London beat favourite Paris by four votes to host a third Olympics
Paris was the clear favourite, on its third recent attempt, when the IOC voted in Singapore in July 2005. London had been trailing badly until Sebastian Coe took charge of its bid. After four rounds, the British capital squeaked through 54 votes to 50, becoming the first city to stage the modern Games three times.
Nine cities had originally entered the race, including Havana, Istanbul, Leipzig and Rio de Janeiro, before a technical review in May 2004 cut the field to five. Paris then had an awkward inspection visit, coinciding with strikes and a report that a senior bid figure faced corruption charges. Moscow went out first in the final ballot, then New York and Madrid. Paris would get its turn much later, winning the 2024 Games.
London had hosted before in 1908 and 1948. This time the centrepiece was a 200-hectare Olympic Park built on former industrial land in Stratford, East London, which required compulsory purchase of businesses that fought eviction. Some venues were temporary and set in famous spots such as Hyde Park and Horse Guards Parade, while sailing moved some 125 miles to Weymouth and Portland. A cable car across the Thames, costing 25 million pounds, opened in June 2012 to link venues, and drivers straying into reserved Olympic lanes risked a 130 pound fine.
Between 27 July and 12 August 2012, some 10,518 athletes from 206 teams competed. The United States led the table with 48 golds and 105 medals overall, China followed with 91, and hosts Great Britain took 65. Michael Phelps collected his 22nd Olympic medal, becoming the most decorated Olympian in history at that point.
The Games were a milestone for women. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei sent female athletes for the first time, so every eligible nation had now fielded a woman at some Olympics, and the debut of women's boxing meant every sport included female competitors. Danny Boyle's opening ceremony won wide praise, as did the volunteers. It was the last Olympics under IOC president Jacques Rogge.
Source: 2012 Summer Olympics
