| Not since 1996, when England hosted the European | | | | passengers across the city. |
| Championships, has the country held a major sporting | | | | There are expected to be around eight million tickets |
| event. In 2012 that is set to change as London | | | | for the Olympics available, with half of them priced |
| becomes the venue for the Olympic Games. | | | | under £20 to ensure bustling crowds at all events. |
| Having hosted the Summer Olympics twice previously | | | | This means all visitors – from those in top range |
| – in 1908 and 1948 – the English capital certainly | | | | hotels to those in budget hotels in London – will be |
| has history with the event, but even still there are | | | | able to snap up tickets for at least part of the |
| surprises abound with improvements needed to | | | | extravaganza. |
| stadiums, transport and accommodation. | | | | Sensibly, accommodation for the Olympians will be |
| With around seven million permanent residents, it's hard | | | | spread across the city to ensure all competitors are |
| to imagine how the city's infrastructure will cope with | | | | housed close to where they need to be to compete, |
| the extra influx of athletes and sports fans that will be | | | | rather than in an all encompassing Olympic Village as |
| descending on the city from the end of July – | | | | per tradition, but a tradition that has become outdated |
| traditionally a busy tourist season in any year. | | | | as the games have grown and the events no longer |
| The International Olympic Committee has been thinking | | | | all take place in one place. |
| about this since 2005 – when the games were | | | | The events will be taking place in a mixture of old |
| awarded to London – so big changes are expected | | | | venues that the city is known for – such as |
| in the city. The world famous underground has seen | | | | Wembley, Lord's and the O2 Arena - as well as |
| changes, with an expansion made to the East London | | | | specially constructed arenas. As well as new sporting |
| Line and upgrades have been made to the North | | | | venues, the city will see other new buildings going up. |
| London Line and the Docklands Light Railway as well. | | | | The Shard, for example, is due to be finished in May |
| On top of this a brand new rail service has been | | | | 2012 and standing at 1017 feet it is sure to be a major |
| created – named in Olympic fashion as the Javelin | | | | sight on the London skyline. |
| – which features bullet trains that will speedily take | | | | |