London is all set to host the XXX Olympiad scheduled to be held from 27 July-12 August 2012. This is not the first time that London is hosting the high profile Olympic Games. The city had already hosted two Olympic Games in the past, in the years 1908 and 1948 respectively. Much preparation has gone into the development of the infrastructure for the venue after the 117th IOC Session declared London as the host city for 2012 Olympics. The venues for the 2012 London Olympics are divided into three zones: the Olympic zone, the River zone and the Central zone. Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Wembley Arena, Earls Court Exhibition Centre, Wimbledon All England Club, The O2 Arena, the Excel Centre and Lord's Cricket Ground are some of the venues for the London 2012 Olympics.
Enormous expenditure has been incurred for staging the high-profile events. The funding for the Games has been raised mainly from the central government; and partly from National Lottery, Mayor of London, the London Development Agency, merchandising, broadcast rights and ticketing. Qualifying athletes from over 204 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will participate at the 2012 London Olympics.
The Olympics torch relay is scheduled to run from 19 May-27 July 2012. The torch relay will be delivered on 18 May 2012 from Greece. The torch relay is expected to run for 70 days. About 7,300 inspiring people will participate as torchbearers carrying the Olympic flame across 1,000 communities, villages, towns and cities. The Olympic torch will journey across 8,000 miles starting from Land's End in Cornwall. The torch relay includes 66 evening celebrations and will concentrate on National Heritage Sites, Live Sites, biodiversity, green spaces, key sporting events, schools registered with the Get Set School Network, festivals and others. On an average, about 115 torchbearers will carry the Olympic flame in a day. The torch will arrive at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the Olympics Opening Ceremony.
The opening ceremony of the London 2012 Summer Olympics will flag off with the musical 'The Isles of Wonder'. Danny Boyle, the Oscar award-winning director has directed the spectacular opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. The Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II will preside over the opening ceremony and officially open the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Tight security arrangements have been made by the British government. Over 13,500 armed forces and 10,000 police will be deployed at the venues. Naval and air assets, Euro-fighter jets and surface-to-air missiles also forms the part of the security deployment during the 2012 London Olympics.
The 2012 London Olympic Games promises to be most exciting event for the spectators and a moment to shine for athletes to celebrate the spirit of the Olympic Games.
The most awaited event of the year- the London 2012 Olympics will be held from 27 July 2012 - 12 August 2012.