Spectators have an opportunity to be part of the London 2012 sports testing programme as tickets go on sale again shortly.

The London Prepares series is when organisers have the change to test key aspects of operations ahead of next year’s Games – such as results, scoring and timing systems, the fields of play, the venues and the people who will be working to ensure the Games run smoothly.

For those not lucky enough to have tickets to the Olympics it is a great chance to see world-class sporting action at a London 2012 venue.

Tickets will go on sale at 10am on Thursday 15 March 2012 for Synchronised Swimming, Hockey, Wheelchair Tennis, Water Polo and Paralympic Athletics.

Prices range from £3-£20 and will be available via Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.co.uk/londonpreparesseries

- FINA Olympic Games Synchronised Swimming Qualification: 18-22 April 2012, Aquatics Centre, Olympic Park.

- Visa International Invitational Hockey Tournament: 2-6 May 2012, Riverbank Arena, Olympic Park.

- Eton Manor Wheelchair Tennis International: 5 May 2012, Eton Manor, Olympic Park.

- Visa Water Polo International: 3-6 May 2012, Water Polo Arena, Olympic Park.

- Visa London Disability Athletics Challenge: 8 May 2012, Olympic Stadium, Olympic Park.

There will be public access to the Olympic Stadium on Saturday 5 May but details are yet to be released.

By Nicola Palmer

The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) have this week revealed the towns, cities and villages the Olympic Torch Relay will pass through on its tour of the UK.

The tour commences on the 18th May and completes on July 27th, with the Olympic flame said to be passing within just ten miles of 95 per cent of the population in the course of its journey.

The path taken but the torch will see it visit many famous landmarks such as Stonehenge, Stormont, Loch Ness and Snowdon. It will be carried on its journey through every county by 8,000 torchbearers employing a host of transportation methods including steam train, zip wire and traditional horseback.

LOCOG Chair Seb Coe said: “I’m delighted that the Olympic Torch Relay will take the 2012 Games to almost every corner of the UK and that we have achieved our ambition to take the Flame to within an hour’s journey of 95 per cent of the population.

“Now everyone is invited to plan their welcome and find out where they can go to be part of this historic occasion. The Olympic Games are coming to you as the Olympic flame gives our people and places their moment to shine.”

An extra special venue is to be available for companies looking to hold special parties during next year’s Olympic Games, according to reports.

St Jame’s Palace is apparently set to throw open its doors, allowing some of the most lavish state apartments to be rented by private firms for up to £30,000 a day.

The monarch have approved plans to offer businesses the chance to hold parties in the Palace’s Throne Room, Tapestry Room and the Queen Anne Room – areas usually closed to the general public.

For those who are keen to celebrate the games in the lap of luxury, Leeds Castle in Kent is also said to be available for hire during the Olympics at a cost of £1 million.

One source told the Daily Mail: “The Palace is exploiting its historical heritage and its prime location. Officials have already begun contacting firms and charities who they think might be interested in using the Palace.

“They are targeting organisations who have an existing link with the Royal Household and that includes those who have Royal Warrants.”

High levels of aviation tax could stifle tourism levels during the London 2012 Olympics, ABTA have warned.

In a statement released to coincide with the 2011 World Travel Market Travel Trends Report, ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said the government is in danger of wasting the “golden opportunity for growth through high levels of aviation tax.”

The report revealed a huge amount of support within the travel industry for the Olympics, with 82 per cent of senior industry executives indicating they see them as having a positive effect for London and the UK.

Looking at the wider effects of aviation taxes the poll found that five per cent of UK holidaymakers were put off flying this year due to rising taxes, with another eight per cent saying a further rise would stop them from flying too.

Sparks often fly in soaps and fans of BBC One favourite Eastenders should be braced for some especially fiery action next year, when the Olympic Torch Relay is to make an appearance in the drama.

The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) this week announced that the torch’s journey will take it through the fictional London Borough of Walford, the setting for the series.

News of the event reached Walford tonight (November 15^th), when an announcement was made in the Queen Victoria Pub. The character Billy Mitchell, played by Perry Fenwick will be responsible for carrying the torch.
Commenting on the storyline, he said: “While this may be a fictional one-off for Billy Mitchell, it’s a real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, and I am thrilled that Walford and Albert Square will be part of this amazing event”.

The remaining tickets for the London 2012 Paralympic Games are to go on sale on a first-come first-served basis this Friday (December 2^nd) at 1pm.

Once again, the tickets will be available from the London 2012 ticketing website for sporting fans to purchase, with full-price tickets costing as little as £10. Senior citizens and those aged 16 and under will also be entitled to a concession.

Despite unprecedented interest in the events there remains good availability for many of the major sports including athletics, wheelchair basketball and swimming.
LOCOG Chief Executive Paul Deighton said: “The Paralympic Games are coming home next year and will undoubtedly be a time of extraordinary pride for our nation. I’m sure many will see these tickets as the perfect Christmas gift.”

The London 2012 mascots are set to become musical stars following the recording of the official Games mascot song ‘On a Rainbow’.

The single, which is available to download now, was written and recorded by McFly’s lead singer and guitarist Tom Fletcher. The track also features vocals by pupils from West Leigh Junior School Choir, as well as the voice of Tom’s sister Carrie Fletcher.

The lyrics of the song tell of Wenlock and Mandeville’s journey to the Games and the people the meet on their trip.

Tom and his sister are due to perform the song at live events at Great Ormond Street Hospital School and at Westfield Stratford City.

Talking about the single, he said: “This is an amazing opportunity and it’s something I’m very proud to be involved in. I wanted it to be fun for kids and a song that kids could remember and sing along to.”

The International Inspiration programme has landed in Ghana, making it the latest country to benefit from London 2012′s international legacy programme.

The scheme was launched officially at the British Council office in Accra, with a memorandum of understanding signed in front of a group of students from both Ghana and the UK.

The project aims to help make real the promise of the London 2012 bit team to connect young people across the world through the inspirational power of the Games.

The programme has been going well so far, and has already achieved its target of reaching 12 million children and young people from around the world. The focus will now shift to concentrate on making sure the projects involved leave a lasting legacy.

Seb Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG), said: “Sport has always been an essential part of my life and I know the benefits it can bring to someone’s life.

“That’s why I’m delighted to welcome Ghana as the latest country to the International Inspiration programme – through this we will be reaching out to and inspiring thousands more children and young people to go beyond their personal best.”

The London 2012 already seem to be giving Britain a bit of a boost, with more than half or Brits believing the event will boost patriotism and pride.

A recent survey conducted by Cisco – the official network infrastructure provider to the Games – revealed that 51 per cent of Brits think the Games will raise morale over the UK and have a lasting effect. Indeed, 40 per cent of those polled agreed the sporting event will play an important part in building a better Britain for the future.

However, the potential impact on the health of the nation was viewed less positively, with only one quarter of Brits considering it will help promote grass-roots sports and one in five agreeing that the  Games is likely to improve the health of the nation.

Neil Crockett, Cisco managing director for the Games, said: “I am confident that London 2012 is just the starting point in building a brilliant future for the UK.”

London 2012 mascots are back on the big screen following the launch of their third animated film this week.

‘Wenlock and Mandeville’s Rainbow Rescue’ is to be shown at Odeon Cinemas in over 100 locations across the country until December 23rd. it will appear before specially selected family movies.

The latest action sequence is based on a true story and will see Wenlock and Mandeville helping out a school after their library is destroyed by a storm. Also featured in the adventure are animated versions of British athletes Louis Smith, Zoe Smith, Victoria Pendleton, Shelly Woods and Tom Agga. TV personality Stephen Fry gives his voice for narration.

The film was written by popular British children’s author and poet Michael Morpurgo. Talking about the project, he said: “We have these extraordinary characters Wenlock and Mandeville who are not only encouraging young people to take up sport, but are inspiring the next generation of story tellers and writers.”