London 2012

The next Olympic Games - the 2012 summer olympics - will be held in London, England from 27 July to 12 August 2012.The table tennis events will run from Saturday 28 July to Wednesday 8 August 2012.

Brand controversy ...

When London 2012 unveiled their brand logo / emblem for the 2012 Olympic Games, there was widespread dislike of its design.

But this is what the organisers said ...

"The number 2012 is universal and understandable worldwide.
Our emblem is simple, distinct, bold and buzzing with energy. Its form is inclusive yet consistent and has incredible flexibility to encourage access and participation. It can communicate with anyone from commercial organisations to kids playing sport.
It feels young in spirit. Full of confidence, certainty and opportunity. Not afraid to shake things up, to challenge the accepted. To change things.
For the first time, the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be part of the same brand family.
Our brand will have impact across everything we do, there are huge possibilities, but we have a clear ambition.
Our Games will be for everyone."

2012 summer olympics table tennis venue

The London 2012 Olympic Games table tennis events will be held at the ExCeL London.

Opened in 2000, it's a large multi-purpose venue which incorporates several large event halls and has room for thousands of visitors.

The ExCeL London also sits in a stunning location. With it's own 100-acre waterfront campus in the heart of east London's Royal Docks, it's adjacent to Canary Wharf and close to the City.

It also has five on-site hotels and dozens of on-site bars and restaurants. There's also easy access to railway stations and airports, plus parking for 4,000 cars, so it should make a great venue for the Olympic Games.

This venue will also stage boxing, fencing, judo, taekwondo, weightlifting and wrestling.

After the Olympic Games, ExCeL London will revert to its role as one of Europe's largest and most versatile exhibition and conference spaces.

Watching the games

Tickets for the 2012 summer olympics won't go on sale until 2011 but, subject to availability, they'll remain on sale until the start of every event.
Details of how to purchase tickets will be announced nearer the time, but they will be available through various Authorised Ticket Resellers depending on your country of residence.
If you are not a resident of the UK or European Economic Area, regardless of citizenship, you will be required to apply for tickets via your National Olympic Committee (NOC) or National Paralympic Committee (NPC). Some NOCs or NPCs may appoint an Authorised Ticket Reseller (ATR) in order to obtain tickets and services.
London 2012 have said that they aim to give as many people as possible the chance to attend the Games – thereby ensuring a great atmosphere for all the events - so they say tickets will be priced fairly.
They're also aiming to repeat the success of the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, where 90 per cent of tickets were sold.
Each ticket will also include free travel on public transport in London for the day of the event, to encourage spectators to use the transport system and take in the festivities throughout the city.

Sensation. Misty May-Treanor, Kerri Walsh reunite

  Two-time defending Olympic beach volleyball champions Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor will reunite for a try at a third gold medal at the 2012 games in London.

  Walsh's agent confirmed this week that the two will play together in qualifying events. NBCSports.com first reported the decision.

The two Americans played together in Athens and Beijing. Walsh took time off for two pregnancies, and May-Treanor injured her Achilles tendon in 2008 rehearsing for Dancing with the Stars.

Walsh finished last season with 2008 Olympian Nicole Branagh.

O-L-Y-M-P-I-C G-A-M-E-S

© Ken Budden

Only for those of a special breed,
Living a dream, a chance to succeed,
Yesterday's hopes and desires coming true,
Making your mark with records anew
Proving hard work and the daily grind,
Instructing the body, conditioning the mind
Can capture a medal for the whole world to see, with
Glamour and Pride for your country,
As you stand aloft and you flag is flown high, there's
Memories forever, and a tear in your eye,
Enjoying the moment, the admiring looks,
Securing you name in the history books.

Japan Earthquake

   The 2011 Sendai earthquake and tsunami was an 8.9-magnitude megathrust earthquake that created tsunami waves of up to 10 metres (33 ft).  It was measured at 7 on the Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale in the northern Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, with an initially-reported magnitude of 7.9, while the JMA’s tsunami warning listed the magnitude as 8.4, later updated to 8.8. 

                                Parts of northern Japan were rocked by three strong earthquake

2 of 8 More than 20 people are known to have died, and at least 2,000 were injured.

3 of 8 The earthquakes tore up roads and destroyed houses.

4 of 8 Even one of Japan's famous bullet trains was derailed - the first time this has happened.

5 of 8 By Saturday night, thousands of people had made their way to evacuation centres, afraid of further tremors.

6 of 8 On Sunday, tens of thousands spent another night in emergency shelters, as aftershocks continued to hit the area.

7 of 8 Rescuers are continuing to search for those still stranded by heavy rains and mudslides caused by the quakes.

8 of 8 On Monday, Tokyo's stock market fell sharply in response to the weekend's events.

                                             The earthquakes tore up roads and destroyed houses.

             Even one of Japan's famous bullet trains was derailed - the first time this has happened.

   News reports by Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) indicate that at least 300 people have died and another 530 are missing in six different prefectures, although it is feared the total number of dead could be far higher. The magnitude of 8.9 made it the largest earthquake to hit Japan in recorded history and the seventh largest in the world since records began.

 

                       More than 20 people are known to have died, and at least 2,000 were injured.

    The earthquake triggered a tsunami warning for Japan’s Pacific coast and at least 20 countries, including the entire Pacific coast of North and South America from Alaska to Chile. The tsunami warning issued by Japan was the most serious on its warning scale, implying that the wave was expected to be 10 meters (33 ft) high. According to Kyodo news agency, a wave that high was observed flooding Sendai Airport, which is located near the coast of Miyagi prefecture, with waves sweeping aside cars and flooding various buildings as they traveled inland. Kyodo news agency has reported a four-meter-(13 ft) high tsunami hitting Iwate Prefecture in Japan. A 0.5-meter (20 in)-high wave hit Japan’s northern coast Reports indicate that the wall of water was higher than some Pacific islands and the danger of tsunami flooding prompted warnings for almost the entire Pacific basin.

                                                      Map of the Sendai Earthquake 2011

   Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced the government has mobilized the Japanese Self-Defense Forces in various earthquake disaster zones. He asked the Japanese public to act calmly and tune into various media for updated information.He also reported numerous nuclear power plants have automatically shut down to prevent damage and radiation leaks. PM Kan also setup emergency headquarters in his office to coordinate the government’s response.

                                                           Photo Of A Real Tsunami Wave