Getting ready for the Games. Image Credit: LOCOG
For the past seven years it’s all we’ve heard about; TV channels have been in overdrive and sponsors have rammed 2012-branded products down our throats at every opportunity. Even our chocolate bars have been adorned with those one-eyed mascots Wenlock and Mandeville.
But the world’s ‘greatest sporting event’ which once seemed so far off is now only 100 days away.
With the stadium complete, torch bearers named and tickets sold (albeit to the upset of most of the UK’s 1 million luckless applicants) everyone is waiting for the show to begin.
To mark the 100-day countdown to the Olympics opening cermeony, organisers have today revealed the official Games’ motto as ‘Inspire a Generation’.
A giant set of Olympic rings, made up of 25,000 flowers, were unveiled at Kew Gardens in west London while a West End “warm up” performance in Trafalgar Square this evening will feature cast members from every West End show currently on in the capital.
The giant sandcastle on Weymouth Beach. Image Credit: LOCOG
A giant sandcastle has also been built to mark the occasion on Weymouth Beach, where up to 15,000 visitors a day will enjoy the Games’ sailing and other sporting events for free.
A bumper list of events has been planned in the lead up to the Games. The London 2012 Festival, which began four years ago, is running events through to mid-September, including the World Shakespeare Festival and a Damien Hirst retrospective .
The Olympic cheer is not, it seems, shared by everyone. A survey carried out by the BBC found that 64 per cent of Brits thought taxpayers had paid too much to cover the cost of the Games and away, from London, the event offered little benefit to communities.
Some £9.3bn of UK public funding has been set aside to fund the Games and many Londoners have had to stump up an extra £20 contribution in their council tax.
Whatever your thoughts, one thing’s for certain London, the first ever city to host the Olympics three times, has spared no expense in the current climate to put on one hell of a show. Let’s just hope London’s performance is medal-worthy.
What do you think? Is it good for Britain or a waste of taxpayers’ money?
Planning on visiting London for the Olympics? Check out our guide to finding cheap accommodation during the Games.
Why are some people so damn boring? Its the Olympics for christ’s sake- you Brits need to stop moaning and start appreciating the fact you landed the games. The French wouldn’t be so negative and harp on about money if they’d won it.