London 2012: One Year to Go
Today marks the official one-year countdown to the London 2012 Olympic Games.
On July 27, 2012, thousands of athletes will gather in the British capital for the Opening Ceremonies of the Games of the XXX Olympiad. This will mark the third time London has hosted the Olympic Games, having previously staged the Games in 1908 and 1948.
“In just one year, the members of the Canadian Olympic Team will walk in the Olympic Stadium in London,” said Marcel Aubut, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee. “It is their talent but also their determination and their hard work that will have brought them there, ready to make us live exciting moments. Our objective to finish among the top 12 nations in the cumulative medal rankings is ambitious but realistic. With all the partners of the Canadian sports system, we will make everything that is possible during the next year so that our athletes compete in London in the best conditions.”
London was awarded the 2012 Games over Paris, Madrid, New York City and Moscow on July 5, 2005 during the International Olympic Committee’s 117th Session in Singapore. The Games, which will run until August 12, will feature approximately 10, 500 athletes from over 200 countries. Over the course of 19 summer days, the Games will unfold across 26 different sports, with every competitor looking to leave their mark.
With all eyes on London one year from now, the city is eager to welcome the world.
“London 2012 will create the most accessible and participative Games. It will touch people as it has never done before, stimulating people to do more and to try new things and reassess what we are all capable of,” reads the Games’ official ambition. “London 2012 has sport at its heart and London at the centre, but it is more than London and more than sport. It is a Games for London, the UK and the rest of the world, for sport and culture, for volunteers and business.”
