Welcome to London 2012!
In 2012 London, one of the most international cities in the world, will cement its reputation for vibrant multiculturalism as it plays host to the Olympic Games.
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London’s Olympic history is long and distinguished. It spans over 100 years, from the 1908 Summer Games via the 1948 Games to the present day. In just two years from now, in 2012, London will become the first city to host the Olympic Games for the third time.
London 2012 will be the United Kingdom’s biggest-ever sporting event. Between them, the Olympic and Paralympic Games will bring together a record number of athletes, visitors and media representatives. Preparations for the Games are fully on track and construction on all the venues is well under way, bringing new life to East London in particular. The Games are generating great excitement and enthusiasm across the country.
London is truly a global city. This is what makes it such a natural host for the 2012 Games. Dramatic, historic, enigmatic and full of interesting people and their captivating stories - like the Olympic Games themselves - it is hard to imagine a more dynamic and fitting backdrop than London for the ultimate celebration of human achievement.
Tradition is deeply woven into the Olympic Games. One such is the striking of commemorative coins. The first modern Olympic-themed coins were struck to commemorate the 1952 Olympic Summer Games in Helsinki. Since then numerous countries have issued their own Olympic coins.
To honour this tradition the UK’s Royal Mint, the world’s foremost export mint with a history stretching back 1000 years, is creating a spectacular series of coins to commemorate the London Olympic Games. The official “Handover” coin was the very first of its kind, the design of which shows the transfer of the Olympic flag from the 2008 Beijing Games to the London 2012 Games. Other exciting London commemorative coins have already been struck, with more to follow as the Games approach. All the commemorative coins will celebrate the unique spirit of the Olympic Games as well as the culture and history of London and the United Kingdom.
Peter Carter
British Ambassador to Estonia
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