Celebrations broke out across London today to mark exactly one year until the start of the 2012 London Olympics.
The day saw the opening of the stunning, brand new Aquatics Centre at the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London. Britain's double Commonwealth diving gold medallist and London 2012 hopeful Tom Daley performed the first ever dive at the centre. Synchronised swimmers have already taken to the water to make a number '1' as celebration of the milestone and other special events have taken place in the capital throughout the day.
London 2012 chairman Lord Sebastian Coe and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson rolled up their trousers to welcome foreign sports fans to Britain.
Alongside former sprint hurdler Olympic Colin Jackson, an Olympic silver medallist, they took off their shoes and socks for a plaster cast of their feet at London's St Pancras Eurostar terminal, which has trains to and from Paris, Lille and Brussels. The idea is that these are among the first steps toward the 2012 Games.
The casts, which also include footprints from visiting Olympic athletes who arrived today, will be used in an exhibition.
They included Dorian Van Rijsselberge, an international windsurfer from the Netherlands who is a hot tip for London 2012, and retired French handball player Jackson Richardson, who were getting a first look at the Olympic Park.
Lord Coe described today - the official start of the year to go countdown - as a 'massive moment in an Olympic city' before inviting everyone back next year.
'This is an extraordinary day,' he said.
Building work at the Olympic Park, is now 88 per cent complete. More than 3.5million tickets have been sold so far, setting the scene for full venues at Games time and a sensational atmosphere for competing athletes.
Celebrations start across London as countdown to 2012 enters its final year
By Sportsmail Reporter
27th July 2011
You can feel the buzz, see the excitement in people's faces, and with a little imagination you can hear the roar of millions of people packed into sparkling new venues. And there's still a year to go.
The countdown has begun in earnest with a day of celebration across London, including a first dive into the Aquatics Centre pool by none other than double Commonwealth gold medallist and London 2012 hopeful Tom Daley.
Synchronised swimmers have already taken to the water to make a number '1' as celebration of the milestone and other special events have taken place in the capital throughout the day.
And we're off: Celebrations marking the one-year countdown to London 2012 have started in the capital. (Above) The London 2012 Aquatics Centre, which opened today. (Below) An external view of the new Aquatics Centre
Lord Coe and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson rolled up their trousers to welcome foreign sports fans to Britain.
Alongside former sprint hurdler Olympic Colin Jackson, an Olympic silver medallist, they took off their shoes and socks for a plaster cast of their feet at London's St Pancras Eurostar terminal. The idea is that these are among the first steps toward the 2012 Games.
Lord Coe described today - the official start of the year to go countdown - as a 'massive moment in an Olympic city' before inviting everyone back next year.
'This is an extraordinary day,' he said.
Leading lights: Some of the British athletes who will be going for gold in London next year
The casts, which also include footprints from visiting Olympic athletes who arrived today, will be used in an exhibition.
They included Dorian Van Rijsselberge, an international windsurfer from the Netherlands who is a hot tip for London 2012, and retired French handball player Jackson Richardson, who were getting a first look at the Olympic Park.
Best foot forward: Lord Coe and Colin Jackson got into the spirit of it at Kings Cross St Pancras railway station
A special party will be held at London's Trafalgar Square where International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge ceremonially invites more than 200 Olympic nations to take part in the Games.
This event also provides the first glimpse of how London will look when key buildings and parts of the city are 'dressed' for the Games.
There will also be the first look at the design of the medals to be won at London 2012.
Picture the scene: Prime Minister David Cameron was at Horse Guards Parade, where the volleyball will be staged
Building work at the Olympic Park, is now 88 per cent complete. More than 3.5million tickets have been sold so far, setting the scene for full venues at Games time and a sensational atmosphere for competing athletes
Lord Coe said of the £9billion Olympic project: 'The Olympic Park venues are in large part built, and though a mountain of work is still needed to prepare them we have an extraordinary platform to build on.
'I feel pride that it's "sport wot done it". I cannot look at the Olympic Park without taking great pride that all us in sport did this.'
Countdown is on: There is one year to go until the London 2012 Olympics get underway
London Mayor Boris Johnson said: 'A year from today the curtain will be lifted on the London Games and I call on the world to come and enjoy what will be the greatest party that London, indeed the planet, has ever seen.
'Our stunning venues are almost all complete on time and under budget, and the impact of the Games on this great city of ours is being felt on many fronts.
'Visitors to London next year will find the atmosphere electrifying, whether they are soaking up the sporting spectacle in the Olympic Park or enjoying the many fantastic events and attractions across the capital. We are set to welcome the world for the best Games in history.'
London 2012 Olympics: One year to go celebrations start | Mail Online
The day saw the opening of the stunning, brand new Aquatics Centre at the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London. Britain's double Commonwealth diving gold medallist and London 2012 hopeful Tom Daley performed the first ever dive at the centre. Synchronised swimmers have already taken to the water to make a number '1' as celebration of the milestone and other special events have taken place in the capital throughout the day.
London 2012 chairman Lord Sebastian Coe and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson rolled up their trousers to welcome foreign sports fans to Britain.
Alongside former sprint hurdler Olympic Colin Jackson, an Olympic silver medallist, they took off their shoes and socks for a plaster cast of their feet at London's St Pancras Eurostar terminal, which has trains to and from Paris, Lille and Brussels. The idea is that these are among the first steps toward the 2012 Games.
The casts, which also include footprints from visiting Olympic athletes who arrived today, will be used in an exhibition.
They included Dorian Van Rijsselberge, an international windsurfer from the Netherlands who is a hot tip for London 2012, and retired French handball player Jackson Richardson, who were getting a first look at the Olympic Park.
Lord Coe described today - the official start of the year to go countdown - as a 'massive moment in an Olympic city' before inviting everyone back next year.
'This is an extraordinary day,' he said.
Building work at the Olympic Park, is now 88 per cent complete. More than 3.5million tickets have been sold so far, setting the scene for full venues at Games time and a sensational atmosphere for competing athletes.
Celebrations start across London as countdown to 2012 enters its final year
By Sportsmail Reporter
27th July 2011
You can feel the buzz, see the excitement in people's faces, and with a little imagination you can hear the roar of millions of people packed into sparkling new venues. And there's still a year to go.
The countdown has begun in earnest with a day of celebration across London, including a first dive into the Aquatics Centre pool by none other than double Commonwealth gold medallist and London 2012 hopeful Tom Daley.
Synchronised swimmers have already taken to the water to make a number '1' as celebration of the milestone and other special events have taken place in the capital throughout the day.
And we're off: Celebrations marking the one-year countdown to London 2012 have started in the capital. (Above) The London 2012 Aquatics Centre, which opened today. (Below) An external view of the new Aquatics Centre
Lord Coe and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson rolled up their trousers to welcome foreign sports fans to Britain.
Alongside former sprint hurdler Olympic Colin Jackson, an Olympic silver medallist, they took off their shoes and socks for a plaster cast of their feet at London's St Pancras Eurostar terminal. The idea is that these are among the first steps toward the 2012 Games.
Lord Coe described today - the official start of the year to go countdown - as a 'massive moment in an Olympic city' before inviting everyone back next year.
'This is an extraordinary day,' he said.
Leading lights: Some of the British athletes who will be going for gold in London next year
The casts, which also include footprints from visiting Olympic athletes who arrived today, will be used in an exhibition.
They included Dorian Van Rijsselberge, an international windsurfer from the Netherlands who is a hot tip for London 2012, and retired French handball player Jackson Richardson, who were getting a first look at the Olympic Park.
Best foot forward: Lord Coe and Colin Jackson got into the spirit of it at Kings Cross St Pancras railway station
A special party will be held at London's Trafalgar Square where International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge ceremonially invites more than 200 Olympic nations to take part in the Games.
This event also provides the first glimpse of how London will look when key buildings and parts of the city are 'dressed' for the Games.
There will also be the first look at the design of the medals to be won at London 2012.
Picture the scene: Prime Minister David Cameron was at Horse Guards Parade, where the volleyball will be staged
Building work at the Olympic Park, is now 88 per cent complete. More than 3.5million tickets have been sold so far, setting the scene for full venues at Games time and a sensational atmosphere for competing athletes
Lord Coe said of the £9billion Olympic project: 'The Olympic Park venues are in large part built, and though a mountain of work is still needed to prepare them we have an extraordinary platform to build on.
'I feel pride that it's "sport wot done it". I cannot look at the Olympic Park without taking great pride that all us in sport did this.'
Countdown is on: There is one year to go until the London 2012 Olympics get underway
London Mayor Boris Johnson said: 'A year from today the curtain will be lifted on the London Games and I call on the world to come and enjoy what will be the greatest party that London, indeed the planet, has ever seen.
'Our stunning venues are almost all complete on time and under budget, and the impact of the Games on this great city of ours is being felt on many fronts.
'Visitors to London next year will find the atmosphere electrifying, whether they are soaking up the sporting spectacle in the Olympic Park or enjoying the many fantastic events and attractions across the capital. We are set to welcome the world for the best Games in history.'
London 2012 Olympics: One year to go celebrations start | Mail Online
