Golden 25 - 12 for London 2012 #3

(ATR) 12 for 2012: The most influential people involved with the London Games command third spot in the Around the Rings Golden 25 for 2012, the list of the most important personalities for the Olympics in the year ahead.

Sebastian Coe

The LOCOG chairman is in abullish mood as he rounds the final bend of preparations for the "greatest show on earth". He's under no illusions that this push for the line is the toughest of his storied career. The next 210 days until the Games open are about ironing out operational issues and the finer details. As the clock ticks down, Coe will also spend time traveling around the U.K. to spread the Olympic spirit. After spearheading the successful 2012 bid, meeting the expectations of a nation and the world, including the Olympic Family, will owe a great deal to his leadership.

Denis Oswald

For nearly seven years, the IOC Coordination Commission chief for London has steered a steady course for 2012 stakeholders, harnessing his experience in a similar role for Athens 2004. The Swiss sports leadernotes that the city's creaking public transport network and security remain concerns. Ensuring IOC members, athletes, officials and VIPs are not hampered by such issues is part of his remit.

Hugh Robertson

The man who succeeded Tessa Jowell as Olympics minister has carried on her excellent work. But his job is about to get harder. How he deals with likely cost overruns and pressure on the public purse during the final preparations as well as expected further criticism of security, transport and legacy issues will define his achievements.

Colin Moynihan

The outspoken chairman of the British Olympic Association has a legal battle with the World Anti-Doping Agency at the Court of Arbitration for Sport on his mind while trying to inspire confidence in the 550 athletes who will represent Team Great Britain at the Games. Achieving fourth place in the medal table remains an ambitious target.

Boris Johnson

London's mayor spends the weeks ahead balancing his maverick style of Olympics promotion with campaigning to keep his post. Hewill face a challenge frompredecessor Ken Livingstone in theMay mayoral election before he canconcentrate on the final preparations to bring a party atmosphere to the British capital during the Olympics and Paralympics.

Roger Mosey

The BBC's director of London 2012, overseeing all the Olympic coverage of the U.K. rightsholding broadcaster , is responsible for bringing the story of the London Games to audiences at home. It's the biggest BBC project since Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1952. His reputation rests on the BBC's smooth delivery of all the dramatic sporting highs and lows and Games controversies across all media platforms.

Paul Deighton

The LOCOG chief executive's double act with chairman Coe in preparations for the Games - and in deflecting criticism - has worked well. Now the heat is on. Deighton must navigate his way through a mountain of operational issues in the coming months - delivery of the volunteer workforce among them - to ensure the stage is set for a spectacular Games.

Craig Reedie

Since joining the IOC Executive Board in 2009, the amiable Scotsman has been an important link between LOCOG's top brass and president Jacques Rogge, while doing everything he can to bolster London 2012's profile at international meetings. Having played a significant role on the bid team, the LOCOG Board member will take great pleasure in the accomplishment of a successful Games.

Scotland Yard Chief

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe has a big job on his hands to secure the Olympics while ensuring Britain's largest peacetime security operation is not intrusive for visitors to the Games.

Jackie Brock Doyle

LOCOG's comms chief has a prominent role to play in ensuring positive global PR in the tricky run-in and during the Games when there will doubtless be unexpected issues that threaten to impact how the Olympics are perceived.

Clive Woodward

Woodward gets his first taste of Olympic action this year as chef de mission for Team GB at the winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck. The British Olympic Association's director of sport will then devote all his energies to preparing athletes to challenge for medals at London 2012. He is deputy chef de mission for Team GB.

Usain Bolt

The Jamaican, star of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, could provide the iconic sporting moment again in the 100m on Aug. 5. Keen to shake off the ignominy of his false start at the Daegu world champs, Bolt faces competition from countrymen Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell for the sprint title.

Last year's ranking: Coe (2); Robertson (2); Oswald (10); Moynihan (17); Reedie (17)

Click here for more about ATR's Golden 25 and here to view the Golden 25 for past years.

Written byMark Bisson.

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.

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