(July 11, 2011) With the 2012 Summer Olympics set to commence in only sixteen days, IPM News presents a photo essay showing the facilities and the lead-up to the global event. All photos courtesy The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Limited.
Olympic Stadium, designed by Kansas City, USA’s Populous, next to the Arcelor-Mittal Orbit, an observation tower commissioned by the City of London for the Games as a work of public art.
Aerial shot of the Olympic Stadium and Arcelor-Mittal Orbit, designed by Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond in conjunction with London-based architectural firm Ushida Findlay, with adjacent warm-up field.
Aquatics Centre, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects of London, in rear, and Water Polo Arena, designed by London’s David Morely Architects, in foreground.
BMX Track in Olympic Park with Velodrome, designed by London’s Hopkins Architects in conjunction with Bath-based Grant Associates, in background.
Aquatics Centre highlighted by just a few of the millions of plants to be found in Olympic Park.
Interior of Olympic Stadium, configured for track and field competition.
Artistic Director Danny Boyle (Oscar winning director of Slumdog Millionaire) joins volunteers in viewing the model for the Opening Ceremonies. It’s first act, themed to transport viewers to the British countryside, will feature 12 horses, 3 cows, 2 goats, 10 chickens, 10 ducks, 9 geese, 70 sheep, and 3 sheep dogs.
Lighting is tested for the Closing Ceremony inside Olympic Stadium.
The artistic team behind the Closing Ceremony, which will celebrate 50 years of British music. (L to R): David Arnold (Music Director), Es Devlin (Scenic Designer) , Kim Gavin (Artistic Director), Patrick Woodroffe (Lighting Designer).
Torchbearer Peter Jack of Limavady holds the Olympic Flame aloft on the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland on day 17 of the Olympic Torch Relay. The 70-day Relay will eventially take the torch through over 1,000 British cities, towns, and villages by the start of the Olympic Games.
Yesterday, July 10, was the 53rd day of the Olympic Torch Relay. The day was highlighted by a passing of the flame from Gina MacGregor of Maidenhead to 12 year old Phillip Wells from Taplow at Windsor Castle, witnessed by The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Over 8,000 torchbearers are participating in the nationwide Relay.
Opened in 1894, London’s Tower Bridge is sporting the Olympic Rings for the Summer.
