It feels like the countdown to London 2012 has been going on for far longer than seven years but it was still a little sad as we today reached the final tangible milestone on the road to the Olympic Opening Ceremony –  one month to go.

To mark the occasion, the city appeared ready to pull out all the stops as they decided to unveil a giant set of Olympic Rings at Tower Bridge – probably London's most famous landmark.

Part one of the job was already done as the rain stayed away.

But despite the fact that I had turned up early, I saw no sign of the iconic Rings at all.

We ticked closer to 10am and still nothing happened but in true London 2012 style, everything went off precisely as planned.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who was on the River Thames in a boat located just in front of Tower Bridge, pointed straight ahead and as if by magic, the giant Rings lowered themselves mechanically into position.

Applause followed from Johnson (pictured below, left) and the other senior dignitaries on the boat, including a smiling London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe (pictured below, right).


They were well-deserved as the three tonne Rings, measuring 25 metres wide and 11.5m tall, looked hugely impressive framed against Tower Bridge.

But despite the magnitude of the event, it proved just a prelude for my colleagues in the media and I as the one month to go milestone also marked the opening of the first London 2012 venue.

It was the Main Press Centre (MPC).

It took several security checkpoints to finally make it to the MPC but it was worth the wait. The giant structure, measuring 31,000 square metres, stood gleaming maroon with a distinctive "Welcome" or "Bienvenue" written across it in striking blue.


Around 6,000 of the world's top media will use the venue during the Games and upon its full completion, a 200m-long High Street featuring a range of shops will be in place.

The High Street is not yet fully operational but what is fully operational is the MPC itself – and the inside is truly stunning.

Pink and blue is the theme, as it is with the majority of the London 2012 'look and feel', while it is simply so big that it is not all that easy to navigate.

Upon my arrival, I was informed a press conference was taking place and I was swiftly led by some helpful Games Makers to a lift and up several levels to a giant press conference room that seats over 800. Upon our arrival, London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton, director of sport Debbie Jevans and Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson explained that spectators attending the Games will be treated to in-ear commentary, music, presenters for different sports and a few other surprises.


"Inspiring people to engage with sport has always been central to our vision," Jevans explained.

"There are 26 Olympic sports and many people will be seeing these for the first time so we will explain some of the intricacies in an innovative and informative way.

"We also want to ensure the way we present sport adds to the experience of the spectators in the venues and builds the atmosphere."

It was another announcement in keeping with the London 2012 plan to do things a little bit differently and in their opinion, a little better than before.

Deighton explained they remain on track to have everything "well ahead of schedule" and if the state-of-the-art facilities at the MPC are anything to go by, London 2012 could prove quite the exceptional Games so many have long predicted.

Tom Degun is a reporter for insidethegames. To follow him on Twitter click here.