Trafalgar Square was the scene for ecstatic celebrations on 6 July 2005 as a live video link to Singapore displayed International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge announcing the success of the London bid to host the Games of the XXX Olympiad in 2012.

The London bid, led by Lord Sebastian Coe and aided in person by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, triumphed after four tense rounds of voting, overcoming tough opposition from rival candidate cities: Paris, Madrid, New York and Moscow. It is the third time London will undertake the honour of hosting the Games, having previously held the Games in 1908 and 1948.

The programme of events for 2012 will include 26 sports and approximately 10,500 athletes are expected to compete. The Games will utilise a unique combination of existing arena’s with a vast history of great sporting moments, including Lord's Cricket Ground and Wimbledon, alongside the brand new Olympic Park in the Stratford area of East London. The 500-acre Olympic Park will contain the Olympic Village and also contribute nine new venues, including the 80,000 capacity custom built Olympic Stadium where the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will take place.

The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) Chairman Sebastian Coe has stressed the importance of the Games in motivating the next generation of youth to participate in sport. This is borne out in the 2012 vision “to stage inspirational Games that capture the imagination of young people around the world and leave a lasting legacy." It is intended that these games will have a positive lasting impact not only on London, but the whole of the United Kingdom.

Click here to visit the official London 2012 website