Here are Britain’s final results of the Summer 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Great Britain does not have an Olympic football team at the moment, but hopefully by the 2012 games Britain will manage to put together a team. Football is Britain’s national sport, and David Beckham is possibly the most famous footballer of all time, so Team GB should definitely put in a team in 2012.

How To Buy Olympic Tickets

6.6 million tickets will be available and you have to apply for tickets by 26th April. It will not be a first come first served basis, which will hopefully mean that the Olympic tickets website will not crash to a surge in demand.

Prices start at £20, but tickets for major finals are going to cost a lot more, especially tickets on the finish line in the athletics track. If you want to see Usain Bolt then you will have to be prepared to pay a premium and still need to be lucky.

You can apply for tickets through the London 2012 ticketing database and you will receive more information on how to buy London Games tickets from there.

The London 2012 tickets database is just for UK and European residents. If you live outside of Europe you need to apply through your local National Olympic Committee offices.

The duo will lead the evening’s entertainment, which takes place in the stunning surroundings of The Great Room at the Grosvenor Hotel in London, and will be joined by a series of high profile entertainers throughout the evening, including: Mark Ronson, Jamie Cullum, the Sugababes, Dynamo and DJ Lora.

Best of British in Olympic sport

The star-studded event is a celebration of the Best of British in Olympic sport, and serves as a critical fundraiser for the British Olympic Association to support our nation’s current and future Olympic athletes.  A collection of Team GB’s brightest Olympic stars will be in attendance, including legends such as five-time Olympic Champion Sir Steve Redgrave, and athletes who will be going for gold for the first time in London 2012, such as World and European Heptathlon Champion Jessica Ennis.

Planning for this unique occasion is being led by Committee Chairman and BOA Director of Sport Sir Clive Woodward, as well as Athlete Co-Chairs; sailing triple gold medallist Ben Ainslie CBE and former BBC Sports Personality of the Year award winner Zara Phillips MBE.

The Olympic Ball Will Be A Sell Out

A limited number of tickets remain available for the Ball, but are expected to sellout soon.  Guests will enjoy a champagne reception and four-course dinner before being treated to an exciting evening of music and entertainment – all in support of Team GB.

For more information or to book your table, visit www.britisholympicball.com or contact britisholympicball@fireball.co.uk

The British Olympic Association and Team GB would like to thank BT, Official Presenting Partner of the British Olympic Ball and Official Supporting Partners adidas, BMW and BP for their support.

The athletes, aged 14-18, will participate alongside 3,600 competitors from all 205 National Olympic Committees in a competition schedule which includes all 26 sports on the London 2012 Olympic Programme.

The British contingent will include 2009 World and 2008 European 10m platform diving champion Tom Daley, who was Team GB’s youngest competitor at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Alongside Daley in Team GB will be Victoria Ohuruogu, the 400m England Indoor Under-20 Champion and younger sister of current Olympic 400m Champion Christine.

Ohuruogu is joined in Team GB by 12 fellow athletics competitors, including fellow Londoner David Bolarinwa, who impressed at the recent European Youth Olympic Trials in Moscow where he won gold and silver in the 100m and 200m respectively to qualify in style for Singapore.

Gymnast Sam Oldham will be looking to continue his excellent form, which saw him achieve a hat-trick of gold medals at the European Junior  Championships in Birmingham earlier this year.

Northern Ireland’s Mark Nesbitt will be going for gold in the archery competition, having claimed double gold for Team GB at the 2009 Australian Olympic Festival and silver at both the World and European Junior Championships in 2009. Earlier this year Nesbitt was GB’s highest placed archer, finishing sixth at the European Senior Championships.

“The International Olympic Committee is to be applauded for creating this inspirational youth event. The Youth Olympic Games raises the bar in terms of the delivery of educational and sport programmes to young people. It will be a celebration not only of sport, fitness and healthy lifestyles, but also of the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.” British Olympic Association Chairman Colin Moynihan.

On the tennis court Britain’s Oliver Goulding will be aiming to build on his excellent display at Wimbledon earlier this month which took him to  the semi-final of the junior event. He is also a Junior Davis Cup finalist and is the current British under-18 number one.

The athletes will be joined in Singapore by 1,450 officials, 1,500 media representatives, 20,000 local and international volunteers, and more than
370,000 spectators.

In creating the YOG, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) hopes to inspire young people around the world to participate in sport and to embrace, embody and express the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect.

The YOG will provide a balance between sport, education and culture. In addition to participating in their sport competitions, athletes will also take part in a Culture and Education Programme (CEP) – which includes 50 activities focused on five themes: Olympism, Skills Development, Well-being and Healthy Lifestyle, Social Responsibility and Expression.

“It’s a huge privilege to be taking such a talented group of young athletes to compete for Team GB at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. I’m confident that we will see some exciting performances and the athletes will display skill, determination and pride to achieve their personal best for Team GB in Singapore. “Importantly, the Youth Olympic Games are about more than just sporting competition. It will provide the young Team GB athletes with an excellent opportunity to participate in a multi-sport event, and experience living and competing with over 3,500 competitors from across the world.” Team GB Youth Olympic Games Chef de Mission Jan Paterson.

“I want to give a real boost to competitive sport in schools using the power of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games to encourage young people whatever age or ability to take part in this new competition. Sport, whether you win or lose, teaches young people great lessons for life. It encourages teamwork, dedication and striving to be the best that you can be.” Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

There is currently a network of 450 schools and partners that are working together to help improve competitive sports and encourage children to try to find a sport or event that they can excel in. The goal is to give every child an opportunity to find their inner athlete – every person has the potential to excel in an Olympic or Paralympic sporting event.

On the announcement of the new plans for the sports in schools the British Olympic Association (BOA) stated:

“We are in full support of the new competitive school sport initiative introduced today and congratulate the Secretaries of State, Jeremy Hunt and Michael Gove for their revitalised commitment to school sport.

The programme will provide a true framework of competition across many sports, providing a great pool of talent for our governing bodies of sport. In addition to encouraging a healthier, more active lifestyle, participation in competitive sport delivers lessons that are applicable to every aspect of life. Values such as perseverance, teamwork, self-confidence and tolerance should be learned at an early age, and competitive sport provides an ideal framework for doing so.

We look forward to working with government and the governing bodies of sport on the new proposals set out today which we believe will provide a lasting legacy for sport post-2012.”

This could be a sign that school sports are going to finally start to improve again. Many state schools have seen their athletics and sports education decline dramatically in recent decades with some schools even abandoning in the annual school sports day.

Maybe state schools also do not have adequate facilities at the moment to help young athletes develop. Some secondary schools have no athletics fields at all, so track and field events are impossible to practice. Although gymnasiums are still the centre piece of many schools the equipment if often out of date and rarely used.

Hopefully this government initiative will actually see new sporting facilities opening that allow children to learn and develop their athletic skills and for games teachers to actually be able to spot raw talent.

He will not be working alone though, Stephen Daldry, director and producer of Billy Elliot will also be on the team, along with Mark Fisher who worked on the Beijing Games, Hamish Hamilton who specialises in concerts and award shows, and Catherine Ugwu who produced the closing ceremonies at the Commonwealth Games in 2002 as well as working in the Millennium Dome and Nottinghill Carnival.

“These Games are bringing together world-class British talent. Each one of these individuals would hold their own on the worldwide stage. They are joining names like children’s author Michael Morpurgo who has created the story behind our highly successful mascots. We are delighted with the team we have brought together to deliver our ceremonies in 2012.” Lord Seb Coe, chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

Taking place in the stunning surrounds of The Great Room at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, the British Olympic Ball will be attended by a host of current and future stars of Team GB, alongside over 50 Olympic legends. To add further glamour to the evening major celebrities from the worlds of sport, fashion and entertainment will be joining in for a unique night of Olympic celebration.

The British Olympic Ball serves as an important fundraising event for the BOA to support our present and future Olympic talent who have dedicated their lives in pursuit of fulfilling Britain’s Olympic dreams at London 2012 and beyond. Funds raised at the event will directly benefit Britain’s Olympic hopefuls through the delivery of world class services and supporting Team GB preparations.

Sir Clive Woodward, British Olympic Ball Chairman said:

“This exceptional event will be crucial to our ambition of achieving gold medal success with Team GB at London 2012. It represents a unique opportunity for individuals and organisations to play their part in creating Team GB Olympic success and helping to inspire the nation with Olympic pride in 2012. The event is shaping up to be a superb night of Olympic celebration in support of British athletes.”

For ticket package prices and further information please visit www.britisholympicball.com or contact britisholympicball@fireball.co.uk

Making his first major speech since taking office, the Minister outlined his vision for a series of structural changes and reforms designed to create  a stronger system for sport across Britain.

He made his speech to representatives from the National Governing Bodies of Olympic sports and the Olympic Movement, in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, President of the BOA.

“We greatly appreciate the Minister taking time to join members of our Olympic sports at today’s meeting and present his vision to reform sport in the UK. We share his ambition to deliver a lasting legacy from the 2012 Games, so it was appropriate that his plans should be announced here at the British Olympic Association, the home of Olympic and Paralympic sport. We are pleased to have the opportunity to work closely with the Minister in developing an even stronger system for sport in our nation, and expanding opportunities for participation in sport for athletes of every age and level of ability.” Colin Moynihan, Chairman of the BOA

Parsons, 39, joined the BOA at the start of 2009, initially as Director of Communications. He then moved into in a new role as Director of Sport Liaison, advising and promoting British athletes and National Governing Bodies. He served as press attaché with Team GB at the recent Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada.

Before joining the BOA, Parsons spent seven years with the BBC, working as Sports Correspondent and also as a presenter on the BBC News Channel. His career also encompassed spells as Sports Editor of Sunday Business newspaper and Motor Racing Correspondent of The Sunday Times.

Andy Hunt, Chief Executive of the British Olympic Association, said: “Adam has played an important role at the BOA, notably in creating stronger ties between our organisation and the athletes and sports we serve. His experience and knowledge in this regard has been invaluable.

“While we are disappointed to see him depart, we fully support his decision to pursue this new professional opportunity and wish him the very best for continued success in his career.”

Adam Parsons said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the British Olympic Association and will leave with many happy memories, especially those that came from working with athletes and my BOA colleagues during the Olympic Winter Games earlier this year.

“The 2012 Olympic Games will be wonderful for Great Britain, and for everyone involved in British Olympic sport, and I wish the BOA the very best of luck for the future. And, as a sports fan, I’ll still be cheering on all our athletes, in both summer and winter sports.”

Adam Parsons has accepted a new position as Director of Communications for hotel chain Travelodge.

Source: www.olympics.org.uk

The ‘British Olympic Ball’ will see BOA President HRH The Princess Royal welcome a host of current and future stars of Team GB, alongside over 60 Olympic legends and major celebrities from the worlds of sport, fashion and entertainment, bringing together the ‘Best of British’ personalities in the stunning surrounds of The Great Room at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

The contemporary event will take place on Friday 24th September 2010, as Britain’s Olympic hopefuls intensify their preparations, with less than two years to go until Team GB’s athletes enter the London 2012 Opening Ceremony with dreams of becoming Olympic Champions on home soil.

The British Olympic Ball serves as an important fundraising event for the BOA to support our present and future Olympic talent, who have dedicated their lives in pursuit of reaching the podium and fulfilling Britain’s Olympic dreams in London and beyond. Funds raised at the event will directly benefit Britain’s Olympic hopefuls through the delivery of world class services and Team GB preparations.

Planning for this unique occasion is being led by Committee Chairman and Olympic Performance Director Sir Clive Woodward, and Athlete Co-Chairs; sailing triple gold medallist Ben Ainslie CBE and BBC Sports Personality of the Year award winner Zara Phillips MBE.

Tickets for the flagship Olympic fundraising event will go on sale on June 14th and demand is anticipated to be extremely high, with the 1,100 tickets available expected to sell out quickly.

Guests at the exclusive bash will enjoy a champagne reception and four-course dinner before being treated to gold medal standard music and entertainment. It is also anticipated that a very special surprise announcement will be revealed on the night, creating a new landmark in British sport.

Sir Clive Woodward, British Olympic Ball Chairman said:

“We are in a unique, exciting period for British Olympic sport. In 2012, Team GB will be represented by the largest number of athletes since London first hosted the Games in 1908. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and represents a huge challenge for the BOA. Without doubt, this exceptional fundraising event is crucial to our ambition of achieving gold medal success with Team GB at London 2012. This is your chance to play a part in creating Team GB Olympic success and helping to inspire the nation with British Olympic pride in 2012.”

For more information visit www.britisholympicball.com or contact britisholympicball@fireball.co.uk