London 2012: 50 days to go until Olympics - Newham Recorder 24
Sarah Shaffi, Olympics editor (news)
Thursday, June 7, 2012
8:43 AM
Today marks just 50 days until the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
To celebrate the occasion London 2012 has published a list of 50 ways to join in with the Games.
Ideas for London include getting your photo taken with the Olympic Countdown Clock in Trafalgar Square, watching Damon Albarn in his opera Dr Dee at the national Opera House as part of the London 2012 Festival, and sending a message of support to Team GB’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes via www.ourgreatestteam.com.
People are also encouraged to consider training to become a referee, official or coach in a sport that interests them, visit the giant Olympic Rings at St Pancras International Station, and view the Tate Britain’s exhibition of Olympic and Paralympic posters.
Seb Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), said: “The Jubilee celebrations and the incredible welcome given to the Olympic Torch Relay have shown the great community spirit of British people and their enthusiasm to get involved with big events.
“By releasing this list, we want to demonstrate that whatever your interests, there is a way for you to be part of London 2012. We are urging the UK public to join in, and to keep their bunting and flags ready to mark what will be an unrivalled summer of sport, culture and celebration.”
London 2012 is also encouraging people to become a Local Leader - a person in the community who organises events to celebrate the Games.
There are currently more than 14,000 Local Leaders across the country for London 2012 who have already hosted or are planning events.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “With a mere 50 days to go, we are keeping our foot on the pedal to make sure everything is in place for a smooth and successful Games. We will learn any lessons from the spectacular celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee and will make sure the capital is buzzing as we roll out a huge programme of events and festivities for everyone to enjoy.
“So whether it’s watching the sporting spectacle at our live sites or being inspired to take up a new sport, joining in the free arts extravaganzas going on across the city or just enjoying the shopping, theatre and restaurants that make this the best big city in world, London is the place to be.”
Pure gold to have Becks at the London Olympics - Daily Mail
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Kick it: David Beckham is still a fans' favourite
Anyone who was at Wembley last Saturday could not fail to understand why David Beckham had to be in Great Britain's Olympic football team at London 2012.
The wall of noise, the palpable sense of excitement, that greeted the mere mention of his name is something only Beckham can generate.
It would be madness to be so straight-laced, stuck up and, well, British about it that we overlooked our global superstar.
We have seen where 'football reasons' have got us in the last few weeks, but Stuart Pearce's task was not to pick the best 18 eligible players based on statistics and somehow hope they can all make a go of it next month. He was asked to pick a squad capable of winning a gold medal.
Pearce has recognised that, and while the incredible midfield engine is not what it once was, Beckham's game has adapted and moved on. He hasn't been messing about in the garden with his kids in LA since leaving England almost a decade ago.
He has been winning titles in Spain and the US, a physical league with lots of young players.
He is still a brilliant passer of the ball and lethal at set-pieces but he also brings those intangible but invaluable qualities: experience, leadership and a winning mentality.
And - shock horror - he is passionate about playing for Great Britain. I am sick of unspectacular footballers turning their backs on international duty out of some misguided sense of their own importance.
Hometown hero: Beckham is set to star in London
If you are lucky enough to be picked, you play. And Beckham desperately wants to represent his country, even if it would have been a lot easier just to walk away.
'Legacy' is the watchword of these Games and Beckham's involvement gives Olympic football the chance to reach out to so many - not just here but around the world. Without him, the men's football competition was in danger of limping along from a British perspective.
A manager overlooked by England in charge of a team only one of the home nations wanted in a tournament many do not believe should even be included in the Olympics. But with Becks in the mix, things suddenly feel a lot different.
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