London 2012 Olympics 101

The Olympics Games start with the Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in London on the evening of Friday 27 July. It then runs until Sunday 12 August.

There is a short break, before the Paralympic Games starts on 29 August and runs until 9 September.

You can see the full competition schedule online.

Even if you are not attending the London 2012 Olympic Games your travel in London is going to be affected as visitor numbers will increase dramatically and certain sections of the transport network will be under more stress than normal.

There is no spectator parking at any of the venues so you are advised to use public transport. All tickets for events in London include a one day London Transport Games Travelcard so your travel across London will be covered for the day.

Find out more about How to Get Around During the London 2012 Olympic Games.

On the Olympic Park we have:
• Aquatics Centre - Diving, Swimming, Synchronised Swimming, Paralympic Swimming, Modern Pentathlon
• Basketball Arena - Basketball, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby, Handball
• BMX Track - BMX Cycling
• Copper Box - Handball, Goalball, Modern Pentathlon
• Eton Manor - Wheelchair Tennis
• Olympic Stadium - Athletics, Paralympic Athletics
• Riverbank Arena - Hockey, Paralympic Five-a-side Football, Paralympic Seven-a side Football
• Velodrome - Track Cycling, Paralympic Track Cycling
• Water Polo Arena - Water Polo

Be aware, that the Olympic Park is huge (500 acres) so walking time between the venues will likely be longer than you expect.

Other London Venues (Not at The Olympic Park)
• Earl's Court - Volleyball
• Excel - Boxing, Fencing, Judo, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Boccia, Paralympic Table Tennis, Paralympic Judo, Paralympic Powerlifting, Sitting Volleyball, Wheelchair Fencing
• Greenwich Park - Equestrian events: Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, Paralympic Equestrian, Modern Pentathlon
• Hampton Court Palace - Road Cycling (Time Trial)
• Horse Guards Parade - Beach Volleyball
• Hyde Park - Triathlon, Marathon Swimming
• Lord's Cricket Ground - Archery
• North Greenwich Arena (aka The O2) - Artistic Gymnastics, Trampoline, Basketball, Wheelchair Basketball
• The Mall - Athletics (Marathon and Race Walk), Paralympic Athletics (Marathon), and Road Cycling (Road Race)
• The Royal Artillery Barracks - Shooting, Paralympic Shooting, Paralympic Archery
• Wembley Arena - Badminton; Rhythmic Gymnastics
• Wembley Stadium - Football
• Wimbledon - Tennis

Out of London Venues
• Brands Hatch - Paralympic Road Cycling (Road Race and Time Trial)
• City of Coventry Stadium - Football
• Eton Dorney - Rowing, Paralympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint
• Hadleigh Farm - Mountain Bike
• Hampden Park - Football
• Lee Valley White Water Centre - Canoe Slalom (I've tried it!)
• Millennium Stadium - Football
• Old Trafford (Manchester) - Football
• St James's Park (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) - Football
• Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour - Sailing, Paralympic Sailing

As well as sporting events, don't forget we have the London 2012 Festival as part of the Cultural Olympiad and the Olympic Torch Relay from 19 May to 27 July and Paralympic Torch Relay is from 2 to 29 August.

Marathon (see route)
Women – Sunday 5 August 2012
Men – Sunday 12 August 2012

Race Walk (see route)
Women – Saturday 11 August 2012
Men – Saturday 4 & 11 August 2012

Triathlon (Hyde Park)
Women – Saturday 4 August 2012
Men – Tuesday 7 August 2012

Cycling Road Race & Time Trial (see route)
Men's Road Race – 28 July 2012
Women's Road Race – 29 July 2012
Time Trials – 1st August 2012 (women morning, men afternoon)

Archery (Lord's Cricket Ground)
Friday 27 July 2012

See also: Where to Watch London Olympics 2012 Free.