Countdown to London begins

Associated Press

LONDON

London marks the two-year countdown to the 2012 Summer Games today by throwing open venues to star athletes, issuing a call for 70,000 volunteers and opening the first official Olympic store for sale of mascots and other souvenirs.

A series of activities were planned across the city to celebrate the buildup to the opening ceremony on July 27, 2012, when London will welcome the world to the greatest sports show on earth.

The spotlight will be on the Olympic Park site in east London, where athletes will test out some of the key facilities that are still under construction but well on track to be completed next year.

Michael Johnson, a former Olympic 200- and 400-meter champion from the United States, will race against youngsters on a specially laid track in the 80,000-capacity main stadium. British cyclist Chris Hoy, a four-time gold medalist, will be the first to try out the velodrome. Former NBA player John Amaechi will shoot a few hoops at the basketball arena.

“We’re not just the next games,” organizing committee president Sebastian Coe said. “We’re the next big global event. The World Cup is out of the way. That’s where the world is coming. There’s nothing else between us and the games.”

Organizers were launching the Olympic volunteer program and urging people to apply for specialist positions such as doctors, anti-doping personnel and scoreboard operators. The signup for more general volunteer positions will open on Sept. 15.

Organizers also urged fans to keep registering their interest in tickets, which will go on sale next year. So far, more than 1.4 million have registered. On sale will be 8 million tickets for the Olympics and 2 million for the Paralympics.

“We are well on track, the venues are nearing completion and our plans are coming together,” Coe said. “Now it’s the public’s turn. How will you spend the summer of 2012? Whether it’s buying a ticket, becoming a volunteer, being part of our education or culture programs — there are hundreds of ways you can get involved. Don’t wait. To ensure you don’t miss out, start planning your Games now.”

The London 2012 committee was opening its flagship store at St. Pancras International station in central London where, for the first time, soft toys of the child-friendly one-eyed mascots Wenlock and Manderville will be available for purchase.

It’s also from St. Pancras where Olympic organizers, athletes and dignitaries will ride the Javelin bullet train for the seven-minute journey to the Stratford International station at the Olympic Park.

From there, the group will walk across the new main bridge to the Olympic Park and get a firsthand look at the progress.