The guest of honour at the event due to be broadcast next Wednesday (July 27) between 7pm and 7.30pm will be International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge, who will join London Mayor Boris Johnson, in officially inviting the world to compete at the Games.

The design of the medals will be the most eagerly awaited event of the evening, which will also be attended by London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe and Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

They will be made from metal from Utah Copper mine in Salt Lake City and the Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia and be cast in the UK by Royal Mint.

"The one year to go mark is London's invitation to the world to come to the Games in the summer of 2012," said Coe.

"It is a chance to look forward to the next 12 months, a crucial time for the athletes who want to take part, for us as the organisers as we test our venues and build excitement through moments such as the Torch Relay and of course sports fans all over the world, who will be looking forward to a world class festival of sport next summer.

"The countdown to London 2012 is on, we share the nation's excitement - and we won't let you down."

Also, in a unique moment, televised live as part of the ceremony and beamed into living rooms and onto screens in Trafalgar Square, world diving champion Tom Daley will make the first dive into the pool at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park.

"With the London Games just a year away this ceremony marks the most important milestone to date on the journey to the London Games," said Johnson.

"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."

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