What to do in London: watch sporting events in the 1,000 day run-up to the Olympics
Last Updated: Fri 30 Oct 2009

Sports fans that are planning on visiting England's capital to see London attractions might be interested to hear that the UK is aiming to host a world class sporting event on average every two weeks in the final 1,000 days before the start of the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012.

Today (Friday 30th) sees the first of the 64 events announced by UK Sport which will take place in 20 towns and cities across the country, including London.

The UCI Track Cycling World Cup is taking place today in Manchester and the English Open Table Tennis Championships are currently taking place in Sheffield.

Over 17,000 international competitors are expected to take part in the events, providing the British public and tourists, who could be in the country to do some London sightseeing, with an opportunity to catch a glimpse of current and potential Olympic and Paralympic champions in action.

UK Sport chief executive officer John Steele said: "We believe this is the most comprehensive programme of major events leading into a Games that any host country has ever put together."

The National Portrait Gallery/BT's major new photographic commission, Road to 2012, launched today. The project will create a photographic record of the people across the UK that are making the Games happen.

Experience the best tourist attractions in London for free with a London Pass.

Posted by Samantha Reed.