News

Station’s rings sign that Olympics are getting close

From LOCOG

Circle line: Lord Coe and London Mayor Boris Johnson, right, unveil the Olympic rings at St Pancras

Londoners and visitors travelling through St Pancras International last night witnessed a spectacular reveal of the first set of giant Olympic rings, marking the first step in using the Olympic symbols on iconic landmarks to transform the capital into the Host City for the London 2012 Games.

The stunning display was revealed by Lord Coe, the chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), Mayor of London Boris Johnson, London 2012 Olympic mascot Wenlock and children from Christ Church Primary School in the London Borough of Camden at a special event in the station.

The aluminium rings measure 20 metres wide by 9 metres high and weigh 2,300 kilograms, and were secretly assembled and installed over seven nights. The Olympic rings are suspended from the roof of the Barlow Train Shed at St Pancras International.

The Olympic rings are one of the world’s most recognisable logos. The five rings – coloured blue, yellow, black, green and red: colours found in every national flag when the symbol was devised in the 19th century – represent the five continents and are interlaced to show the meeting of the world’s athletes during the Olympic Games.

Lord Coe said: “The Olympic Rings are an iconic symbol, inspiring athletes and uniting people around the world. To athletes they represent the culmination of thousands of hours of training and reaching the highest level in sport. To Londoners and visitors alike, they will excite and inspire them about being in a Host City and demonstrate that we are ready to welcome the world in 2012.”

Johnson said: “London is going to be at the centre of the world’s attention throughout 2012 and I want the whole city to harness every opportunity offered by the Games.

“Unveiling the first set of Olympic rings at St Pancras International provides a fantastic glimpse into how the capital is gearing up for this unique event. London is embracing its role of Host City and I am determined to turn this enthusiasm into a lasting legacy for the city for generations to come.

“The rings will be a powerful symbol for millions of visitors using the iconic station that the capital is poised and ready to welcome the world’s greatest sporting stars and put on the best show on earth.”

During the Games St Pancras International will be one of the key access points to the Olympic Park – the Javelin Service from St Pancras International will take 25,000 visitors per hour to and from the Games in a seven-minute journey along the High Speed 1 track to Stratford International.

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100 or visit the website at www.london2012.com. Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog http://blog.london2012.com or follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/london2012


UPCOMING SJA DATES

Thu Mar 31: Tour of London’s Olympic Park. Click here for details of how to apply

Tue Apr 5: SJA Olympic Question Time. Ticket booking to be launched in March.

Wed Apr 13: SJA 2011 Annual Meeting, at offices of UK Sport, Russell Square. Strictly SJA members only.

All details subject to alteration. Keep checking sportsjournalists.co.uk for updates