Home > The Games > Summer Olympics >

30th Olympic Games: London 2012

2012-10-17 13:47 COC

Date: 27 July - 12 August 2012
Country of the host city: Great Britain
NOCs: 204
Venues: 34
Athletes: 10,500
Sports: 26
Disciplines: 39
Events: 302
Media: 21,000
Volunteers: 70,000


As IOC President Jacques Rogge commented on the London 2012 Olympic Games, "These were happy and glorious Games." The Games began in spectacular fashion with an entertaining and eccentric Opening Ceremony that dazzled hundreds of millions of viewers around the world. That celebration of British culture set the tone for an incredible 16 days of Olympic action, with passionate fans filling venues and creating a party atmosphere across the host country.

From spectacular sporting performances and landmark moments in Olympic history, to the party atmosphere throughout the host country and the dedication of the volunteers, the London 2012 Olympic Games have also provided many magical moments. On the track, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt successfully defended the three Olympic titles he won four years ago in Beijing, becoming the first man to ever win back-to-back gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. American swimmer Michael Phelps also secured his place in Olympic folklore by becoming the most decorated Olympian in the history of the Games, winning four golds and two silvers in the Aquatics Centre to take his total medal tally to 22.

For China, thanks to the country’s tremendous progress since the opening up and reforms of 30 years ago, the support of the government at all levels and the dedication of the athletes, the medal haul of 38 golds, 27 silvers and 23 bronzes for a total of 88 medals at London 2012 was China’s best Olympic results outside the Beijing Olympics four years ago. However, While being successful in traditional sports such as table tennis, badminton, diving and gymnastics, China still has a lot of ground to make up in track and field and in team ball sports.