London 2012 marks 200 days to go
With exactly 200 days to go until the Games, the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) has today outlined the next stages in preparing for the two biggest sporting events on the planet this summer. Following completion by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) of the main structures on the Olympic Park, the site will now officially be handed over to LOCOG to begin transforming it into a fully-operational venue. Dennis Hone, ODA Chief Executive, said: 'We hand the Olympic Park to the Organising Committee fully confident that they will continue pressing ahead on their preparations so that London 2012 becomes a brilliant once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and experience for everyone involved.' LOCOG will now commence 'ramping-up' work to fit out venues and stage testing and licensing events. This will include constructing 100,000 square feet of Games-time retail space, installing the ‘look and feel’ of the Games throughout the Park and sourcing a million pieces of sport equipment. LOCOG Chair Seb Coe said: 'The handover of the Olympic Park sounds the starting pistol in the race to get the site and venues ready to host the two biggest sporting events on the planet. 'In just 200 days time, 200 countries – more than the membership of the United Nations – will be sending 15,000 athletes and 20,000 accredited media to London to create
