London 2012 Olympics

A look at the buildup to the Summer Games, which kick off July 27 in London.

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July 6, 2005

Crowds in London's Trafalgar Square react to the IOC's announcement of the 2012 Summer Games venue. London snatched the prize from the favorite Paris to become the first city to host the event three times.

ALAN WELLER / BLOOMBERG NEWS

July 6, 2006

Confetti is released over Trafalgar Square during an event to mark the first anniversary of the announcement that London would host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012. The capital city hosted a day of celebrations, including opportunities for the public to try out five different sports, to mark the anniversary.

LEFTERIS PITARAKIS / AP

May 22, 2008

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, left, with Olympic Olympic Development Agency Chairman John Armitt looks at a model of the Olympic Stadium during his visit to the 2012 Summer Games site in east London. Work on the 80,0000-seat showpiece venue began three months ahead of schedule.

PAUL EDWARDS / AP

April 20, 2006

A general view of the main Olymic center being developed in Stratford, east London. The Stratford international train station, which joins to the Channel Tunnel rail service that links London with Paris and Brussels and will also ferry passengers in seven-minute journeys between the 2012 Olympic site and Kings Cross station in central London, can be seen at center.

LEFTERIS PITARAKIS / AP

November 2007

This 2007 artist's impression shows the 2012 Olympic Stadium to be built in London. The showpiece 80,000-seat stadium in Stratford, east London, stands at the heart of the Olympic Park.

Anonymous / ASSOCIATED PRESS

April, 20, 2006

Workers of the newly-completed Stratford international train station salute fellow colleagues as they ride a train in east London. The station joins to the Channel Tunnel rail service that links London with Paris and Brussels and will also ferry passengers in seven-minute journeys between the 2012 Olympic site and Kings Cross station in central London.

LEFTERIS PITARAKIS / AP

July 26, 2011

An aerial view of the Olympic Stadium for the 2012 Summer Games.

Tom Shaw / GETTY IMAGES

July 26, 2011

The Lee Valley White Water Centre will host the Canoe Slalom events.

Tom Shaw / GETTY IMAGES

June 21, 2011

An exterior view of the London 2012 Olympics Aquatics Centre, designed by architect Zaha Hadid. The concrete sections on either side, which will fit 15,000 extra seats, will come off at the end of the Games.

/ VIA BLOOMBERG

Mascot souvenirs sit on display at the London 2012 Olympic store at the Stratford City mall.

Simon Dawson / BLOOMBERG

Oct. 27, 2011

Production begins on the London 2012 victory medals at the Royal Mint in Pontyclun, Wales. A total of 4,700 medals will be made, split between the Olympics and Paralympics. They medals are 85 millimeters in diameter, the heaviest summer Olympic medals made, and production will be completed by spring 2012.

Michael Steele / GETTY IMAGES

Jan. 24, 2012

Queen Underwood poses at the Howard Street Boxing Club in Spokane, Wash., where she is preparing for the Olympic trials.

DAN PELLE / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sept. 28, 2011

Defending England long jump champion and London 2012 hopeful J.J. Jegede attempts an exhibition jump over three Mini Coopers.

Julian Finney / GETTY IMAGES FOR BMW

Jan. 11, 2012

Italy's Vanessa Ferrari chalks the uneven bars before performing during the international gymnastics Olympics test and qualification event at North Greenwich Arena in London.

Matt Dunham / AP

Jan. 13, 2012

Luba Golovina of Georgia is seen in action during the gymnastics trampoline Olympic qualification round at North Greenwich Arena in London.

Paul Gilham / GETTY IMAGES

July 27, 2011

British Olympic diver Tom Daley performs a dive into the pool at the Aquatics Centre during the "London 2012 - One Year To Go" ceremony in Stratford, east London.

WPA Pool / GETTY IMAGES

Jan. 18, 2012

British paddler Mallory Franklin trains at the Lee Valley White Water Centre, the venue for the canoe slalom event, in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire.

LEON NEAL / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Jan. 24, 2012

Stephanie Robie, Maggie Shea and Darby Smith race in the women's match series of the Miami Olympic Classes Regatta on Biscayne Bay in Miami. More than 500 sailors from 44 countries are competing in the stepping stone to the Summer Games.

J Pat Carter / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jan. 17, 2012

A member of the Ukrainian team performs with the ribbon and hoop during the team final of the rhythmic gymnastics qualifier at the North Greenwich Arena in London.

BEN STANSALL / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

July 6, 2011

English gold medal-winning sprinter Marlon Devonish poses on the stadum track at the completed Olympic Stadium.

Handout / GETTY IMAGES

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Novelist Toni Morrison laughs with U.S. President Barack Obama before being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. The Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honor. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg *** Local Caption *** Toni Morrison; Barack Obama

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PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 29: Serena Williams of USA stretches to plays a forehand in her women's singles first round match between Serena Williams of USA and Virginie Razzano of France during day three of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2012 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

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Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

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ANNAPOLIS, MD- MAY 29: Graduates cheer as the Blue Angels fly over during the 100th anniversary of the United States Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremonies in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. U.S Sec. of Defense Leon Edward Panetta gave the graduation address. (Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

U.S. Naval Academy graduation

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta gave the commencement address at the ceremony.

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