The Brits are busy preparing for the world’s best athletes, media and sports fans to arrive in less than nine months. They have entered “the hard yards” according to LOCOG Chairman Seb Coe, but everything appears on track so far. As the countdown clock ticks away in London’s Trafalgar Square, Londoners have been treated to some entertaining events and media heads have been given the royal treatment. Here is the latest from London:

500 media heads visit London

“The press are the longest sponsor of the Olympic Games. They have reported on and touched the lives of billions with their coverage of the sporting action over time,” said Seb Coe.

500 Representatives from press organisations, National Olympic Committees and non-rightsholder broadcasters have converged on London this week for a final assessment of planning for the London 2012 Olympic Games. The media’s take on London >>>

Historic UN Olympic Truce Treaty

For the first time in UN history, all 193 member states agreed to co-sponsor the Olympic Truce Resolution ahead of the London Olympic Games.  The Olympic Truce originated to help aid athletes in their travel to and from the Ancient Olympic Games. In 2012 the Truce is focused on engaging young people, promoting more inclusive and peaceful communities, changing attitudes to disability and urban regeneration.

According to the President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge: “ Both the IOC and the UN exist to serve humankind. Both seek to foster harmony between nations and cultures. Both strive to create a more peaceful, prosperous and environmentally sustainable world.”

Track ready to run

Building on the London Olympic Stadium began in May 2008 and construction was completed in just under three years, with the track unveiled this October. The stadium will seat 80,000 spectators during Games time and will be reduced to 60,000 after the Olympics. Seb Coe was the first to run on the track and hopes it will also be the home to the 2017 World Athletics Championships. Read more >>>

Olympic anthem unveiled

Love it or loath it, Coca-Cola has set the official tune for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Grammy award-winning producer Mark Ronson incorporated the sounds of international athletes in training as part of the catchy tune, Move to the Beat. Read more >>>

World first for British icons

Current England long jump champion and London 2012 hopeful J.J. Jegede created a world first, jumping over three Limited edition 2012 MINIs (only 2,012 will be produced) on September 28, 2011.

Heathrow set for world record

Heathrow is the busiest airport in the world and the day after the closing ceremony, 13 August, is expected to be the busiest day in its history.

Britain name football coach, Beckham’s future unknown

England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce has been named as the Great Britain coach for the 2012 Olympics. The manager plans to select players from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland despite independence concerns from these federations.

Recent media reports in London suggest former England captain David Beckham and Ryan Giggs will be two of the overage players called into the squad. Beckham is desperate to play at the Games and was a key member of the London bid in 2005.

Pin swappers arrive in London

Olympic pin collecting is a serious business. Just as athletes have flocked to London to test the waters, 20 pin collectors arrived in the capital from destinations such as Canada, USA and the home of the Olympics, Greece.

Andrew Reid in London
AOC