The current economic climate has been difficult for Olympic construction. However, just as the Vancouver Games are struggling with withdrawing sponsors and financial backers, the 2012 London Games have secured the equivalent of $634 million in public funds to help with construction of the Olympic Athletes Village (an artist rendition of which is pictured above) and the International Media Centre.

The Athletes Village, which will be located adjacent to Olympic Park, will house approximately 17,000 athletes and coaches. After the Games, the units will be sold as affordable apartments.

The Media Centre, to be located in the Northwest corner of Olympic Park, will host more than 20,000 journalists and technical personel. The centre is to be a permanent facility.

^{(image courtesy of London 2012)}

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London Olympic Venues Get Public Funds

The “London Times” is reporting this week that British cycling Olympian Chris Hoy has been recommended to receive an Order of the British Empire for his Olympic accomplishments. The 32-year-old Hoy is young for this honor, which is traditionally bestowed to individuals of near-retirement age.

Fellow Olympian, Rebecca Adlington, who earned two swimming Gold Medals this summer in Beijing, has also been recommended for the honor. She is just 19 years old.

Hoy earned three Gold Medals in track cycling this summer in Beijing. He adds those to the Gold Medal he received in Athens and the Silver Medal he earned in Athens. Hoy has said that he looks forward to defending his Medals in his home country in 2012.

^{(photo: Newscom)}

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Hoy Recommended for Knighthood

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“London” – Preparing for the 2012 Games

One down, dozens to go… The first Olympic venue for the 2012 London Games has been completed. The Olympic sailing venue at Portland Harbour in Weymouth was unveiled on Friday. On hand for the ceremony were Olympic Gold Medal sailors, Paul Goodison and Jonathon Edwards as well as members of the London Olympic Organizing Committee. Said Chairman, Sebastian Coe:

“We will stage a world-class Olympic and Paralympic Games and the ODA’s completion of construction work on our world-class sailing venue, three and a half years before the event, is a major milestone on our journey to 2012. We have put athletes at the heart of the 2012 Games and the facilities at Weymouth and Portland will provide competitors from all round the world the best possible arena for medal-winning performances.”

^{(photo courtesy of the London Olympic Committee)}

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London Sailing Venue Completed

The Opening Ceremonies for the 2012 London Olympic Games may just be worth the price of an airline ticket “across the pond.” Reportedly the show will include performances by the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Elton John, Phil Collins, Sting, and other British rockers. All I can say is “WOW.”

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Stones to Headline London Olympic Opening Ceremonies

The City of London hoisted the Olympic and Paralympic flags outside of City Hall on Friday as part of a ceremony getting ready for the 2012 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, which will be held in the city. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson was joined by a collection of Olympians from the 1948 London Games. The flags with fly daily with the British Union Jack until the end of the Games.

^{(photo © Newscom)}

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London Raises Olympic Flag

The London Aquatics Centre

Eton Dorney – Olympic Rowing, Kayak, and Canoe Venue

Olympic Stadium

Wembley Stadium – Olympic Football Venue

Weymouth-Portland, Olympic Sailing Venue

Wimbledon – Olympic Tennis Venue

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Venues for the London Games

While the closing ceremony was going on in Beijing, the people of London were having a party on the London Mall in front of Buckingham Palace to celebrate London’s becoming the official Olympic city, the site of the Summer Games in 2012. On hand were Michael Phelps; British Olympians, Bradley Wiggins, Mary Peters, Roger Black, Jason Gardener, and others; many performers including “Il Divo;” and members of the Royal Air Force who draped the air above the Palace with plumes of red, white, and blue.

The London Games begin on July 27, 2012.

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London Becomes Official Olympic City

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Scenes from the Beijing Olympic Closing Ceremonies

What do you think?  Should England really build a new velodrome?

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Britain’s Velodrome Celebrates Olympic Wins