Olympic rings in place
Giant Olympic rings become the crowning glory on Tower Bridge, marking the countdown to the 2012 Games.
Last Updated: 27/06/12 12:17pm
Giant Olympic rings became the crowning glory on Tower Bridge on Wednesday to mark the countdown to the London 2012 Games.
Lord Coe, London 2012 chairman, and mayor Boris Johnson were among the VIPs who watched as the rings - 25 metres wide and 11.5 metres tall - were lowered into place on the central London landmark on the River Thames.
The rings, weighing three tonnes, cost £259,817 to produce and installing them is estimated to have cost £53,000.
All costs have been met from the £32 million Look and Celebration budget, which will be used to back free cultural events across London.
Inspiration
The two-time Olympic 1500m champion Lord Coe, said: "The Olympic rings are an iconic symbol, inspiring athletes and uniting people around the world. To athletes they represent the culmination of thousands of hours of training and reaching the highest level in sport.
"With one month to go to the Olympic Games opening ceremony, these spectacular rings on one of London's most famous landmarks will excite and inspire residents and visitors in the capital."
A light show, complete with beams of changing colours and intensity, will bring the rings to life on Wednesday night.
It will put into action Tower Bridge's new lighting system, involving 1,800 special energy-efficient LED lights, 2,000 metres of energy-efficient LED linear lights, 5,000 metres of cable as well as 1,000 junction boxes.
Dazzling
Describing the sight as "glorious Tower Bridge", Mr Johnson added that the landmark was the perfect choice to showcase what London has to offer this summer.
"With just a month to go, we are making our final preparations and want to ensure each and every person in the capital gets a flavour of the celebrations and feels part of the Games," he said.
Each of London's famous bridges, from Hungerford Bridge to London Bridge, will be lit in "a dazzling display of colour" during the evenings, according to the mayor's office.
Giant mobile Olympic rings will travel up and down past famous waterfront landmarks.
For the Paralympic Games, the Agitos, the giant swirling symbol of the Paralympic movement, will replace the rings on Tower Bridge.
The city-wide Look and Celebration programme for the Games includes free events, shows, cultural pieces and entertainment, designed to show the world the best London has to offer.
