Giant Olympic rings mark one-month milestone
London landmark Tower Bridge is adorned with an enormous set of Olympic rings to mark the countdown to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Weighing more than three tonnes and measuring 25 by 11.5 metres, the rings were lowered into place between the bridge’s two towers on Wednesday morning.
The ceremony was overseen by Seb Coe, chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Stuart Fraser of the City of London Corporation.
Manufactured in Yorkshire, the rings have cost £259,817 to produce and installation has cost £53,000. Costs for the rings have been met from the Games’ £32m look and celebration budget – which will pay for architectural installations and cultural events across London.
The rings will be replaced by the Paralympic agitos for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Mr Johnson said: “With just a month to go, we are making our final preparations and want to ensure each and every person in the capital gets a flavour of the celebrations and feels part of the Games.
“Our fantastic – and free – cultural festival will be springing up in every London borough, with more surprises over coming weeks so prepare to be delighted, wherever you are in the capital.”
Lord Coe said: “The Olympic Rings are an iconic symbol, inspiring athletes and uniting people around the world. To athletes they represent the culmination of thousands of hours of training and reaching the highest level in sport.”
The rings will be lit by 1,800 energy-efficient LED lights and 2,000 metres of energy-efficient LED linear lights through a deal struck between the Mayor of London, the City of London and sponsors EDF and GE.
The lights will remain in place for the next 25 years. A light show will take place on Wednesday evening to mark the one-month milestone till the Games begin.
Olympic rings have been installed at two other London “gateways” – King’s Cross St Pancras station and Heathrow airport.
