7/27/2010 -- City of London Celebrates Two-Year Countdown to the 2012 Games

LONDON - July 27, 2010 (Tuesday), the city started its celebration of the two-year countdown to the 2012 Games with testing its sports venues by star athletes, issuing a call for 78,000 volunteers and opening the first official souvenir store. Michael Johnson, a former 200- and 400-meter champion from USA, was racing on a specially laid track in the 80,000-capacity main stadium. British cyclist Chris Hoy, a four-time gold medalist, was the first to try out London's new velodrome. Mayor Boris Johnson stated during the celebration across the city: "We are on time and on budget ... What we need now are the people to help put on the greatest show on earth."

7/22/2010 -- London is getting ready for the two-year countdown of its Games

City of London is about to begin the two-year countdown to the opening ceremony of its Games ... July 27, 2010 ... London Games: two-year countdown. Today, the city Games officials announced the roof cover of the main stadium for the Games had been completed. The officials also commented that all other Games venues were on track to be completed in 2011. Other related infrastructures such as improvements to Stratford Regional Station are on track to ensure it can accommodate the increased number of visitors to Stratford and the Games Park during the London Games.

3/1/2010 -- We have just concluded another successful Games trip program

Although the Vancouver Games opened with tragedy, the athletes continued on to represent their countries for the next two weeks and many athletes made sports history. The United States dominated the Vancouver Games for the first time since 1932, having won 37 medals, including 9 gold. Canada, who invested $110 million to host this Winter event, was finally able to win gold medals, ending a 34-year stint. They also put up an amazing fight against the US, scoring the winning goal during over-time, to earn them the gold medal for men's hockey. Athletes, supporters, and fans, alike, are all looking to the future Games of 2014 in Sochi, Russia. Russia, being unable to bring home a gold medal for figure skating for the first time in 50 years and the forced resignation of certain sports officials, they now have to work harder than ever to prove themselves as the new host for the next Winter event. As the leading service provider, our Games trip to Vancouver was extremely successful. While getting our feet wet for the Sochi Games, City Travel is now working with thousands of its trip registers on the next biggest international sports event, the London Games.

10/2/2009 -- Rio Games in 2016, Putting the Games in South America for the First Time.

Rio de Janeiro beats surprise finalist Madrid in the last round of voting. Chicago was knocked out in the first round in one of the most shocking defeats ever handed down -- and Tokyo was eliminated in the second round. Rio had played heavily on the fact that South America has never previously hosted the games, while Europe, Asia and North America have done so repeatedly. Australia had one, too. Now, only Africa and Antarctica remain as continents that have not been awarded an Games.

9/30/2009 -- Leaders Are Rushing to Copenhagen to Lobby for Their Countries

IOC is set on October 2 (Friday) to vote on the host city for the 2016 games, choosing from Chicago, Tokyo, Madrid, or Rio de Janeiro. Nations' leaders are rushing to Copenhagen, where the vote is going to take place, for last-minute lobbying for their countries. Michelle Obama, the U.S. first lady, jetted into Copenhagen today and was getting almost straight to work on meeting with IOC members before the U.S. President Barack Obama arrives Friday to give a final push to Chicago's bid. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Spain's King Juan Carlos were also arriving as last-minute lobbying shifted to high gear. Japan's new prime minister, Yukio Hatoyama, is expected to arrive Thursday. Last-minute and high-powered lobbying can be important - as then, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie, proved when London was vying for the 2012 Games. Blair traveled to Singapore right before the IOC's final voting and spent two days lobbying IOC members, inviting them to his hotel suite for one-on-one meetings.

7/27/2009 -- London Games Starts Its 3-Year Countdown

AThree years today the eyes of the world will be on London as the Opening Ceremony of the XXX Games gets underway. The London games is going to be great! Mr. Sebastian Coe, the Chairman of LOCOG, stated: " ... today, three years to go - I know we can deliver a fantastic Games. I broke 13 world records during my career, and I don't intend to break a fourteenth by being the Chairman of an organisation that doesn't deliver the Games on time. This is the smartest, most creative, most diverse city on the planet. We have a great team and some wonderful partners helping us deliver at a city level."

7/15/2009 -- 16 Million Pound Investment for London Games Culture Program

An investment of 16 million pound (about $26 million US) towards the London Games culture program was announced today. The grant, from a national Lottery Distributor, will fund six of the major projects that feature in the Games. The major projects include an international Shakespeare festival; a UK-wide film project for young people; and 'World River' - a spectacular music festival just before the 2012 Games. There will also be a Festival of Carnivals; a project to enable young people to discover new places; and the UK's largest-ever celebration of disability art and culture. Launched last year, the four-year Cultural Program puts culture at the heart of the 2012 Games, encouraging participation and celebrating the cultures that make up the UK.

6/25/2009 -- Wimbledon Will Host Tennis Competition for the London Games

Located at south west London, near Richmond Park and the World Heritage Site of Kew Gardens, Wimbledon is the home of the famous Wimbledon tennis tournament since 1877. It is the only remaining major grass-court Tennis venue in the world. During the Games, Wimbledon will be used for the Tennis competition. Up to 30,000 people will be able to watch the players compete. Wimbledon has recently been updated with improved stands and a retractable roof for Centre Court. It will continue to host The Championships grand slam Tennis tournament each summer.

4/27/2009 -- The London Games Are on Time and on Budget

The International Coordination Commission for the London Games made its fourth visit to the Games site. Stated Commission Chairman Denis Oswald: We have been greatly impressed by the good progress made since our visit last year. He also said "The fast pace of development is no doubt down to the great spirit of cooperation that exists between the different partners involved in the 2012 project. Their ability to work as a team, plan ahead and solve issues together is ensuring that the Games and legacy planning remain on track as we head towards 2012." Oswald also said that LOCOG and the Games were not affected by the current financial crisis. This was attributed to the organizers foresight in lining up sponsors earlier on. As a result, the Games are on time and on budget.

4/10/2009 -- Chinese fireworks producers looking toward the next Games in London

CHANGSHA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- the mayor of China's most famous fireworks manufacturing city has said that Chinese fireworks producers are ready for the London Games. Many of the 200 new products and 60 new fireworks technologies that will debut in May at the 9th China International Fireworks are specially designed in hopes of being used at the 2012 London Games fireworks show, said Liang Zhong, mayor of Liuyang. The city of Liuyang is acknowledged as the cradle of, and the largest provider for the fireworks industry. The city produced the incredible fireworks displays at the Beijing Games. "In March we went to London at the invitation of the mayor, to meet officials with the Organizing Committee of the London Games," said Zhao Weiping, chief of the fireworks team for the 2008 Games opening and closing ceremonies. "They were very interested in our panda-shaped fireworks." Zhao stated that they were prepared to provide fireworks for the London games, and were working to make their products more environmentally friendly.

12/09/2008 -- Poll shows UK public strongly support 2012 Games

A nationwide survey indicates that enthusiasm for London staging the Summer stands at 78 percent - with more people interested in London 2012 and more believing that the Games will have a positive impact on their own lives and local communities. The poll shows that Britain's strong showing in the 2008 Beijing Games has led to increased enthusiasm about London 2012, along with a high level of confidence that the UK will stage a successful Games in four years time. The 78 percent pleased with London's hosting of the Games is an increase over the 76 percent approval rate in a survey a year ago. 73 percent of the respondents said they believed the Games would have a positive effect on the UK as a whole and 83 percent said the same about London. 83 percent believed that Britain could improve on its impressive winnings of 19 gold medals and fourth place at the medal table in Beijing. That is in increase over 2007, when only 42 percent who believed that Team Great Britain could do so well. Tessa Jowell, Games Minister, embraced the poll results: People are enthusiastic, interested and confident that we will stage a fantastic spectacle. They recognize the huge progress there has been in 2008 - starting construction on the two biggest venues months ahead of schedule, raising millions through private sector sponsorship and passing the halfway point in lottery ticket sales to pay for the facilities and infrastructure.

10/30/2008 -- Strong Ticket Sales for London 2012 Anticipated

Ticket sales for the 2012 London Games will not be adversely affected by a possible economic downturn, according to chief executive Paul Deighton, who has predicted that they will be in high demand even if there is a recession. Even though tickets will not go on sale for some time, the London organizing committee is already examining methods of ensuring that all venues in London will be full in 2012. Deighton said that he anticipates no problems with the corporate market being intact come 2012, but said a high priority was ensuring tickets were available to all customers. The first week of the Beijing Games saw some empty seats, which were reserved for VIPs, sponsors, athletes and the media. The London committee is looking for ways to use these seats if not be used at the time.

9/30/2008 -- London 2012 Mascot Search Begins

Creative agencies throughout Briton are being invited to take the first step towards developing the mascots for the London 2012 Games. The successful agency or consortium will be expected to create mascots that engage the public. The mascots will be present in many forms at the Games, such as toys, on clothing, in film and animation, video Games and in physical form. From the first official mascot, "Waldi" at the Munich 1972 Games, to the Beijing Games "Fuwa" this year, mascots are very popular and a key method of revenue generation. According to London 2012 Director Chris Townsend: "Those of us lucky enough to go to Beijing this summer saw first hand the magic of the mascots - whether it was the soft toy version, entertainment at a venue or simply photo opportunities at the airport. They help set the tone for the Games and we're very excited about kicking this process off today."

9/4/2008 -- London Receives Flag: Planning for 2012 Games Moves Ahead

With a presentation featuring break dancing, hip hop and ballet dance performers, music by Jimmy Paige and Leona Lewis, and an appearance by soccer superstar Beckham, the Baton for the Games was passed from Beijing to London. At the same time over 400 flags were raised across Britain to mark the countdown to the 2012 Games. Celebrations and street parties broke out as well, with the biggest party staged just outside of Buckingham Palace, where 40,000 showed up for a rock concert. With elation, the chairman of the London organizing committee and former distance runner Sebastian Coe stated that he was looking forward to building upon the excitement generated by the spectacular success of the Beijing Games. London Mayor Boris Johnson promised a great show in 2012 that he said will draw on the wit, flair, imagination and ingenuity of the British people. For example, they are considering to having the celebration stretch across the entire city instead of in a single stadium, at both the opening and closing ceremonies.

8/25/2008 -- Successful End to Beijing Games

With nations around the world praising the success of the Beijing Games, the five-ring flag has been passed on to London for the 2012 Games. After a Games session that had athletes from 204 countries setting new records and displaying jaw-dropping performances, the spectacular closing ceremonies highlighted the successful ending of the Games in Beijing. Even Mr. Jacques Rogge, the IOC President, admitted that it might be unlikely we would ever see a Games as extravagant as the one hosted by China. However, people from Great Britain might not agree. From the moment when London's mayor Boris Johnson took over the flag at the Bird-Nest stadium in Beijing, the Legacy of the Games was moving on. London is looking forward to their turn at hosting the next Games, but with a different set of ideas to energize the world's Games spectators.