The London 2012 Olympics

The city of London has been seeing send to hosting the 30th Olympic Games since beating out their rival, Paris, to be awarded the event. They were awarded the games on July 6th, 2005 beating out Moscow, New York, Madrid and then finally Paris in the last round. London will become the first to host the Summer Games three times and, while the Games in Beijing are a hard one to follow, London is working hard at putting its own stamp on the event.

The London 2012 Olympics will take place between July 27th and August 12th, 2012. The Games are anticipated to attract thousands of tourists in a city that is already favorite with visitors and crammed with it's own locals. In preparation, London is revamping their transportation principles in order to be able to cope with the influx. Improvements to the transportation network were key in winning the bid and the goal of Olympic organizers is to have 100% of spectators arriving by social vehicle and 80% of athletes a short 20 limited commute from their event.

London Olympic

The London 2012 Olympic venues will be a mix of old and new facilities, along with some historic London landmarks. Anxious not to repeat the Millennium Dome mistake, organizers have been sure to include plans for downsizing venues for use in the future and some will be temporary or moved to a new location after the Games.

The London Olympics have not been without controversy, the major issue being financing. A funds of £5.3 billion was announced for the building of infrastructure and venues for the Games and a added £1.7 billion has been earmarked for the regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley where much of the Games is to be held. Assorted other costs are anticipated to add a added £2.7 billion to the budget. With the amount of money being spent, there are many vocal anti-Olympics groups.

The logo has also been a source of controversy due to the poor response it has received along with the amount spent on it. The fact that the logo, that favorite notion says sucks, cost £400,000 has angered a lot of people.

Tickets are due to go on sale in the spring of 2011 with an estimated 8 million tickets ready for the Olympics and 1.5 million for the Paralympics. The London Olympics will highlight 26 sports and 38 disciplines with baseball and softball being dropped from the Games 2 days after London was awarded the bid. Women's boxing will be an event for the first time.

The London 2012 Olympics are being touted as the eco-friendly Games, and a lot is being done to assure that they are environmentally friend and sustainable. The city's waterways are being regenerated and a large amount of parkland is being set aside for visitors to explore.

London is a splendid city with a lot to offer any visitor, even when the Olympics aren't on. The Summer Olympics is sure to bring with it a splendid atmosphere and bring London's multicultural residents together while still maintaining a cordial rivalry. London is sure to be a great host for one of the world's premier events.

The London 2012 Olympics

London 2012 Olympics Will Bring Out London's Best

While London always has its doors open for visitors, the Summer Olympics 2012 will have the city's tourism engine in high gear. If you have ever considered England as a vacation destination, this will be the opening of a lifetime to see how adept the Brits are at putting on grand events. So, mark your calendar, get your tickets and pack your bags.

Since London is already one of the most visited cities on the planet, organizers are anticipating and preparing for a immense turnout. The British are well known for their concentration to information and there is no doubt that the Olympic venues, accommodations and communication facilities will impress the multitudes of tourists. Also, hundreds of local establishments will offer extra entertainment opportunities.

London 2012

Naturally, the town stage will be the gigantic 80,000 seat Olympic Stadium. This is the central location where many of the games will be held, as well as the gala opening and conclusion ceremonies. In addition, numerous athletic events will take place all around town, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to see a collection of sites in this historic city while taking in the games.

London is ideally great for hosting the games, having plenty of existing facilities available face the main stadium and many of these spots are famed attractions in themselves. For example, Wembley Stadium will welcome football fans and Wimbledon,of course, will host Olympic tennis. famed Hyde Park will feature triathlon events, while Earl's Court will lend space for volleyball.

Likewise, sightseers will be treated to competitions at the Lord's Cricket Ground, the Royal Artillery Barracks and Regent's Park. Greenwich Park, the Horse Guards Parade and scenic Hadleigh Farm will also supply settings for a collection of events. These are all famed sites on the lists of quarterly travelers and will be all the more festive during the games.

As anyone who has visited London knows, there are many accommodations options available and these will indeed be ramped up for the games. In expanding to hotels that fit nearly any budget, there will be hostels, apartments and houses for rent to give guests a place to lay their heads.

Special concentration will also be given to communication needs for interesting millions of citizen around the city. The famed black cabs will be out in force and the airport, rail and bus systems will be operating at peak capacity. Those who have a opening to visit during the games will indeed feel scenic London at its liveliest.

The Summer Olympics 2012 in London promises to be one of the premier sporting extravaganzas of the century. However, the opening will gift a splendid opening for everyone, fans and non-fans alike, as London rolls out the red floor covering to visitors from around the world.

London 2012 Olympics Will Bring Out London's Best

2012 London Olympic Games Controversy and Economic Realities

It seems as always the 2012 Olympic Games which will be hosted in London are not without a wee controversy. This should be anticipated by any host nation staging such a heavy event with such profound historical implications. The other day I was discussing all this with a Londoner, and a well known controversial blogger, one who refuses to go the way of the quiet and article mass media reporters and commentators.

Yes, I speak of Josh Aggars who agreed to be interviewed by me. When I asked Josh about one of the most controversial topics of London today, he writes; "Ok well why don't we start with something topical like the Olympics and see where we get to. I was mental a title like "Hosting the Olympics is of no possible value to the host city". Discuss!"

London 2012

Ah Ha! Just as anticipated Aggars once again refuses to sit tight and stick to the easy controversies such as the Anti-Average Mustard Committee, who requires Grey Poupon on their French Deli Sandwiches, and refuses to accept anything but the top grade mustard. No, Josh tells it like he is and challenges the status quo with all the chaos and controversy they themselves so dutifully love to sweep under their carpets. Okay and to Joshua Aggars comments I say;

Well, I wouldn't say there is "No" possible value, but I would say generally speaking (historically) it has been overstated by the hosting country's local economic development associations, politicians, governments, tourist boards, and insiders using all sorts of propaganda, Pr, publicity, and promotion. Also, the drawbacks have also been understated, as well as the unintended consequences; security costs, risks of terrorist event, outbreaks, and devaluation of property after the games.

Further, I'd like to say I am very Pro-Olympics! I think it brings the world together, unites humans, celebrates the best "we" can be together, and it prevents future conflicts by arrival together in world-wide games. This opens communication and it allows all of us to sense triumph over adversity and thus, strengthens the whole of world community as well as each personel human. It's a good thing, but that doesn't mean the hosting country will reap the rewards of the billions in outlay for the Olympic Village, or that the tourism will pay for it all and put their city or nation back on the world-wide map.

Often countries and cities have all to lose and wee to gain especially in the short term. Over the long-haul, they must deal with the real estate's economic fallout issues of those properties. I mean in reality what are they actually good for other than the Olympics? Now then, it seems that the National pride, ego, and credit even if temporary does inspire countries to bid on having the right to host the Olympic Games.

We should continue to retain the Olympic Games because it highlights sportsmanship, perseverance, force of character, commitment, competition, will, and human intent - and all that is good about human beings. We should duplicate the whole of contests, and have the Olympic Games every two-years in my opinon. Why, because we have more countries participating and more athletes - and it will keep us closer, as our world is forced to recognize our separate cultures, and address the conflicts or politics, economics, human rights, resources, religion, etc. I thus, remain Pro-Olympics, we all should.

The Olympic Games should be looked at as an venture in peace, humanity, and history, not just as a piece of real estate or an economic fiasco/bonanza. There is just more to it than that. But you know what - Josh Aggars brings up a very important point, and I knew he would. So, please reconsider all this.

2012 London Olympic Games Controversy and Economic Realities

Home change for the 2012 London Olympics

The London Olympics may still seem some time away but hundreds of hotel rooms are already fully booked and rooms that are still ready are often hiked up at overly inflated prices.

However, if you are intending to visit the Uk there is no good room than staying in a real London home. Home Base Holidays is a reputable, long-established London-based home replacement business that for over 25 years has helped to arrange thousands of home swap vacations. With a huge range of Uk homes, from city central 1-beds all the way to historic castles in the countryside, you're sure to find something that fits your needs. Oh and don't forget... Home replacement means free accommodation!

London Olympic

In expanding to the Olympics London is also host to the first-rate tennis tournament, Wimbledon. It is also home to some of the worlds most predominant attractions - visit the Crown Jewels and learn the infamous history of the Tower of London, walk in the footsteps of the notorious Jack The Ripper, or see if the Queen is home at Buckingham Palace... Followed by a spot of shopping at the gloriously decadent Harrods agency store. You're sure to find something for you in England's capital city.

If you are a Londoner but the Olympics is just not your cup of tea - you too might want to reconsider a home exchange. Offer your home during the Olympics and you could have your pick of thousands of wonderful home swap vacations worldwide.

Visit Home Base Holidays to view their home swap offers in London and throughout the world!

Home change for the 2012 London Olympics

The London Olympics - manufacture It Happen

Building an Olympic Games is no mean feat. It's not just a matter of erecting a few stadia and swimming pools. There are all sorts of infrastructure and vehicle facilities to create, as well as a inheritance to leave for underprivileged areas. And a lot of the London Olympics site is on contaminated land which has first to be cleaned up before any building work can begin.

The task for the 2012 London Olympics is so huge that the building Skills Network currently believes that the scheme will need to attract a additional 182,000 builders to be ready on time. This includes a range of trades, for example 13,000 more bricklayers and 15,000 extra plumbers. Workers will be needed in 2011 in particular. That will be the most labour oppressive time, in the run up to the Games.

London 2012

In total the Csn believes 2.8 million building workers will need to be working in the Uk as a whole as we arrival 2012. This outline includes 122,000 bricklayers, 161,000 decorators, 211,000 electricians and 189,000 plumbers. While the Olympic settlement is going up other projects will need to carry on - there are always new hospitals, schools, roads, homes and other buildings to be built and it can't all stop for the Olympics.

To achieve this, a lot of migrant workers from overseas will be relied upon but there are also assorted training schemes being set up to attract habitancy into the trades. These comprise the National Skills Academy for building which aims to train habitancy on-site on large building projects, with building firms taking the lead and deciding which skills gaps need to be addressed. There are other training schemes available too, and the Government has highlighted the need to encourage women into the industry.

Of policy hosting the Olympics means providing sporting facilities on a huge scale. The Olympic Stadium will be a bowl with seating for 80,000 people. It will be the heart of the event, hosting the opportunity and closing ceremonies and all athletics competitions. Then there will be an aquatics centre where swimming, synchronised swimming, diving, water polo and the contemporary pentathlon will take place, with a total capacity of 22,500 seats. Next, the velodrome which will have room for 6,000 spectators and additional arenas for fencing, hockey, handball and basketball. Together they will have seating for a additional 48,000 people.

Its plan that up to 180,000 spectators will visit the Games daily so its not only the venues, but the infrastructure that will have to be ready. vehicle links, numerous walkways and footbridges and loop roads need to be built. And of policy everybody will want to eat, be entertained, buy their Olympics souvenirs and if essential get medical attention, so catering and other facilities are also being constructed.

One issue that's of famous importance to athletes is being near their sporting venue. The Olympic village, which will house 17,000 people, aims to ensure that nobody is more than twenty minutes from their stadium or arena, minimising wasteful trip time for sportsmen and officials. But not only will it house competitors, it will also have shops, restaurants, medical and media facilities, leisure facilities and open spaces for habitancy to relax in. Every apartment will have internet way and lifts and will be used later for much needed housing in the area.

There will be 7.7 million tickets on sale for the London Olympics and the aim is to get as many spectators as potential to arrive at venues by public transport, cycling and on foot. This will involve a huge whole of logistical work. For example the plan is to have a 7 minuscule train link in the middle of central London and the Olympic Park.

The Olympics should be a spectacular, event - a showpiece for British sport but also for British building work. The Olympic settlement will become an internationally recognised location in a hitherto neglected area - that alone may encourage many to become builders and help make it happen.

The London Olympics - manufacture It Happen

Colombia - Women & Sports!

Road to London 2012!

Ximena Restrepo Gaviria

Olympics 2012

Did you know- By the early 1990s, Colombia's sprinter Ximena Restrepo Gaviria caused a sensation when she earned a bronze medal in the women's 400m at the Summer Games in the Spaniard city of Barcelona. She is one of the few Hispanic sprinters to win an Olympic medal. Inspired by Juana Mosquera and Eucaris Caicedo, she won many international events in America, South America and Europe during the years from 1985 and 1992. In that time, Colombia's Olympic ambassador Restrepo Gaviria was the toast of the Latin American sporting community.By September 1988, she came in 34th place, ahead of Joyce Odhiambo (Kenya, Africa) and Gaily Dube (Zimbabwe, Africa), in the women's 200m in the Summer Games in South Korea, among 51 athletes. After her retirement from the national team, South America's sprinters were never as successful again at the Summer Olympic Games.

Alicia Mora Romero

Did you know- By 2004, the nation's athlete Alicia Mora Romero came in fifth place in the women's 49-kilogram category at the Olympic Taekwondo Tournament in Athens (Greece).

Leidy Yessenia Solis

Did you know- Weightlifter Leidy Yessenia Solis, 17, won the gold medal in the women's 69-kilogram category at the Junior World Championships in Prague (Czech Republic) in 2007. Since then, she should be a medal contender in the 2012 London Olympics.

Olga Lucia Angulo

Did you know- At the 1970 Central American and Caribbean Games in Panama City, Colombia's swimmer Olga Lucia Angulo won two gold medals.

Basketball

Did you know- Colombia hosted the Women's Basketball World Championship in the mid-1970s. Despite having one of the best basketball players in Latin America, Sofia Nieto, the local team lost all six of its matches. At that year, they came in sixth place in the 7th Pan American Games, behind America, Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, and Canada. During the Games in the United Mexican States, Colombia beat El Salvador 96-59. Nine years later, surprisingly, Colombia defeated Brazil 62-51 and won the South American Championship. By 1983, the team of Brazil had won the bronze medal in women's basketball at the 9th Pan American Games in Venezuela. The South American winners, under the direction of Guillermo Moreno Rumie, were Consuelo Aristazabal, Maria de Jesús Arizala, Gloria Gomez, Elizabeth Hinestroza, Irene Lamprea, Miriam León, Norma Lozano, Margarita Marti, Patricia Ordoñez, Gloria Ortiz, Yaneth Torijano, and Monica Villasmil. The women's basketball squad of Colombia is the sixth South American team to win the Continental Tournament, after Chile (1946), Argentina (1948), Paraguay (1952), Brazil (1954), and Peru (1977).

Colombia - Women & Sports!

Sports in Angola - Interesting Facts & Figures!

Road to London 2012!

Barcelona 1992

Olympics 2012

Did you know- Between July 25 and August 9, 1992, the Angolan Olympic Committee, sent 29 athletes to the Summer Games in Barcelona, Spain. The African nation competed in seven sports: basketball (11), boxing (1), roller hockey (11), judo (4), swimming (3), sailing (3), and track & field (6).

Basketball

Did you know- Basketball is very popular because basketball is a traditional sport with a long history in the African nation. Curiously, from the 1980s to the 2000s, Angola -a war-torn nation -- boasted one of the best basketball teams in the Third World. By 1992, the Angolan squad came in 10th place, among 12 teams, in theMen's Olympic Games Basketball Tournament in Barcelona (Spain). Eight years ago, they had won the silver medal in the Under-20 African Championship. By 1987, against all odds, Angola -a Portuguese-speaking republic located in southern Africa-- won the gold medal in men's basketball at the African Games in Nairobi (Kenya). Before 1987, the men's basketball squad of Angola had placed 20th in the World Championships in Spain. In the Spanish city of Ferrol, the Africans were the most popular basketball players; there Angola had defeated Australia 74-69. In addition to this, the country -one of the least-developed states in Africa-finished 13th in the universal competition in South America in the early 1990s. By 1996, it placed 11th in the Games of the XXVI Olympiad in Atlanta, Georgia (US).

Football

Did you know- Angola's first major international success came at the FIFA World Cup in 2006. During that global event, the men's football squad came in 23rd place, between Croatia (Europe) and Tunisia (North Africa). The best players were Flavio da Silva Amado, Joao Ricardo Pereira dos Santos Batalha, and Fabrice Alcebiades Maieco, in that order.

Los Angeles 1984

Did you know- The Angolan Olympic Committee, under pressure from Cuba and the Soviet Union, boycotted the 1984 Summer Games in the Los Angeles, California, USA. Four years ago, Angola made its Olympic debut in the Games of the XXII Olympiad in Moscow, USSR (present-day Russia). On the other hand, Angola is one of the youngest members of the Olympic family.

Men's Handball

Did you know- The men's handball team came in 15th place at the Under-20 World Championships.

Sports

Did you know- The most popular sports are soccer, athletics, basketball, roller hockey, and handball.

Women's Handball

Did you know- The national squad came in seventh place in women's handball at the 1996 Summer Games in the United States of America. During that international event, Angola, under coach Alberto Junior's tutelage, defeated America (host nation) 24-23. The country also qualified for the Sydney Olympics in 2000. By the 1990s, the women's handball team from Angola competed in five world championships (1990, 1993, 1995, 1997, and 1999). At the 1997 World Cup, the national delegation placed 15th, ahead of Japan, South Korea, and Canada.

Sports in Angola - Interesting Facts & Figures!

Construction Topic - Can The Olympic Stadium of the 2012 London Games Be Converted?

When hosting cities put on the Olympic Games, they often have left incredible facilities that go unused, however if things are properly planned in advance this doesn't need to happen. Unfortunately, in hindsight it has. In reviewing the 2012 Olympic Games in London a huge stadium and facilities will be built, but it looks as if it may be torn down afterwards and rebuilt on the same footprint to be later used for soccer, which is a major national sport of course in England.

One concept is to elevate the stands and add additional tiers of seats - more rows and boxes, etc. My acquaintance there in England explained to me that: "This was discussed at length at the start of the design process but football was rejected at that time as being a potential post games occupant. As such the stadium was never designed with movable stands in mind and cannot be retro fitted, without considerable additional expense, to accommodate such a solution as is available at the Stade de France in Paris."

Olympics 2012

Indeed, now that's a problem, a real waste, well maybe they could dig down another layer for the future soccer field, maybe after this is all completed? Or here is a an interesting idea; maybe we can invent a new sport? Ha ha ha.

Either way, that facility must not remain unoccupied and to tear down a stadium that cost 10s of billions to construct is unthinkable, that level of waste is unacceptable, especially now when the population is paying for the economic crisis, one they were not necessarily party to creating. Besides that think of the destruction of history, after all, the Olympic Games are where human history is often made! Still, my acquaintance has noted some of the other challenges with converting the stadium to soccer (Football in England's vocabulary).

When clubs are relegated from the Premier League to the Championship attendance levels can drop considerably as the standard of football on offer is significantly reduced. A lot of 'fair weather' fans disappear from regular attendance and only the hard core regulars remain. In addition West Ham has always been situated in one of the most deprived areas of London and as such have always been affected by prevailing economic conditions.

No one said such a challenge was going to be easy to overcome, but that doesn't mean it cannot be conquered. And if the area changes its economic standing through proper re-development, perhaps the stadium and surrounding facilities could become an anchor of sorts to further economic growth moving forward.

However, if the architects, planners, and construction strategies are in place, these things can be worked out in advance, if not, history will likely repeat in England, with unused facilities slowly deteriorating into real estate waste! Please consider all this.

Construction Topic - Can The Olympic Stadium of the 2012 London Games Be Converted?

Sports in Indonesia - From Badminton to Soccer!

Road to the 2012 London Olympics!

Summer Olympics

London Olympic

Did you know- By 1980, Indonesia -as Thailand, Singapore and other anti-Marxists states - boycotted the Summer Olympics in the Soviet Union. The 1980 Moscow Olympic was boycotted by the Indonesian rule, under the dictatorship of Suharto (1967-1998) in protest the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. Also that, Jakarta had not polite ties with the Ussr. After this event, it competed in the next Olympics.

Badminton

Did you know- At the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing (People's Republic of China), the Olympic team of Indonesia done 7th in the medal count, with 30 medals (3 gold, 6 silver, 21 bronze), behind China, South Korea, Japan, North Korea, Iran, and Pakistan. After all those foremost results, Indonesia - a nation with about 15 percent of the world's Muslims-- competed in the 25th Olympiad in Barcelona (Spain), where Alan Budi Kusama and Susi Susanti, both national heroes in Jakarta (the capital city of Indonesia), won gold medals in badminton, one of the most favorite sports in Southeast Asia, together with football and sepak takraw. In Europe, the Asian nation placed 24th in the medal count. Four years later, at the 1996 Atlanta Games, Indonesia took 41st place in the unofficial team championships. Once again, the country earned medals in badminton: Rey Mainaky and Ricky Subagja won the Olympic title in the men's doubles.

Asian Games

Did you know- By the mid-1960s, Indonesia won the right to host the V Asian Games. For political reasons, the country's dictator Achmed Sukarno refused to allow Israel and Taiwan to compete in the Asian Games.

Volleyball

Did you know- In the Fivb World Tournament in the early 1980s, the women's volleyball team had a tough championship: On September 13, 1982 Peru -the host nation's team-- beat Indonesia 3-0 (15-2, 15-0, 15-3). In the next day, Indonesia lost 3-0 (15-2, 15-7, 15-6) to Canada. Subsequently, Indonesia defeated Nigeria (African champion) 3-0 (15-8, 15-6, 15-7). Finally, Indonesia beat Chile 3-2 and came in 21st place out of 23 teams. It was the first time the national team had participated at the Fivb World Championships.

Football

Did you know- By the late 1950s, the host country's team done third place, after Taiwan and South Korea, in the Asian Games of Jakarta. It was the first time the national team had won a medal.

2008 Beijing Olympics

Did you know- At the 2008 Summer Olympics in the People's Republic of China, the Indonesian team done 42nd in the medal count, with five medals (1 gold, 1 silver, and 3 bronze). The Asian nation had sent 24 champs to Beijing.

Sports in Indonesia - From Badminton to Soccer!