London 2012 – An Inspired Choice of Sporting Venues
Over the years, many of the world’s great cities have hosted the Summer Olympic Games. From Tokyo and Beijing in Asia to Munich and Barcelona in Europe and across the USA from Los Angeles to St Louis, venues have wowed the global audiences and provided the perfect backdrop for some of the most dramatic sporting action ever seen.
Horse Guards Parade (Beach Volleyball), London 2012, UK by Adam Care
In 2012, London hosted the Games for a record third time, and many would argue that the choice of individual event venues was perhaps the finest and most iconic of all time. As well as the spectacular Olympic Stadium itself, there are several brand new locations, but it’s the temporary and pre-existing sites which have really captured the imagination. Here are four of the venues that have made London 2012 so special.
Horse Guards Parade (Beach Volleyball)
The construction of a temporary stadium in the very heart of the city was an inspired choice. Beach Volleyball was unlikely to be an overly popular event in the UK, but placing the action just a short walk from Downing Street, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square gave spectators a unique opportunity to enjoy a little sport and to soak up some of the culture of one of the world’s most iconic cities.
Lord’s Cricket Ground (Archery)
The home of world cricket and one of the finest sports arenas in Britain, Lord’s is located in leafy St John’s Wood, a suburb in the north-west of the city. The hallowed turf has hosted some other sports in the past, but only on an infrequent basis. Archery can be an exciting sport, especially when the action is in full flow, and the thousands of fortunate spectators enjoyed an excellent vantage point from the stands.
Brands Hatch (Road Cycling)
The former host circuit for the British Formula One Grand Prix, Brands Hatch is one of the world’s finest race tracks. It’s located close to Swanley in Kent, and previous GP winners include Nigel Mansell, Niki Lauda, Jack Brabham and the great Jim Clark. In recent years, cycling has become something of an obsession in the United Kingdom, so it’s only right that organisers chose such an impressive venue.
Wimbledon (Tennis)
It’s perhaps fitting that the tennis tournament was held in the most famous venue of its kind in the world. The All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club has hosted the celebrated Grand Slam event for more than a hundred years, and is accustomed to handling huge numbers of spectators. The grass surface is ideal for fast-paced play.
David Showell was born in London and is a big sports fan. He works for a company that provides affordable ferry tickets to the general public.
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