 40 athletes to London.

We have just learned that, on 30 March in Bratislava, the Slovakian Olympic flame was lit electronically by Slovakian NOC President Frantisek Chmelar, who passed it to Slovakia’s oldest Olympian, 89-year-old kayaker Jan Matocha. He then passed it on to the athletes preparing for London 2012: Danka Bartekova (shooting) and Samuel Piasecky (gymnastics). The next day, the torch, named “Slovak message to the Games of the XXX Olympiad in London 2012” with the motto of “We All Are One Team” began its relay, which will travel the country for 84 days before returning to Bratislava on 23 June, Olympic Day.

Swedish athlete Ingeborg “Kickan” Sjöqvist celebrated her 100th birthday on 19 April. She is the oldest Olympian in the world. Ingeborg competed in the diving competitions at the Los Angeles 1932 and Berlin 1936 Games. In Los Angeles, she was the only woman out of 51 athletes in the Swedish delegation. In an interview, she declared that she will be following the Games this summer.

Through Olympic Solidarity, the Uruguayan NOC, whose President is IOC member Julio Cesar Maglione, awarded a grant to coaches Federico Camiña (basketball) and Mariano Miraldi (judo) to participate in the 27th training course in sports sciences for coaches. This course will be held between 12 April and 10 July 2012 at the Sant Cugat High-Level Centre in Barcelona.

RECOGNISED ORGANISATIONS
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) recently launched the first web site of the Oceania Paralympic Committee (http://www.oceaniaparalympic.org). This new site provides information on member countries, athletes and sports, as well as the on the IPC and the Paralympic Games, ranking of Paralympic sports and anti-doping issues.

For more information, please contact the IOC Media Relations Team.

6 Tips for London Olympics Travelers

Going to the Olympics? Better Get Going NOW. 

(Why you need to book your London trip today + 6 tips for travelers)

NEW YORK, March 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Thinking of jetting off to London last-minute to catch this summer's Olympic Games? Think again. With the city bracing itself for a tourist tsunami, latecomers can expect little flexibility from airports, hotels, and car services that are already stretched to the max. Officials from the London Olympic Committee are strongly urging visitors to plan their trips now.  

The sheer numbers back them up: the city is expecting 9 million visitors to flood streets that offer only 100,000 hotel rooms. And the travel bottleneck promises even greater headaches. This week, the Associated Press reported that four leading airlines have warned of an air-traffic surge that could cause chaos at the city's hub airports, making re-bookings difficult and new bookings virtually impossible, even for private flyers.

Phil Mathews, President of Air Partner, leading air charter company specializing in travel to the Olympic Games, says, "We're rapidly approaching the 100-day mark before the Games' opening ceremonies, but visitors still think they have time to spare. They don't. The one message we're trying to convey is book now and plan your trip down to the most minute detail."

Based in both the U.S. and the UK, Air Partner is a valuable resource for travel to London this summer. To help tourists make sure they get to the Games -- and have a great time once they get there -- Air Partner offers these tips:

1) Book Now. Every day you wait makes it less likely you'll be there for your favorite event. Affordable commercial seats are drying up, and rigorous pre-determined flight bookings mean limited slots for private aircraft. Last minute changes and/or bookings could result in your flight plan being rejected by airport or military authorities.

2) Use Public Transportation. In a jam-packed city, knowing the right route can save you hours in travel time, especially for those flying into regional airports rather than the hubs (Heathrow and Gatwick). Air Partner has identified the most convenient public transportation routes from the airport to your Olympic venue or accommodation.

3) Consider Hotel Alternatives. Limited lodgings necessitate creative thinking. Travelers struggling to find accommodation should consider outside-the-box options like camping or apartment stays. Local university halls are being made available as extra space and outside the city, VisitBritain.com lists an additional 27,000 room options across the UK.

4) Make it a Hiking Trip. London hopes to have 100 percent of spectators make it to the events by public transportation, cycling, or walking. Helpful tools such as the London 2012 Spectator Journey planner will show you the best ways to get to the Olympic venues from your lodgings.

5) Take Advantage of Free. For those who can't get tickets, free events such as the marathon begin and end on The Mall and big screens displaying live coverage will be set up in Hyde Park, Victoria Park, and Potters Field Park.

6) Plan, Plan, Plan. Opportunities such as city tours and show tickets sell out fast, so look into offers like the London Pass and other special events that are featured at the same time (London 2012 Festival).

The message is clear: London may be calling, but wait too long to pick up and you'll miss out.  Book your trip today.

For rolling updates from Air Partner as you plan, follow @APOlympicEnvoy on Twitter.

CONTACT: Erin O'Neil PH: 212-431-1470

SOURCE Air Partner

News Release Source : http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/going-to-the-olympics-better-get-going-now-143636866.html

London Olympic Highlights of the Week

IOC Announces Olympic Highlights of the Week

On 13 and 14 March, IOC President Jacques Rogge led the discussions during this year’s first meeting of the IOC Executive Board (EB). The EB took a number of decisions, including proposing the candidatures of Tsunekazu Takeda (Japan), Aisha Garad Ali (Djibouti), Pierre-Olivier Beckers (Belgium), Frank Fredericks (Namibia) and Lingwei Li (China) for the election of a maximum of five members by the 124th Session in London

(PRWEB) March 20, 2012

IOC ACTIVITIES
PRESIDENT
On 13 and 14 March, IOC President Jacques Rogge led the discussions during this year’s first meeting of the IOC Executive Board (EB). The EB took a number of decisions, including proposing the candidatures of Tsunekazu Takeda (Japan), Aisha Garad Ali (Djibouti), Pierre-Olivier Beckers (Belgium), Frank Fredericks (Namibia) and Lingwei Li (China) for the election of a maximum of five members by the 124th Session in London. During its meetings, the EB examined the reports by the IOC commissions and administration, as well as the progress of preparations for the next editions of the Olympic Games, i.e. London 2012, Sochi 2014, Rio 2016 and PyeongChang 2018.

This week in Vidy, President Rogge has met: 

• Carlos Arthur Nuzman, IOC member and President of the NOC of Brazil and the Rio 2016 Organising Committee; and Bernard Rajzman, Chef de Mission of the Brazilian Olympic delegation for the Games in London;
• IOC Vice-President Zaiqing Yu, accompanied by former badminton player, Lingwei Li, who is also a member of the IOC Programme Commission;
• The President of the NOC of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Vasil Tupurkovski; and
• The President of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and IOC member Marisol Casado.

MEMBERS
Mario Vázquez Raña has informed the IOC President of his decision to resign as an IOC member and as a member of the IOC Executive Board, Chairman of the Olympic Solidarity Commission and President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC). The IOC President thanked Mario Vázquez Raña for all that he had done for the Olympic Movement over more than 30 years.

HONORARY MEMBERS
The President of the Association of the National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), Lassana Palenfo, has been raised to the rank of Officer of the National Order of Merit by Malian President Amadou Toumani Touré. He received this distinction at a ceremony held alongside the sixth edition of the International Convention on Sport in Africa (CISA), which took place in Bamako (Mali) from 1 to 3 March. Lassana Palenfo was also inducted into the African Sport Hall of Fame in the “Administrators” category.

Henry Edmund Olufemi Adefope died on 11 March at the age of 85. He was an IOC member from 1985 to 2006, before becoming an honorary member. He played an active role in sport, leading a number of sports organisations in Nigeria and Africa, including the NOC of Nigeria from 1967 to 1976. He was a member of the following IOC commissions: Tripartite, Apartheid and Olympism, Medical, Preparation for the 1996 Olympic Games, Enquiry for the Games of the XXVII Olympiad in 2000, Evaluation for the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad in 2004, and Sport and Environment.

INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FEDERATIONS
SUMMER IFS
At the 14th edition of the World Indoor Championships, held in Istanbul (Turkey) from 9 to 11 March, the President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Lamine Diack, announced the creation of the IAAF Hall of Fame. To mark this year’s IAAF centennial, 24 athletes will be inducted into this Hall of Fame. An official ceremony will take place during the centennial gala in Barcelona (Spain) on 24 November 2012. The IAAF Council also met in Istanbul, taking a number of decisions, in particular concerning the organisation of various championships.

On 18 June 2012, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) will celebrate its 80th anniversary. To mark this occasion, FIBA has launched an online photo contest, http://www.80years.fiba.com. The first prize is a trip for two people to the basketball finals at the Games in London.

A press release by the International Fencing Federation (FIE) has informed us that, from now on, fans and media throughout the world will be able to follow the daily lives, trips and Games preparations of two fencers on the road to London 2012. The blogs of Dutch epeeist Bas Verwijlen and Canadian sabre fencer Philippe Beaudry will be available at http://www.fie.ch.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has announced that, at the deadline of midnight on 7 March, all the NOCs concerned had confirmed the participation of their gymnasts in the Games in London, filling the places allocated in their respective countries. These lists will be available on the FIG’s official website. At the Games, the FIG will have a quota of 324 gymnasts.

Six teams have qualified for the men’s Olympic handball tournament in London from 28 July to 12 August following the 2011 World Championships and the continental qualification tournaments. The six remaining teams will be known after the three Olympic qualification tournaments which will be held from 6 to 8 April.

According to a press release from the International Swimming Federation (FINA), some 900 athletes participated in the swimming test event held from 3 to 10 March in London’s Aquatic Centre. This test event included the British National Championships and British trials for the Games. From 20 to 26 February, this venue hosted the Diving World Cup and will also play host to the synchronised swimming qualification tournament from 18 to 22 April, with both competitions serving as test events for London 2012.

Furthermore, following a postal vote, the FINA Bureau has made several nominations. Dennis Miller (Fiji) thus becomes the Bureau’s new Vice-President for Oceania, while Matthew Dunn (Australia) becomes the Bureau member for Oceania. The FINA Bureau has also confirmed that a Facilities Committee and High Diving Commission have been created.

This week, the International Rugby Board (IRB) informed us of the death of the New Zealand rugby player and administrator, Jock Hobbs, at the age of 52. In his career, Hobbs played 21 matches for the All Blacks from 1983 to 1986. As Chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union, he played a pivotal role in obtaining the 2011 World Cup for his country. He served on the IRB Council from 2002 to 2007 and was also a member of the IRB’s Executive Committee and Chairman of its Regulations Committee.

WINTER IFS
On 1 March, the International Ski Federation (FIS) launched an improved version of http://www.fis-ski.com for mobile devices. Accessible at mobile.fisski.com (or m.fisski.com), this application has a new, more user-friendly interface and layout.

NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES
In the framework of its support to the NOCs, Worldwide Olympic Partner Procter & Gamble (P&G) announced its partnership with the NOC of South Africa (SASCOC) at a press conference on 7 March at Olympic House in Johannesburg. Through this partnership, P&G South Africa will not only support the South African Olympic team for London 2012 but will also be contributing to the development of South Africa’s next generation of champions by assisting in youth development. Those present at the press conference included P&G Vice-President for South and East Africa Stanislav Cecera, SASCOC Secretary General Tubby Reddy, SASCOC President Gideon Sam and IOC member Sam Ramsamy.

On 13 March, the NOC of Colombia presented the “Live the Olympic Spirit – London 2012” competition, launched by Worldwide Olympic Partner McDonald’s. Aimed at Colombian 8-to-14 year-olds, the winner of the competition will receive a trip to London during the Games. Those present at the launch included NOC President Baltazar Medina and athletes Mariana Pajón and María Luisa Calle, who have already qualified for the Games in London and are members of the competition jury.

Through its commission on healthy habits and nutrition in sport, the NOC of Spain has organised a lunch conference on the theme of wellbeing, health and society. The main speaker was Valentin Fuster, the Director of the Madrid-based National Cardiovascular Research Centre and the Director of the Cardiology Institute of the Mount Sanai Hospital in New York.

On 12 March, in Twickenham, the Princess Royal, IOC member, and Colin Moynihan, the President of the British Olympic Association, joined the families and friends of potential Team GB athletes at an event held as part of the British Olympic Association and British Paralympic Committee’s “Nearest and Dearest” programme. This programme will guide and advise the families and friends of the members of the Olympic and Paralympic teams in the run-up to and during the Games in London.

The Indonesian Olympic Committee celebrated its 60th anniversary on 11 March at a ceremony held in Senayan, Jakarta. NOC President and IOC member Rita Subowo made an opening speech recalling the history of the NOC and its participation in the Olympic Games since its recognition in 1952. Other speakers included Sports Ministry representative Djoko Pekik Irianto and former NOC President Agum Gumelar.

On 6 March at the headquarters of the Lithuanian NOC, a ceremony was held for the national winners of the IOC Art and Sport competition. The jury of experts selected schoolgirl Dovile Grigaliunaite as the winner of the graphical drawings category. Artist Vytautas Karciauskas, won the first prize in the sculpture category with his work entitled “Ecolympics Tree”. The prizes were handed out by NOC President Arturas Poviliunas, in the presence of the teachers and parents of the young artists, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Olympic champions Vida Venciene and Lina Kaciusyte.

ORGANISING COMMITTEES FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES
LONDON 2012
At the Global Sports Forum, held in Barcelona (Spain), the “International Inspiration” programme of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) was awarded the J.A. Samaranch Trophy for the most innovative sports-based project. LOCOG Chairman Sebastian Coe participated in a question-and-answer session on the 2012 Games during this Forum.

SOCHI 2014
The Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi in 2014 has announced the launch of a nationwide project for organising the live sites at the 2014 Games in Russia’s major cities. Spectators will be able to see and experience the Games on big screens. The cities of Krasnodar and Sochi are among the first to join this programme, and the first live sites will be opened in these cities to coincide with the 2012 Games in London. It is estimated that 30 million people will visit the Sochi 2014 live sites, giving almost every family in Russia the feeling that they are a part of this great Games experience.

TOP PARTNERS
Worldwide Olympic Partner Procter & Gamble has teamed up with the Greater London Authority (GLA) to launch the “P&G Capital Clean Up” campaign. The campaign encourages Londoners to come together in a show of community spirit and pride for a series of 22 clean-up events taking place across the capital from March to June.

For more information, please contact the IOC Media Relations Team.

Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/3/prweb9307694.htm

London Olympics International Inspiration Programme

LOCOG Chair Sees International 

Inspiration Programme in Action

London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) Chair Seb Coe has witnessed first-hand the benefits of the International Inspiration programme during a trip to Tanzania.

(PRWEB) February 08, 2012

London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) Chair Seb Coe has witnessed first-hand the benefits of the International Inspiration programme during a trip to Tanzania.

Based on the vision to reach young people all around the world, the international sports legacy programme has now reached more than 12 million young people in 20 countries. It is connecting them to the power of the Games and inspiring them to choose sport.

During his visit to Tanzania, Coe visited the Kibafila Secondary School and joined students for a series ofsports displays.

‘Important benefits’

Coe said that the commitment to the International Inspiration programme shown by Africa’s National Olympic and Paralympic Committees, schools, governments and partners helped to demonstrate the important benefits of sport in local communities and in children’s lives.

'International Inspiration goes to the heart of the London 2012 Games, and our determination to use the Games as a catalyst for change in people’s lives as well in communities, as we promised in our bid. There are many examples from the International Inspiration programme of how sport, and physical activity, can be the way for young people to build bridges with the communities where they live and beyond.'

'Like many around the world, it would also be a dream for me to see the Games staged on this continent and once the London 2012 Games are over, I will do what I can to help in efforts to bring the Games to Africa'.

Coe also met with Tanzanian Olympic officials, athletes and sports leaders and discussed preparations for the London 2012 Games, which he said were on time and centred on providing the optimum conditions for the athletes to perform at their best.

With the addition to the programme of Egypt earlier this month, a total of nine countries in Africa are involved with the International Inspiration programmes, more than any other continent.

Find out more about International Inspiration

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office.

Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/2/prweb9179008.htm