Rogge was joined on the stage at the special one year to go ceremony by Prime Minister David Cameron, London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe and the Princess Royal as the medals for the Olympic Games next year were unveiled live on the BBC.

The IOC President took the opportunity to invite athletes from across the world to compete at London 2012 and claimed that the city will once again host a fantastic Olympic Games following the success of previous London Olympics in 1908 and 1948.

"One year to go is a special time for any host nation," said Rogge, who will step down as IOC President in 2013 meaning that the London 2012 Games will be his last in the position.

"It is the moment when the International Olympic Committee invites the National Olympic Committees and their athletes to attend the Games, when Olympic dreams start to come into focus and when the world turns its attention in earnest to the city that will welcome it in only 365 days' time.

"London has come a long way since its election in 2005 in Singapore and the 2012 team and its partners are to be congratulated for their work.

"London 2012 is now ideally placed not just to deliver a top level Olympic competition but also to leave a great legacy to the British people.

"I wish London well as it enters its final year of preparations and testing and I am confident that next summer this great city will once again do the Olympic Movement proud."


The Prime Minister added: "The London 2012 Games is a fantastic opportunity to showcase just what a fantastic country Britain is.

"The Games are on time and on budget, the majority of venues are built and testing is well underway.

"In all, it is a showcase of the best of British construction, creativity, teamwork and achievement.

"As we look ahead to July next year, I want to welcome the world to London and the UK.

"We are a vibrant and diverse country, rich with history and culture.

"One need look no further than the Olympic Park to see that."

The special ceremony at Trafalgar Square was combined with live action from the Aquatics Centre at the Olympic Park, which today became the fifth and final permanent venue to be officially completed.


The venue saw former world diving champion and London 2012 gold medal prospect Tom Daley (pictured) plunge off the 10 metre board to ripple the waters for the first time and he admitted it was an amazing experience.

"I can't wait for London 2012 and I had goose bumps being up on the board just thinking about it," said the 17-year-old from Plymouth.

"To think that it is now just a year away is unbelievable and I really cannot wait for it to begin."

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "With the London Games just a year away this ceremony marks the most important milestone to date on the journey to the London Games.

"We will be looking forward to next summer with great excitement.

"Our venues are nearly all complete and our preparations to ensure all our visitors can experience the Games wherever they are in the capital are well advanced.

"With a year to go we can safely say we are ready to welcome the world."


After unveiling the medals that bought proceedings at Trafalgar Square to a close, Coe added: "There is much to do in the next twelve months but we can take huge comfort in the progress that has been made so far.

"We are absolutely on track and determined to stage an Olympic and Paralympic Games which will deliver on the promises we made in Singapore, inspire the athletes and make the nation proud."

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