London tour - Top Things to Do in London

When in London make sure you don't miss these London highlights.

2012 Olympic Games will be held in London on 27 July-12 Aug 2012, which makes London the first city to hold the Olympic Games three times, having hosted the games previously in 1908 and 1948. The 2012 Paralympic Games will be held on 29 Aug-9 Sept 2012.

London 2012

Original London Sightseeing Tour (Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour) is an open-top double-decker bus for visitors to enjoy London's most predominant attractions on 3 tour routes. The tours visit Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, The London Dungeon, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower of London, Covent Garden, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Madame Tussauds, Shakespeare's Globe, The London Eye, London Bridge, London Aquarium, and Westminster Abbey. The Museum Tour gives you easy access to many of London's top Museums, shops and attractions such as Kensington Palace, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Ritz Hotel, Piccadilly Circus, British Museum, Royal Albert Hall, Albert Memorial, & the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain.

Trafalgar square is thought about the centre of London and home to Nelson's Column which was completed in 1843 to commemorate Admiral Nelson's victory over Napoleon off Cape Trafalgar, Spain in 1805. To the north of the square is the National Gallery and to the south-east is Admiralty Arch, built to honour Queen Victoria. Beyond the Arch is The Mall foremost to Buckingham Palace.

Whitehall is the avenue, foremost from Trafalgar square to Parliament Square, lined with government buildings and is the town of British government. Along Whitehall is Downing street, the site of the Prime Minister's home. Further along is Big Ben, the predominant tower clock, the Houses of Parliament and Westminister Abbey setting for royal coronations since 1066 and most recently that of Queen Elizabeth Ii in 1953.

The Tower of London dates from 1078 and was London's primary royal fortress. In the middle ages the Tower of London acted as a royal residence, treasury, mint and a prison. Settled near the Tower Bridge on the Thames River, the Tower is a very favorite tourist attraction where visitors can view the Crown Jewels, the various towers, Armouries, Barracks, Chapel and the tower green where seven people (including two of his wives) were beheaded while the reign of King Henry Viii.

Tower Bridge is the predominant 19th century bridge over the Thames River Settled by the Tower of London. The bridge was an architectural and engineering marvel featuring a drawbridge so tall-masted ships could pass underneath. Tourists can take the Tower Bridge touch to visit the north tower and motor room to learn how the bridge is operated.

Hms Belfast is a large, light cruiser naval ship that was built in Belfast, Ireland and launched in 1938. The Belfast served in many theatres of war while Wwii and the Korean War. The ship is moored on the Thames near the Tower Bridge and open to visitors.

The London Eye is a large Ferris observation wheel Settled on the South Bank of the Thames River giving visitors spectacular views over London.

London Dungeon is a gruesome touch of London's past where visitors can learn about and see reconstructions of executions, the French Guillotine in action, Jack the Ripper's handiwork and various other ingenious methods of torture.

Winston Churchill's Britain at War touch is an educational attraction about World War Ii. Visitors are taken into a reconstruction of an incommunicable middle point and expand straight through rooms displaying wartime themes emerging into a shop that has been destroyed by a bomb.

Shakespeare's Globe & Exhibition is the reconstructed Globe Theatre popularised by William Shakespeare and an exhibition on Elizabethan London.

Buckingham Palace is the lawful London abode of the Queen and the most predominant palace in London. Settled at the end of The Mall, the palace was built in 1803 for the Duke of Buckingham and has been the London home for the royal family since 1837. Open for tours while the summer months only. Changing of the Guard takes place on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace every day at 11.30am while summer and on odd days the rest of the year.

Charles Dickens' House, Settled at 49 Doughty road Wc1, is where he wrote his predominant novels - Oliver Twist, The Pickwick Papers and Nicholas Nickleby.

St Paul's Cathedral was built by Sir Christopher Wren between 1675 and 1710, after the 1666 Great Fire of London. The walkway nearby the base of the dome has such good acoustics that it forms a "Whispering Gallery." The stairs continue to the Stone Gallery and up to the Golden Gallery for one of the best views over central London.

London Imax Cinema is the largest in Europe screening 2-D and 3-D movies and documentaries.

London Aquarium is one of the largest in Europe featuring a wide range of maritime life along with sharks and a coral reef display.

The London Eye, also known as the 'Millenium Wheel', is one of the world's largest Ferris wheels with 32 enclosed gondolas that give visitors spectacular views over the capital. [Operates daily, opposite Big Ben and Houses of Parliament]

Kensington Palace dates from 1605 and has been the home of many royals along with Princess Margaret and Princess Diana. Queen Victoria was born here in 1819. Visitors can take a tour of the State Apartments from 10am to 5pm daily.

Hampton Court Palace was built in 1514 and became the abode of King Henry Viii. The palace has a long history and visitors can tour the stately rooms and get lost in the predominant 300 year old maze.

Madame Tussaud's is the predominant and very favorite wax museum exhibiting movie stars, pop stars, world leaders and the royal family. The Spirit of London taxi ride takes visitors straight through a summary of London's history while the accommodation of Horrors displays the darker side to human nature.

London Planetarium is Settled next to Madame Tussaud's and has wax figures of great scientists as well as a great show of the stars and planets.

As you can see there is a lot to do in London - one visit will not be enough!

London tour - Top Things to Do in London

London 2012 Olympics

London is gearing up as the Olympics 2012 is nearing. Just 17 months left for London to show the world its excellence in hosting the Olympics for the third time. It is an honor for the Brits as the capital city is going to host the Olympic Games after 64 years beating Moscow, New York City, Madrid and Paris.

London is a city that has lots of traveler traffic. And, 2012 is going to be huge! Organizers are pulling out all the stops in preparing and putting on the grand event of 2012 in their capital city. Building in the city, enhancement of transportation, Building and remodeling of hotels, arrangements for easy access to distinct facilities and local establishments for entertainment are lasting at a fast pace to ensure that the 2012 Olympics in London go down in history as one of the best ever!

London 2012

With international travellers heading to London for the Olympics, transportation and chamber is being worked out at utmost importance. access to all parts of the city and also the Uk is enhanced through group and underground transportation. underground vehicle clubs are working to ensure that they can adapt passengers in their vehicles. The grounds and stadiums are undergoing maintenance. Security measures are best set in place visitors and players alike.

With notable attractions throughout the city, visitors can have great time during the breaks they take from watching the games. With 80,000 seats, the tickets for the games are improbable to be sold soon. So, accommodation, trip and tickets are going to be competitive unless planned in advance. Instead of going for extremely costly charges at the last minute, great make arrangements in advance. Plan your agenda and start working on it.

Hotels are getting booked fast. So, make sure you book early for an airport hotel or hotel close to the Olympic Stadium. It's going to be busy between July 27, 2012 and August 12, 2012. So, do not delay. Make a decision to which airport to land, what mode of vehicle to use, where to stay, where to visit for pleasure, where to have appetizing food and shop distinct goods and accessories. London presents to you the best in all ranges. So, you can make your trip more memorable by preplanning your days in London and staying free without any hassles. Get started... London is the ideal place for all expectations...Have your desires fulfilled in London...

London 2012 Olympics

Olympics 2012 - The Best Yet

The Olympics have changed a itsybitsy bit since the first games in 776Bc when a naked cook named Coroebus became the first Olympian by winning the only event scheduled, the Stade which is a race of about 210 yards. Since that historic event the Olympics were held every fours years for over 1200 years only to be abolished in 393Ce by the Christian emperor Theodosios I who believed the Olympics wreaked of Pagan influences. Luckily, 1500 years later a Frenchman by the name of Pierre De Coubertin had the proximity of mind to revitalize and begin a new era for the Olympics.

Since then the games have had their trials and tribulations but they have come to be the moniker of the importance of competitive sports events in fostering pride in one's country. The 2012 Olympics are inescapable to be the best games ever held. The addition of new sports and the technological advancements of bringing the games into every house in the world will make the games one of the most watched events in history. Being able to take part in cheering on the Olympians gives population throughout the world excitement and wonder watching the competitors give their all and push their talents and their bodies to the ultimate test.

London 2012

The originators of the Olympics back in 776 Bc would be proud of where the games have gone. The basic installation is the same to push athletes to their max, but the games themselves have come to be an international harbinger of good will. Sure, there are occasionally spats between countries where one country or someone else has withdrawn or is banned from attending, but broad it has been a good natured way for countries to compete against each other for fun and fascination. The games have been the stuff dreams are made of for those who are good sufficient to compete.

You can bet that even as you read this, preparations are already being made in London for the 2012 Olympic games. And, that is someone else thing the Olympic games offer, their host cities always get an economic boost from the games and come to be a part of competitive athletic history. The Olympic grounds of any country come to be permanent reminders of these remarkable historical events steeped in challenge and victory. Londoners are already ramped up and excited about hosting the world and showing off their city to all the athletes and fans. Soon it will be here. Come on the 2012 Olympics, I cant wait!

Olympics 2012 - The Best Yet

Hotels in Central London Are Consistently Maintaining the inheritance of British Crown

London is the oldest city which is constantly maintaining its glorifying history. Practically thousand years ago from the era of commercial revolution, London has been maintaining its identification as global trade centre which can be seen today in form of its diversified society. Approximately, 300 languages are spoken and 50 non-indigenous communities are living there and hence it is known as 'city of cities'. Even today, it is the prime centre for finance, education, law, accountancy and so on.

Today, millions of visitors like students, lawyers, businessmen and many more are coming to London and it is clear to understand that dissimilar people have dissimilar budgets for the tour. Students may have lesser funds than a businessman. Every person wants to stay close to the place where they want to visit. Hence, central London hotels are the first choice for everyone. Central London is close to varied celebrated destinations like St. Paul's cathedral, tower of London, Tower Bridge, house of parliament, Buckingham palace and many more. These are prime tourist centers and Practically all tourists come to these places. Top museums and galleries are also situated in this area like Madame Tussaud's, the British museum, the national gallery and so on. All hotels in central London are perfectly aware with the need of tourists. So they offer collection of alternates.

London 2012

These hotels offer exquisite value for money. Up-to-date statistical reports recommend that London tourism is earning Practically £15 billion every year. Cozy-comfort room with amazing cuisine in the hotels is one of the key factors of rapidly growing London tourism.

2012 Olympic is a very special event and hotels in central London are also gearing up to welcome millions of first time visitors. They are thought about to make very special and memorable visit of all visitors with their world class services.

Central London hotels are representing the heritage of London. It gives the feel of royal and rich culture of great London to its visitors. Five or seven star hotels are right on ready to mesmerize their customers and if one can not afford it than funds hotels are also gearing up for mesmerizing them with the low cost and best services.

Many headquarters of dissimilar business organizations are based in central London. So central London hotels are automatically become the centre of attraction to those tourists who are coming here with business purposes. These hotels are also ready to supply them the best seminar rooms and frequent shuttle services to all business locations. business trips are very tedious and these hotels understand it perfectly. Hence, they offer all possible facilities of recreation to supply special yoga facilities and spa services. These services are also available for other tourist with the cheap price.

London tourism is rapidly growing and in effect it may be the estimate one tourist hub up to 2012 Olympic and central London will remain the key spot due to its prime location. If central London hotels could mesmerize and drive first time visitors to come again and again then it would be exquisite success for them.

Hotels in Central London Are Consistently Maintaining the inheritance of British Crown

Sports in Bermuda - The World's Smallest Olympic Island!

Road to London 2012!

Brian Wellman

London 2012

Did you know- By 1992,Brian Wellman of Bermuda came in fifth place in the men's triple jump at the Xxv Olympic Games in Barcelona (Spain). His execution made him the Island's most excellent athlete. In the next Olympiad, he was one of the world's six best triple jumpers.

Debbie Jones

Did you know- By the mid-1970s,the Island's sprinter Debbie Jones took first place in the women's 100m, ahead of Ela Cabrejas (Cuba) and Lelith Hodges (Jamaica), at the Central American and Caribbean Tournament in San Juan de Puerto Rico.

Football

Did you know- By 1967, the men's soccer team from Bermuda was runner-up at the 5th Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada), behind only Mexico (gold medal).

Jennifer Fisher

Did you know- By the mid-1990s, Jennifer Fisher closed in sixth in the 800m (2:05.62) and seventh in the 1500m (4:29,77) in the Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

Mexico 1975

Did you know- By October 1975, the Island sent 14 athletes, four of them were women, to Mexico City to compete in the Vii Pan American Games. Curiously, the national team was one of the smallest delegations in the international Games. They competed in athletics (11), boxing (1), and pilotage (2). Ironically, Clarence Hills, the Island's most respected athlete, did not go to Mexico.

Montreal 1976

Did you know- 1976 was a extra year for Bermuda. Why? That year Bermuda had its first (and only) Olympic medal in history, ahead of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Burma and a host of nations. By July 1976, the Island's boxer Clarence Hills won a bronze medal at the Montreal Summer Olympics. Ironically he did not compete at the 1975 Pan American Games in the United Mexican States, the most leading pre-Olympic event in the Americas. Like Gina Swaison (1979 Miss World) and Jennifer Smith (former Prime Minister),Mr Hills is a hero in Bermuda,a gorgeous island settled in the Atlantic North.

Munich 1972

Did you know- The Island sent a team of 11 athletes to Munich (Germany) to participate in the Summer Olympics in August and September 1972. Bermuda - one of the world's most carport and peaceful islands-competed in three Olympic sports: boxing (1), rowing (1), and pilotage (9).

Pan American Games

Did you know- Toward the end of the 1950s, Bermuda made its Pan American debut when it sent an Olympic team to the Pan American Games in Chicago (Usa).

Softball

Did you know- The women's softball team of Bermuda won the right to compete in the 1974 World Championship in Stratford, Usa.

Spain 1992

Did you know- By the early 1990s,Bermuda's athlete Clarence Saunders took fifth place in the men's high jump in the Games of the Xxv Olympiad in Barcelona (Spain). Together with Brian Wellman (triple jump), he was one of Bermuda's most popular athletes in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Sports

Did you know- the most popular sports in the Island are soccer, cricket, softball, equestrian, athletics, sailing, and swimming.

Sydney 2000

Did you know- Lee White and Peter Bromby (sailing) came in fourth place in the Games of the 27th Olympiad in Australia.

Sports in Bermuda - The World's Smallest Olympic Island!

Sports & Women - The Peruvian Volleyball Team!

Road to London 2012!

1986 Goodwill Games

London Olympic

Did you know- At the 1986 Goodwill Games in Moscow, Ussr (now Russia), the women's volleyball squad, led by its world-class player Cecilia Tait Villacorta, came close to winning the gold medal. In the final, Peru (South American champion) lost 3-0 to the Soviet Union (Olympic gold medal in 1980). The Ussr and Peru were followed by America (bronze medal), Japan, North Korea, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, West Germany, in that order. The Peruvian volleyball team included 14 athletes: Cecilia Tait (1.82m), Rosa García (1.74m), Denisse Fajardo (1.71m), Gina Torrealba (1.74m), Natalia Malaga (1.71m), Sonia Heredia (1.74m), Luisa Cervera (1.74m), Gabriela Pérez del Solar (1.94m), Miriam Gallardo (1.80m), Cecilia Arostegui (1.76m), Sonia Ayaucam (1.75m), Miriam Lazo (1.71m), Margarita Delgado (1.76m), and Katherine Horny (1.84m). Toward the end of 1986, surprisingly, the Peruvian team fulfilled, third -- ahead of East Germany, Ussr, and Brazil-- in the Women's Volleyball World Cup in Prague, Czechoslovakia. On the other hand, Peru's athlete Denisse Fajardo, who played in Europe, was named one of the most excellent players.

Pan American Games

Did you know- The women's volleyball team of Peru picked up a silver medal in the 7th Pan American Games, which were held in Mexico City in October 1975. That year they also won the South American Championship in Asunción (Paraguay). In the final match, Peru beat Brazil. The Peruvian players were Mercedes Gónzales, Gaby Cardenas, Teresa Nuñez, Irma Cordero, Ana Cecilia Carrillo, Esperanza Hogan, Delia Córdero, Juana Flores, Luisa Fuentes, Ana Maria Ramirez, Maria Cervera, and Maruja Ostolaza.

Peru Vs Puerto Rico

Did you know- In October 1975, Peru routed Puerto Rico 3-0 (15-0, 15-8, 15-1). At that time, the women's volleyball squad of Puerto Rico was one of the 10 best teams in the Americas. Thirty-four years later, Puerto Rico beat Peru 3-0 (25-17, 15-19, 25-23).In that year, by 2009, Peru was one of the seven best teams in the continent of the Americas. In 2002, the Puerto Rican team came in 12th place in the global event, among 24 teams; meanwhile the Peruvian women's team did not grand for the 2002 World Championships.

Gabriela Pérez del Solar Cuculiza

Did you know- By 1993, the women's volleyball team of Peru, led by Gabriela Pérez del Solar Cuculiza, defeated Brazil (4th place in the Olympic Games in 1992) 3-1 and won the South American Tournament. Meanwhile, Pérez del Solar was named the tournament's most critical player. Under coach Man Bok Park's faithful training, she became one of the world's best volleyball players between 1985 and 1993.

Sports & Women - The Peruvian Volleyball Team!

Tokyo Bid For The 2016 Olympic Games

Despite Chicago being carefully the front-runner for the 2016 summer Olympics, the city of Tokyo in Japan is distinct that they will gather the athletic spectacle. Their reliance and hopes are placed in manufacture a bid for the 'compact' games; all the venues will be within a six mile radius. Athletes will be housed in the customary village, composing of five high-rise buildings, and a 100,000 seat Stadium set on the Tokyo waterfront will be the feature of the bid.

On Friday 14th September, one day after the deadline for submitting formal applications passed, the Ioc announced that it had received applications from the cities of: Chicago, Baku (Azerbajan), Doha (Qatar), Madrid (Spain), Prague (Czech Republic), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Tokyo.

London Olympic

The Japanese capital's bid is being led by exuberant nationalist Shintaro Ishihara who used the Olympic bid as a key choice manifesto item while running for his third term in April's elections. Now that he has successfully been re-elected the Olympic bid is in full flow. The flamboyant politician and president of the 2016 Olympic bid said: "winning the bid will be no easy task, but Tokyo is carefully to demonstrate its quality to successfully host the games, and will vigorously promote the bid campaign with the full withhold of the government and the public."

However, Shiro Asana who lost out in the choice to Ishihara is not so convinced that hosting the 2106 games in such a good idea. He said: "My concerns are with the cost and timings. I don't believe that the Ioc will wish to return to Asia so soon after the Beijing games. That's why it is too risky to spend any valuable sums on any bid at this point." In what may sound like bitter words after losing out to his political rival, Asana at his press consulation in a hotel in Tokyo added: "this has more to do with Ishihara's ego than attractive Japan's youth, as he claims."

Despite Asana's fears about cost, under the Olympic plans only two new competition venues are specifically slated to be built for the games, and Japan's central government has offered to pay half the total building costs.

However, Tokyo is still carefully an exterior bet to host the games. Even though the city boasts the valuable estimate of existing venues, many were used in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games and will need thorough and high-priced renovation; something that the Japanese government will not help with. Plus, there is the Ishihara factor to declare with; even though he may be beloved in his homeland many of his comments have angered his neighbours in Asia, and he is unlikely to win any withhold for the games from them.

Tokyo Bid For The 2016 Olympic Games

Olympic Facts - 2008 Olympic Baseball Tournament

Did you know...

Twelve nations have considerable for the Olympic Baseball Tournament in Beijing : The People's Republic of China (host country), Cuba (Olympic champion), Canada, South Korea, Taiwan, Holland (European champion), Japan (Asian champion) and the United States (world champion).

London 2012

From 1992 to 2004, 15 teams have played at least one men's Olympic baseball tournament: Australia (Atlanta'1996, Sydney'2000, Athens'2004), Canada (Athens' 2004), Taiwan/Chinese Taipei (Barcelona'1992 & Athens'2004), Cuba (Barcelona'1992, Atlanta'1996, Sydney'2000, Athens'2004), Dominican Republic (Barcelona'1992), Greece (Athens'2004), Italy (Barcelona'1992, Atlanta'1996, Sydney'2000, Athens'2004), Japan (Barcelona'1992, Atlanta'1996, Sydney'2000, Athens'2004), South Korea / Republic of Korea ( Atlanta'1996 & Sydney 2000), Holland / Netherlands (Atlanta'1996, Sydney'2000, Athens'2004), Nicaragua (Atlanta'1996), Puerto Rico (Barcelona'1992), South Africa (Sydney'2000), Spain (Barcelona'1992) and the United States (Barcelona'1992, Atlanta'1996, Sydney'2000).

The United States is determined a beloved to win the Olympic title. Why? This North American country won the gold medal at the 2007 World Championships. It also won the gold medal at the 2006 American Olympic Qualification  in Havana, Cuba. In 2008, the Usa baseball team defeated Cuba 4-1 for the second time at the Baseball Tournament in Haarlem (Holland). The American Olympic players are: Stephen Strasburg, Mike Minor, Brett Anderson, Jeff Steven, Colby Rasmus, Brandon Knight, Jake Arrieta,Trevor Cahill, Geno Espineli, Kevin Jepsen, Mike Koplove, Neal Blaine, Casey Weathers, Richard Clayton, Mattheew Brown, Mike Hesman, Matt La Porta, Dexter Fowler.

Baseball will not be on the Olympic agenda in London '2012...

The Puerto Rican national baseball team did not qualify for the Olympic Games in China. This Caribbean island  has more international titles than Nicaragua, Japan and Taiwan. For example, Puerto Rico won the World Cup in 1951. Furthermore, it is the birthplace of Roberto Clemente, one of the best players in the history.

Cuba -national sport - considerable for the Olympic Games in Bejing. But there is disappointment with the current level of the national team. Many Cubans believe that Cuba will not be an Olympic champion.Why? This Caribbean nation did not win the Baseball Tournament in Haarlem (Holland). From 2006 to 2008, Cuba has lost any games against the United States. Certainly, Cuba is not beloved to win the Olympic title. However, Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz - old dictator of the Cuban revolution- wrote: "The fanatics were upset due to the hard setback on Sunday (when Cuba lost the title in Holland). But the sword says it all:fanatics!. They forget that our team is now in South Korea, a country where we do not even have an embassy. There, our athletes continue to train. Anyway, they are not the ones who deserve the strongest criticisms. They will be taking part in the Olympic Games that will be held on the other side of the world, where sleeping hours and life pace are different. They have an intense agenda of corporeal training with a view to the last presentation of this sport at the Olympics..."

This sport was a demonstration sport at the 1984 Summer Olympics.  Players from 8 countries participated: Italy, Dominican Republic, Taiwan, Usa, Canada, Nicaragua, Japan and South Korea.

Canada won the bronze medal at the 1999 Pan American Games.

This sport was a demonstration sport at the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul (South Korea). Final standings:

1.United States
2.Japan
3.Puerto Rico
4.South Korea
5.Canada
6.Australia
7.Netherlands
8.Chinese Taipei

From 1992 to 2007, many Cuban baseball players have defected: Osvaldo Fernandez Rodriguez (Olympic gold medalist, 1992), Orlando Hernadez Pedroso (Olympic gold medalist, 1992), Luis Rolando Arrojo Avila (Olympic gold medalist, 1992), Jose Ariel Contreras Camejo (Olympic gold medalist, 1996) and Alexei Ramirez Rodriguez (Olympic gold medalist, 2004)....

Chinese-Taipei won the gold medal at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.

Australia did not qualify for the Olympic Games in the People's Republic of China. This country won the silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece. The silver medalists were:Rodney van Buizen, Craig Anderson, Thomas Bride, Jeff Williams, Gleen Williams, Adrian Burnside, Gavin Fingleson, Paul Gonzalez, Nick Kimpton, Brendan Kingman, Craig Lewis, Trent Oeltjen, Graeme Lloyd, David Nilsson, Ben Wigmore, Andre Utting, Dick Thompson, Brett Tamburrino, Phil Stockman, John Stephens, Ryan Rowland Smith, Brett Roneberg, Chris Oxspring, Wayne Ough.

The Japan national team won the bronze medal at the 2007 World Cup in Taiwan.

The United States won the gold medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney (Australia). Final standings:

1.Usa
2.Cuba (silver medal)
3.South Korea (bronze medal)
4.Japan
5.Holland
6:Italy
7.Australia
8.South Africa

Olympic Facts - 2008 Olympic Baseball Tournament

Ancient Olympia - The Original Venue of the Olympic Games

Olympia is an ancient sanctuary in the prefecture of Elis Peloponnese. A magnificent archaeological site, the sanctuary has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and in the 10th century B.C, the area became a religious center for the worship of Zeus and Hera, the chief couple of the Olympian gods. The sanctuary was also the site of the Olympic Games held in honor of Zeus from the 8th century BC till the 3rd century AD, when the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius decided to stop them as a pagan practice.

The sacred region of Olympia enclosed a number of buildings arranged without any particular form or order. Within the sacred enclosure, are situated the temples dedicated to Zeus and Hera. Built around 450 BC, the temple of Zeus occupied the most important position among the local and pan-Hellenic deities. The statue of Zeus, a magnificent piece of art sculpted by the 5th century sculptor, painter and architect Phedias, used to stand to a height of 43 feet and this was the most impressive statue in the ancient world. Unfortunately, not a part of this statue survives today and we know about it from narrations of ancient travellers. It is said that Phedias took about twelve years to complete it. The head of Zeus was adorned with a sculpted wreath of olive sprays, and he would hold in his right hand an ivory and gold figure of Nike, the goddess of victory. In his left hand, there was a scepter with an eagle perched on top. This statue was located in the temple of Zeus, the god who was honored during the Olympic Games.

Olympics 2012

To the east of the sanctuary was the Hippodrome, an immense oval structure used as a stadium where horse and chariot racing were held. Although very little remains of the hippodrome, scholars who have reconstructed the stadium from ancient texts and manuscripts, feel that the structure covered a total length of 1200 meters, and the track was perhaps lapped 3-12 times depending on the type of competition.

To the northern side of Olympia is located the Doric temple of Hera, wife of Zeus and the most important of the Greek female deities. The temple was destroyed in an earthquake in the 4th century AD and its ruins can be seen today. To the north of the sanctuary, lies the Prytaneion, the residence of priests and magistrates. It was also the venue for feasts and celebrations for the winners of the Olympic Games. It was here that the early Olympic flames burnt. The only structure on the sacred sanctuary dedicated to a human is the Philippeion, a circular memorial of ivory and gold, which had once housed the statues of the family of Philip II of Macedonia.

All the archeological treasures that have been excavated on the ancient site of Olympia are housed in the Archaeological Museum right next to the site. Ancient pediments, rare statues, terracotta, bronzes, a fine collection of artifacts from the Olympic Games, as well as other exhibits of immense historical significance dating from the prehistoric to the Roman period stand out in this very interesting and well-labeled museum.

Ancient Olympia - The Original Venue of the Olympic Games