With less than 100 days until the torch is lit in London for the start of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, London and the world are gearing up and preparing for the hype of it all.
In London, the city is preparing for an influx of tourist to the area during the two week stretch of the Olympics. Currently the average price of a hotel room in the city is 208 pounds, which is roughly $338. The Olympic Organizing committee previously had a large portion of rooms reserved but is beginning to open up some of those rooms to the public which is bringing the average room price down in the city every day.
British airports are also preparing for high tourist traffic. Concerns have already brought to attention at Heathrow airport, where lines at immigration desks have been unexpectedly long. With a large amount of people due in for the Olympics at the end of July, the problem is being worked on.
”The vast majority of passengers pass through immigration control quickly. Queues are caused by a number of factors, including incorrect flight manifests or early or late planes which result in bunching,” said Brian Moore, head of the U.K. Border Force.
He continued saying the airport was, “”fully prepared to manage busy periods during the Olympics and will be implementing our well-rehearsed plans.”
Ticket sales for the Games continue in London, while many tickets have been distributed it is not impossible to grab some tickets for events. Buying last minute tickets doesn’t come without a price though, ticketing packages that include swimming finals and lodging can run as high as $4,700 according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The paper also reports that sing event tickets are still available for sports such as basketball, gymnastics, and volleyball.
What about those of us who can’t commit to traveling across the pond for the Games? The social media is coming alive for Olympic fans everywhere this year. USA Today reported on a new fan experience for Olympic junkies available at hub.olympic.org. The site will play off the Facebook and Twitter pages of over 1,000 Olympic athletes to bring all the updates to one central location. The site will also feature interaction between athletes and fans by hosting “chat sessions” with athletes. According to USA Today, “The Hub also will offer fans exclusive access to Olympic legends such as Mark Spitz, Nadia Comaneci and Edwin Moses.” The Hub will be insider access to fans across everyone with hopes of getting in the action.
The Games will also get their normal following on all facets of NBC broadcasting. The Today Show has added Ryan Seacrest as an Olympic correspondent this year, and has confirmed that Matt Lauer will also return to his Olympic commentating duties.
American athletes are strengthening up and getting ready to get back in the swing of Olympic competition as well. 26 year old Michael Phelps will enter the Olympic swimming pool for his fourth, and final time. An end of an era of sorts for swimming, as Phelps has dominated the pool in his previous three Olympic appearances. While it has not yet been confirmed, the three-time Olympic gold-medalist and NBC swimming analyst, Rowdy Gaines predicts Phelps will enter the pool in seven events.
Other notable athletes returning to action include; 20 year old gymnast Shawn Johnson, sprinting star Usain Bolt of Jamaica, and New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony. British soccer coaches are also making their way to the United States to access if 36 year-old David Beckham will make the cut for the British team.
Whether you are in the action in London, online at The Hub, or glued to NBC on your television, the Summer 2012 London Olympics are sure to give fans everywhere an experience like no other between July 27th and August 12th.
The Pitch 