Events

THE London 2012 Olympic medals were unveiled to the world last night by the Princess Royal and London 2012 Chairman Seb Coe in the presence of IOC President Jacques Rogge and Coordination Commission Chairman Denis Oswald at a special ceremony in Trafalgar Square, London.

The Olympic medals will be made in Britain and have been designed by British artist David Watkins who was chosen by a panel made up of experienced creative leaders in their field and sports representatives.

The Olympic medals’ circular form is a metaphor for the world.

The front of the medal always depicts the same imagery at the Summer Games – the Greek Goddess of Victory, Nike, stepping out of the depiction of the Parthenon to arrive in the Host City.

The sport and discipline of the medal-winning athletes will be engraved on the rim of every medal.

Special day

WEYMOUTH quantity surveyor Jason Hickson rubbed shoulders with 2012 chairman Lord Coe at St Pancras International yesterday as part of London’s one-year to go Olympic celebrations.

Mr Hickson, 41, who works for Midas Retail and is currently in Weymouth working full-time on a construction job, joined Olympic athletes from across Europe at a star-studded day after winning an exclusive invite to London 2012 provider Eurostar’s Olympic celebrations.

Twenty Eurostar winners were chosen to have a cast of their feet made at St Pancras International, representing the first steps of a Games spectator on the way to London 2012, before being whisked off to the Olympic Park. As the Official International Rail Services Provider to London 2012, Eurostar will bring hundreds of thousands of sports fans from the continent to London to soak up the atmosphere. Find out more at www.eurostar.com/london2012

Business

WITH less than one year to go before the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, businesses across London and beyond are preparing to ensure they keep on running during the Games. Do you need help developing an action plan for your business at Games time?

The London 2012 Travel Advice for Business team has produced an interactive tool which helps you establish the most suitable actions for your business.

The interactive tool is online at www.london2012.com/get-involved/ business-network/

Volunteers

COULD you be the smiling welcome in 2012?

Dorset’s official local volunteering scheme, the Weymouth and Portland Ambassador Programme is recruiting up to 800 volunteers to assist visitors, provide local information and represent the area between July 26 until September 9, 2012.

To take part you’ll need to have a love of Weymouth and Portland, a passion for the Olympic and Paralympic values, commitment and enthusiasm.

The WPA programme will be tested during Weymouth Carnival and Airshow, next month on Wednesday, August 17, with a training session on Tuesday, August 16, 2011.

Find out more at dorsetforyou.com/ dorset2012/wpa

Photo contest

BUDDING snappers are urged to enter their best pictures into a photography competition that aims to capture the ‘best of Britain’s nautical summer’.

A £500 prize is up for grabs in the regatta photography competition run by outdoor clothing company Musto, which is open throughout the summer.

Top prize will be £500 of Musto kit, with four runners-up winning £250 to spend each, plus Photo of the Day will see their image displayed in Musto stores during the Cowes, Salcombe, Falmouth and Dartmouth regattas.

Simply email your pictures to photos@musto.com with your name and email address.