Department for Culture Media and Sport
What we do
The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
The International Olympic Committee's decision to award the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to London was a tremendous honour and achievement. We now have a unique opportunity to stage one of the greatest shows on Earth and to transform the UK's sporting, cultural and social landscape now and in the future.
Our UK athletes returned from the Beijing 2008 Games with 47 Olympic medals and 102 Paralympic medals. We want to build on their inspiring success.
The London 2012 Olympic Games will take place from 27 July -12 August and the Paralympic Games from 29 August - 9 September.
London will welcome more than 10,500 Olympic athletes, 4,200 Paralympic athletes and 14,000 officials from over 200 countries. There will be 26 Olympic sports taking place in 34 competition venues, and 20 Paralympic sports in 21 competition venues.
The action will be centred on the Olympic Park in East London, home to the Olympic Stadium and other new venues. Other events (such as the football tournament and sailing) will take place in locations across the UK.
The Games are already delivering thousands of new jobs and homes and a huge range of opportunities for businesses of every size across the country. They are also transforming one of the most deprived parts of London, inspiring a new generation to greater sporting activity and achievement and helping to foster a healthier and more active nation.
As the lead Government department for the Games, we are working closely with key stakeholders and other Government departments to ensure that the Games leave a lasting legacy with maximum benefit for the UK as a whole.
Back to top
