With just 500 days remaining until the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, organisers have unveiled a huge countdown clock in London’s iconic Trafalgar Square.

The launch of the clock signifies a key moment in the build-up to the Olympic Games, reminding everyone that it is now a matter of days until the UK capital gets set to host the world’s best athletes.

“The launch of the OMEGA Countdown Clock is an important milestone for any Olympic Games and is something of a tradition within the Olympic Movement,” LOCOG Chairman Seb Coe said.

“It will be a daily and hourly reminder to everyone who visits Trafalgar Square that the countdown to the start of London 2012 has well and truly begun and that the greatest show on earth is soon coming to our country.”

Preparations for the Games in London are well underway with venues in the Olympic Park precinct rapidly taking shape.

In recent weeks, a number of other key announcements have been made for the Games including the designers of the Torch that will be used for the 70-day Olympic Torch Relay. Designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby will create the Torch which will arrive carrying the Olympic Flame on 18 May 2012 and be carried by 8,000 Torchbearers across the UK showcasing the beautiful and diverse areas to the world.

LOCOG also announced the test event schedule for the Games. The comprehensive testing program will form a key part of the Committee’s preparations for the Games and will focus primarily on testing the field of play, results, scoring and timing systems, as well as key operational procedures and functions. These events, which will run from May 2011 to April 2012, will also allow Australia’s prospective Olympic athletes to compete at the venues prior to the start of the Games.

The Australian Team, under the leadership of Chef de Mission Nick Green, is aiming to achieve a top five placing with an expected team size of 430 athletes.

Recent results in national championships are showing that Australian athletes are on track for success, leading into world events and eventually, in 500 days, into London.

The Australian Rowing Championships have just wrapped up in Adelaide, with some remarkable results especially in the men’s crews. Three-time Olympic gold medallist Drew Ginn and partner Josh Dunkley-Smith took the crown in the men’s pair. The following day the pair then teamed up with Duncan Free and James Chapman to claim the men’s four title against some strong competition.

Also in Adelaide over the weekend was the Australian Beach Volleyball Championships. Olympians Natalie Cook, Tamsin Hinchley (Barnett) and Louise Bawden were all out to win, teaming up with different partners as they target the maximum of two teams able to qualify for London. It was Bawden, a Sydney 2000 Olympian in indoor volleyball, who took out the title alongside former junior world champions Becchara Palmer.

Strong results at the recent National Track Cycling Championships put the Aussie team in good stead ahead of the World Championships, taking place in the Netherlands from 23-27 March. Nine members of the team are defending world titles won in 2010 when Australia topped the medal table with six gold, two silver and two bronze medals. All eyes will be on Olympic champion Anna Meares who heads to the Netherlands in a good position after a successful season so far. Meares will contest the sprint events alongside Kaarle McCulloch and 2006 Winter Olympian Emily Rosemond.

The next few months will also see the Hockeyroos in action against Argentina, the first triathlon in the world championship series, rowing and canoe/kayak selection trials and the swimming national championships which will decide the team for the upcoming worlds in China in July.

One thing is for sure, the next 500 days are going to fly.

Alice Wheeler
AOC