London 2012 Olympic Games schedule announced

The times, dates and prices to watch more than 600 separate sports sessions at London 2012 have been revealed so people can plan ahead of tickets going on sale next month. More than 2.2million people have already pre-registered for ticketing information.

Some of the highlights include the men’s 100m which takes place on Sunday 5 August.

British athlete Jess Ennis begins her gold medal quest in the heptathlon on Friday 3 August.

London 2012 Chairman Lord Coe said this was the stage where the Games become “very real”.

The double Olympic champion said: “This is a really big moment, a huge moment.”

“I remember this point in the build-up to Los Angeles, and realising I was going to be running seven races in nine days.

“We are now getting to the business end of the project and we know from the number of people who have signed up for ticket information that there is a real hunger from all parts of the country to be there.”

Read more: the full London 2012 Olympic schedule

The schedule for the 2012 Paralympics will be released later this year.

British highlights

The very first event will take place not in London, but in Cardiff – a women’s football match at the Millennium Stadium on 25 July, two days before the opening ceremony.

Lord Coe said: “In terms of the first event taking place in Wales, it sits very well with the work we have done in the nations and regions that the very first event will take place in Cardiff. We have been clear that the football tournament should be UK-wide.”

We are now getting to the business end of the project. Lord Coe

After the women’s football group games on Wednesday and Thursday, the opening ceremony will take place inside the Olympic stadium on Friday 27 July.

Britain’s first strong shot at gold is likely to be in the men’s cycling road race on Saturday 28 July.

See five British medal hopes for £60 (subject to athletes qualifying)

28 July - Cycling road race – Mark Cavendish – Free

2 August – Swimming 800m heats – Rebecca Adlington - £20

4 August – Heptathlon (morning) – Jess Ennis - £20

5 August – Women’s cycling sprint qualifying – Victoria Pendleton - £20

5 August – Women’s marathon – Paula Radcliff - Free

Manxman Mark Cavendish will be among the favourites to be first to cross the finish line among the crowds in the Mall in central London.

The middle weekend will be filled with British medal hopes. As well as Jess Ennis, Christine Ohuruogu and Paula Radcliffe will also be going for gold in athletics.

The golden girl of Beijing, Rebecca Adlington, hopes to defend her 400m swimming title in the Aquatics Centre on Sunday 29 July.

Tom Daley hopes to be competing for his first Olympic diving gold medal on Monday 30 July in the 10m synchronised platform diving final. He goes for individual glory on the final Saturday of the Games.

Stadium legacy

Lord Coe also hopes Britain will push ahead with a bid for the 2017 World Athletics Championship after the future of the running track inside the Olympic Stadium was secured.

The decision by the Olympic Park Legacy Company to choose football club West Ham over Tottenham as future tenant after London 2012 means that the track will remain in place.

Lord Coe, who is also vice-president of the International Association of Athletics Federations, the IAAF, said: “We have not staged a European Championships or World Championships and we should be able to do that now.

“We cannot take these things for granted but I know my colleagues on the IAAF are very keen that London is in a position to be able to punch its weight in track and field.

“Arguably it has been the most successful national sport in the last half-century and now we finally have a place to showcase that talent.”

Should I stay or should I go? Channel 4 News followers announce their Olympic plans: 
Darren Williams (via Facebook): I don't really care. As a Northerner; it's all about how wonderful London is.... yawn.

@garytomwilliams: My priority is just to see one great event in each main London venue. Velodrome, pool, Excel, o2, greenwich pk and stadium. 

@Dave Cross: How much? Look at the pricing for the 100m finals - I can't describe it without using profanity. From beginning to end, this whole thing has been a joke.

Russell Thomas Owen (via Facebook): I'm leaving the country. As a Londoner I've paid too much council tax to bear the cringeworthy disappointment the uk olympics undoubtably will be, especially with the 'coalition' at the helm. Bye

@nicktuckwood: Men's Hockey Final - a calibre that we dont usually get to see over here. Especially after losing the World Cup to Holland.

@Whemever: As someone who lives in "The North", I'll be watching on TV, the costs of going there, staying & the events will be too much.

@LucyTweeting: I hope to get an accessible seat as I use a wheelchair. Priority list of events: athletics, cycling, opening ceremony. 

Samantha Haines (via Facebook): Would love to escape!! x

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