London 2012London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Greenwich
Greenwich is hosting a selection of the most exciting and entertaining events in some of the most striking and unusual venues during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Greenwich will see competition in 34 events in 2012 which include six Olympic sports and three Paralympic sports.
Greenwich Park will welcome the Equestrian and Paralympic Equestrian events and parts of the Modern Pentathlon while the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich will host the Shooting, Paralympic Shooting and Paralympic Archery. The O2 arena, which will be known as North Greenwich Arena during the Games, also gets in on the act and will be welcoming the Basketball finals, Artistic Gymnastics, Trampoline Gymnastics and Wheelchair Basketball.
The London 2012 Games kick off on 27 July 2012 and close on 12 August and the ParalympicGames begin on 29 August with the closing ceremony on 9 September.
Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park is London’s oldest Royal Park, dating back to 1433. It has been a World Heritage Site since 1997. Within the Park is the Royal Observatory, the home of Greenwich Mean Time at Longitude 0°. During the London 2012 Games the Park will be hosting Equestrian Events including Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Paralympic Equestrian and parts of the Modern Pentathlon. Building work begins in the Spring on a temporary main arena for 23,000 spectators within the lower grounds of the Park and the temporary Cross Country course will be laid out later this year.
The O2 arena, the world's most succesful entertainment venue, will be known as North Greenwich Arena in 2012. It will be hosting Artistic Gymnastics, Trampoline Gymnastics and the Basketball finals during the Olympic Games and then, a few weeks later, Wheelchair Basketball during the Paralympic Games.The Arena will seat up to 20,000 spectators for the Basketball finals and Wheelchair Basketball and 16,500 for Artistic Gymnastics and Trampoline Gymnastics.
The Royal Artillery Barracks
The Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, which date back to 1776, will provide a stunning backdrop for the Shooting, Paralympic Shooting and Paralympic Archery during the London 2012 Games. Four temporary indoor ranges for Pistol and Rifle Shooting will be built, together with outdoor shotgun ranges for Trap and Skeet events. Temporary spectator grandstands will be provided at each Shooting range.
2012 Homestay Accommodation
Are you looking for somewhere to stay during the London 2012 Games? How about staying in a local residents home? If you're a local resident, have you thought of renting all or part of your home in 2012? There's lots of information and a list of accommodation available so far on our special Homestay page.
Travel during the Games
Everyone hopes that London's excellent transport system will cope well with the extra passengers expected during the London 2012 Games. But there are bound to be a few places that get very busy. You can see where those hot-spots might be on this splendid, predictive map.
London 2012 Olympic Games Competition Schedule
We've got the full competition schedule for the London 2012 Olympic Games with the Paralympic Games to follow in September. Find out about Greenwich times and all the other events here.
London 2012 Links
There's lots more information about the London 2012 Games at these websites...
Greenwich Council 2012 Games
London 2012 - Greenwich Park
Culture, Tourism and 2012
Tourism 2012 Games
London 2012 - Visit Britain
The Official London 2012 website