from Northern Ireland Athletics On Saturday 31 October, London 2012 celebrates 1,000 days to go to the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games.
The occasion is being marked by the news that more than five million people are currently participating in London 2012 Games-related projects.
Initiatives range from the Inspire programme, which has seen thousands of people take part in hundreds of community projects in sport, culture, business and sustainability, to the ‘Get Set’ education programme which has reached more than 11,000 schools and the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.
London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe commented: ‘Reaching 1,000 days to go gives us an opportunity to celebrate. Millions of people are already inspired by, benefiting from or delivering London 2012, from those who are taking part in sport participation projects inspired by the Games to the millions of National Lottery players who are helping to build the Olympic Park in east London.
‘Over the next 1,000 days our teams will put their heart and soul into ensuring the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012 are a spectacular success and deliver a tangible legacy for future generations.’
To celebrate, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) have marked the 1,000 days to go landmark with the launch of a Games-themed photographic exhibition alongside Tier One Partner BT at the National Portrait Gallery and an event at London’s iconic BT Tower.
The ‘National Portrait Gallery/BT Road to 2012’ exhibition will create 100 world-class photographic portraits celebrating the people, both high-profile and those working behind the scenes, who collectively are making the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games happen. See the photographs
Meanwhile, the London night sky will be transformed as the BT Tower will be spectacularly lit up with a fireworks display on Saturday October 31 and, for the first time ever, will display messaging at the top of the tower. The lighting of the tower will happen live on The National Lottery Draw Show between 8.45pm and 8.55pm on BBC One.