British Embassy joins Olympic countdown

MANILA, Philippines - The British Embassy in Manila yesterday marked the 100-day countdown for the London 2012 Olympic Games set July 27.

UK embassies and British High Commissions are also marking this symbolic milestone across the globe.

Britain is ready and prepared to welcome the world to what promises to be a greatest show on earth. The Olympic Park will be glittering at the center of the events and celebrations demonstrating great British engineering, design, creativity and ingenuity.

The British Embassy in Manila marked 100 days-to-go with a 100m race at the Manila Polo Club joined by key representatives from government, business, civil society, media and the local sporting community.

This was followed by an open air screening of the specially commissioned 100 Days to Go film, Game Changer and speeches by British Ambassador Stephen Lillie and Philippine Olympic Committee vice president Manuel Lopez.

A photo exhibit showcased what Britain has to offer in 2012.  

Lillie said British and Philippine athletes will join teams from 203 other countries as they march beneath their national flags. 

The Olympic Torch will ignite the Olympic Flame and the Games of the 30th Olympiad will officially begin.

“The UK and London in particular has been on a marathon journey since winning the 2012 bid seven years ago in Singapore. We are now on the very last lap, and the finishing line is clearly in sight. London 2012 will showcase great sport, great culture, great business and deliver a great legacy for Britain,” Lillie said. 

The ambassador said all of the venues have been “completed on time and on budget.”  

“London 2012 is an investment in our country that is already bringing significant economic benefits that would otherwise not have been possible,” he said.