Handbook of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

The Handbook of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is an officially-licensed account of the world’s greatest sporting and cultural event. It tells the complete story of the 2012 Games from inception, through the successful bidding process and the planning and preparation phase, to delivery, the post-Games period and legacy. Written by a world-class team of international sport scholars, researchers and writers, the book offers comprehensive analysis of the full social, cultural, political, historical, economic and sporting context of the Games. From the political, commercial and structural complexities of organising an event on such a scale, to the sporting action that holds the attention of the world, this book illuminates every aspect of the 2012 Games, helping us to better understand the vital role that sport and culture play in contemporary global society. _x005F_x000D_ The book is divided into two volumes. Volume One: Making the Games, examines the build-up to London 2012, covering key topics such as:_x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ the bidding process _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ planning and decision making _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ financing the Games _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ developing the infrastructure _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ engaging national and international governing bodies of sport _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ engaging the UK public _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ engaging a global public _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ developing a legacy programme _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ the Cultural Olympiad._x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ Richly illustrated with the personal accounts of key stakeholders, from sports administrators and politicians to athletes and spectators, and including essential data and evocative visual material, this book is essential reading for anybody with a personal or professional interest in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, global culture or the development of sport.