Though Londoners have been counting down to the 2012 Summer Olympics since they won the bid seven years ago (note: Paris may still be a bit bitter), the rest of the world is only now recognizing just how soon the world’s greatest competition will commence. With only a matter of months left until the July 27 Opening Ceremonies, many are realizing that tickets to the Games may be unrealistic – not to mention expensive. To get in the spirit without paying an Olympic price, we’re encouraging supporters – of whatever home country – to find some alternative ways to participate without breaking the bank.
Check out free events
The marathon course at this year’s Olympics will start and end at The Mall near Buckingham Palace, passing a number of London landmarks. Pick a spot along the way for either the men’s (Sunday, Aug. 5) or the women’s marathon (Sunday, Aug. 12) and watch as well-paced athletes earn Olympic glory for both themselves and their counties. It’s a great way to have a view of all the competitors in one spot – and for no cash (note: The Mall – start and finish – will be ticketed).
The Men’s 20km race walk (Aug. 4), Men’s 50km race walk and women’s 20km race walk (Aug. 11) (you’ll need tickets for some of The Mall’s viewing areas). Women’s triathlon (cycling) (Aug. 4) and Men’s triathlon (cycling) (Aug. 7) – parts of the route from Hyde Park, via Wellington Arch, Constitution Hill and Birdcage Walk (front of Buckingham Palace), are open to spectators.
Men’s cycling road race (July 28) and Women’s cycling road race (July 29) – spectators may watch parts of the route free of charge from The Mall, via west London and out to Surrey and back. The Men’s and Women’s individual road cycling time trials (Aug. 1) – start start and end at Hampton Court Palace in Richmond and are free.
Check out the London Visitor Charter
Buy from companies that are listed in the London Visitor Charter. The likes of Eurostar, the Tower of London, Tom Aikens’ restaurants and Indian eatery chain Masala Zone have all pledged “fair pricing and practice during the Games.”
Join the crowds at the London Live Sites
From the big three locations in London – Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square and Victoria Park – to the 20-plus other locations across the United Kingdom, there will be big-screen viewings of medal ceremonies and competitions, free concerts and contests – all designed to include locals and visitors alike in the Olympic experience as it unfolds.
Skip London altogether
For less crowds and costs, try events taking place outside of London. Some venues, such as those for mountain biking, kayaking, rowing and canoeing are a mere 20-50km away. A tad farther away, Wales, Scotland and spots along British coastline and across the countryside will host Olympic events. Soccer tournaments (in Manchester, Coventry, Glasgow, Newcastle and Cardiff) and sailing events (in Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbor) will make for a very different summer getaway destination than London.
Take a pre-Olympics tour of London
London has been prepping like crazy to host the world at the upcoming Games. The city will look its best in the months and weeks leading up to the Olympics and, with last year’s Royal Wedding and this year’s Queen’s Diamond Jubilee (early June) as feathers already in its cap, London has proven it’s ready to take the stage. With billions of pounds invested in updating and readying the city – from public transportation to landmark destinations to the creation of the Olympic Park – this is a chance to see the best of London and get an insider’s view of the final preparations for the main events and venues.
Attend the Paralympics
Every four years, after the national network trucks and camera crews roll out of town, the much more intimate and often more inspiring Paralympians take over the village, competing in virtually all the same sports. As some of the world’s most impressive athletes, these competitors have put aside injury, illness and inequality to rise to the top of their sports. The crowds and prices for the Paralympics, running from August 29 – September 9, are less overwhelming, but the performances and achievements are arguably more so.
Follow the torch
Though the torch relay is sticking to the United Kingdom (as opposed to an international route), the destinations on the map are still worthy side trips. The tradition kicks off against a spectacular backdrop in Land’s End, England, on Saturday, May 19. By the beginning of June, the flame will burn through Belfast and Northern Ireland, then to Edinburgh and Scotland by mid month. On the 70th day – July 27 – the torch will reach the Olympic Stadium, and the Games will officially commence.
Visit a past Olympic host city
Visit one or more of your favorite Olympic host cities. From Athens and Tokyo to Montreal and Sydney, the summer Olympics have been held in every corner of the world. Any Olympics lover can find a moment in sports history to revisit. From Beijing, with its eye-catching Water Cube, home to Michael Phelps’ awe-inspiring eight gold medal run, to Berlin, where Jesse Owen dominated as a sprinter to win the begrudging respect of the crowd in the heart of Nazi Germany in 1936, there are countless layers of history at any Olympic site.
Watch qualifying rounds
Pick a summer sport – any summer sport – and there will be one or more qualifying events for Olympic hopefuls. Teams are already trying to qualify for this summer’s Games. Female gymnasts, for instance, vaulted impressive showings at the 2011 World Championships in October, where the United States, Russia and China nabbed the top three spots of eight – and a guaranteed shot at the Olympic Gold. The next eight teams had to compete in the London Test Event in mid-January, where Italy, Canada, France and Brazil made the cut. Sometimes as exciting as the Olympics themselves, nail-biter prelims introduce nations to new athletes – and new gold medal hopefuls.
Surround yourself with adorable Olympic paraphernalia
London 2012’s creative team has obviously had a field day coming up with memorabilia and keepsakes that even those not attending the Games are bound to stock up on. The British flag’s red, white and blue colors are painted on toys big and small (the rubber duckies are our personal favorite!), and logos are plastered on sporting equipment and key rings alike. From lanyards to fine jewelry and stationery to soccer balls, the London 2012 logo is bound to appear in the hands of folks far beyond London.
Play virtual Olympics
The first official Olympic video game hit the shelves back in 1992 for the Barcelona Summer Olympic Games. Olympic Gold brought out the competitive edge in gamers around the globe, giving them a chance to compete virtually in archery, sprinting, swimming and pole vaulting. In the past decade, an official video game has been released with every Olympics, from Sydney 2000 to Beijing 2008. This year, check out Sega’s London 2012 or Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games – a controller in hand will put you right in the Games.
(Images: Logo, Ben Sutherland; London 2012)
