Greatest show on Earth

Mar 3 2011 By Caroline Spelman

The Olympic Games take place from July 27 to August 12, 2012, closely followed by the Paralympics from August 29 to September 9 the same year.

Seeing the Games in Britain will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for most of us and I know of friends and family who are going to be involved as marshals, physios and even carpenters.

My colleague, Lord Coe the chairman of the London organising committee has forecast it will be ‘the greatest show on Earth’.

The statistics are enormous: the Games will have 650 separate sessions across 26 sports and 39 disciplines within 19 days. 10,500 competitors from 205 nations will compete, then a further 4,200 athletes from 167 nations will take part in the Paralympics.

The Olympic Park in East London will be the setting for much of the drama. It is the largest urban park built in Europe for 150 years. After the Games it will continue in public use - not be left to fall into ruin as some former Olympic centres in other countries.

You can apply for tickets to the events between March 15 and April 26, 2011. Prices start at £20 and there are some concessions.

Forms will be available in Lloyds TSB branches and online at www.tickets.london2012.com. For further details visit www.london2012.com.