About the Games

This page aims to captures some of the highlights of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, along with how to get involved and maximise the opportunities presented by the Games.
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Olympic Games
The London 2012 Olympic Games will run from 27 July to 12 August and feature 26 sports, breaking down into disciplines and events.
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Paralympic Games
The London 2012 Paralympic Games will run from 29 August to 9 September and feature 20 sports, breaking down into disciplines and events.
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Tickets
You can apply for tickets to the London 2012 Paralympic Games between 9 September 2011 and 26 September 2011.
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Torch Relay
The Torch Relay is a key part of the build up to the Games. The Olympic Flame will arrive in the UK on 18 May 2012. 8,000 Torchbearers will carry the Flame on a 70-day journey across the UK, with entertainment, shows and concerts marking its arrival in each place.
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Schools and Colleges
For schools and colleges the the official London 2012 education programme is called Get Set, which contains resources, ideas and opportunities to help make the most of the London 2012 Games.
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Further and Higher Education
Podium is the Further and Higher Education Unit for the 2012 Games. It was set up to help colleges, universities and their students to maximise their engagement in all aspects of the Games.
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Volunteering
Although the opportunity to be a London 2012 volunteer has now closed, Loughborough University is currently looking to recruit over 1000 volunteers to support the Team GB and Japanese Olympic Committee Pre Games Training Camps.
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Inspire mark
The London 2012 Inspire programme enables non-commercial organisations to link their events and projects to the London 2012 Games in an official scope. Over 500 projects and events across the UK have already been awarded the London 2012 Inspire mark.
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Cultural Olympiad
The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad is the largest cultural celebration in the history of the modern Olympic and Paralympic movements. Linked to the Cultural Olympiad, the East Midlands region stages the annual Igniting Ambition festivals.
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Open Weekend
London 2012 celebrates the countdown to the Games through the annual Open Weekend, which gives people the opportunity to take part in a range of activities and events. To celebrate 1 year to go to the start of the Games, the Open Weekend for 2011 will take place on 22 - 24 July.
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Business
There is still business opportunities to compete for contracts supplying good and services for the Games. The current business opportunity bulletins, issued by London 2012, can be viewed on the East Midlands Development Agency 2012 website.
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Tourism
The national tourism agency, VisitBritain, has developed a 2012 website containing key information and how the UK tourism trade sector can maximise the opportunity of the Games.

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