London 2012 Olympics News
Olympic Flag arrives in Rio ahead of 2016
Rio de Janeiro has received the official Olympic Flag as the city takes over the role of Host City from London. Rio mayor Eduardo Paes, who received the flag from London mayor Boris Johnson at the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, waved the flag after stepping off the plane.
Hunt makes tourism play for Chinese visitors
Jeremy Hunt has launched an £8 million advertising campaign designed to triple the number of Chinese visitors to the United Kingdom over the next three years. The secretary of state for culture, Olympics, media and sport said the initiative was part of a wider drive to “turbo-charge” the tourism sector in the wake of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
British Airways celebrates Park Live success
Even more people than usual have experienced a British Airways welcome this summer as the airline greeted some 400,000 guests to Park Live presented by British Airways at the Olympic Park. The area was the only place at the Olympic Park where spectators could watch the action on giant screens and see the athletes interviewed on the stage.
UKinbound warns UK government not to squander Olympic legacy
As the 2012 London Olympics came to a glorious climax yesterday, UKinbound’s chief executive Mary Rance called on the government not to squander all that has been achieved. “Now is not the time to pat each other on the back and say job well done,” said Rance.
British music showcased at London 2012 Closing Ceremony
A galaxy of world-famous musicians and fashion icons have performed at the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games, including George Michael, Tinie Tempah, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, The Spice Girls and The Who. Kim Gavin, artistic director of the Olympic Closing Ceremony, brought together Britain’s biggest international stars and emerging talent to perform in an event that celebrated the achievements of the world’s greatest athletes during the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Heathrow opens Olympic park to wave off athletes
Heathrow is waving off athletes in style on one of the most challenging and high-profile days in its history following the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The first athletes have started to arrive at a specially constructed Games Terminal which has been dressed like a London park to give a memorable farewell.
Qatar gets hospitality gold at London 2012 Olympic Games
As the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar has been promoting their sporting and cultural heritage in style during the London Olympics 2012 where they set up camp by the Savoy London at Qatar House. Breaking Travel news takes a look.
VisitBritain revels in Olympic glory
As the curtain comes down on the Games of the XXX Olympiad, VisitBritain, the national tourism agency, has released initial findings on how the hosting of the London 2012 Games has showcased Britain to the world - and how the agency plans to make the most of this opportunity. Since the bid was won in 2005, VisitBritain has been planning to use the massive global exposure around the Games to encourage more people from overseas to holiday here in the years ahead.
Coe thanks British volunteers as Olympic Flame moves to Brazil
London 2012 chairman Seb Coe has thanked the hundreds of thousands of people who helped to make the 16 days of the Olympic Games a success during a stunning ceremonial finale. Speaking during the Closing Ceremony of the event in the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, he said: “The British people got behind London’s bid and they got behind London’s Games.”
Paralympics aims for London 2012 sell out
With just weeks to go to the London 2012 Paralympic Games, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games has confirmed a record 2.1 million Paralympic tickets have already now been sold. With over 600,000 tickets purchased in the last month, the total number of Paralympic tickets sold has now surpassed the previous record of 1.8 million tickets sold in 2008 for the Beijing Games.
Breaking Travel News investigates: London 2012, where did it all go so right?
With two weeks of competition now complete and Team GB looking good for a better than expected third place in the medals table, Breaking Travel News here takes stock of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Saudi runner Attar makes history at London 2012
Sarah Attar today became the first Saudi Arabian woman to compete in athletics at the Olympic Games - and she hopes her participation at London 2012 will “make a difference”. Sarah Attar of Saudi Arabia was cheered on by thousands of people in the Olympic Stadium when she took her place at the start of the 800 metres.