London Latest- Live Sites Feedback, Basketball Venue Progress, Jowell Visits Brazil

London Mayor Pledges City-Wide Olympic Celebration

London Mayor Boris Johnson promises to ensure that all 33 city boroughs will be part of celebrations during the Games, even though the 'live sites' he unveiled on Monday are concentrated in the center.

Johnson's plans for the four ticketed live sites unveiled to the Olympic Board were broadly welcomed by the British media. But there was criticism in some quarters over how these sites would better those set up for the Vancouver Olympics. Concerns were voiced over the relatively small capacity of the live sites for London's 7.5 million population and lack of sites on the outskirts.

Responding to the criticism, the mayor's office says that no concrete plans have been laid down and Johnson's "vision" would be refined through consultation with the IOC, London 2012 organizers and local councils.

His aides emphasize that every London borough will be involved in staging events, not only the four central London live sites that will feature concert stages and big screens. These are Hyde Park, Victoria Park, Jubilee Gardens on the Southbank and Potters Field beside City Hall. Trafalgar Square will form part of a much wider central area of celebration.

"There will be a party atmosphere in the center of town," Johnson said in a BBC interview.

"The question for us is how to cope with the volume of people without causing excessive disruption to Londoners and their businesses."

Around $48 million is expected to be spent on the "look and feel" of London 2012 away from the Olympic Park, which is located in the east of the city. Organizers hope to find sponsors to fund the live sites.

Work is underway to ensure that the capital’s many cultural landmarks and attractions are blended into events and celebrations to provide a unique London experience for all Games clients and visitors. The goal is to match the outstanding experience that will be offered inside venues with an equally outstanding experience across the rest of London.

"We’re under no illusion about the mammoth tasks ahead in planning and preparing for the world to come and experience our capital," Johnson said in a statement.

London authorities will deploy 7,000 volunteers to provide information and assistance at key points in the city. LOCOG is recruiting 70,000 of its own volunteers to be the face of the Games.

Basketball Arena Rises

The London 2012 basketball arena is coming out of the ground on the Olympic Park with the first of 20 ten-story high steel arches already lifted into place.

Once the 1000-ton steel frame of the temporary 12,000-seat arena is complete, it will be wrapped in 20,000 sq meters of fabric which will form a canvas for innovative lighting changes during the Games.

Work on temporary seating and accommodation around the venue will start this summer, with the arena scheduled to be finished by summer 2011 ready for test events.

LOCOG chairman Sebastian Coe said: "This is another example of a superb sporting structure taking shape on the Olympic Park. It also demonstrates the involvement of a number of companies across the UK and the benefits of hosting the Games."

The construction contractor will own the arena structure, with the ODA renting it for the duration of the Games. Post-Games, it will be dismantled and reused elsewhere.

25th Hour Campaign Launch

Thousands of people are to get an exclusivepreview of the 2012 Opening Ceremony under a scheme launched by Olympics minister Tessa Jowell that rewards those giving time in their communities where they live and work.

Designed to create a lasting legacy, the 25th Hour campaign, which has received the London 2012 Inspire Mark, was launched at the Olympic Park in East London by Jowell and LOCOG chair Sebastian Coe on Tuesday.

Based on the idea that people can all find the extra hour and more to make a difference, the initiative will reward the outstanding contributions of "exceptional time givers", including the offer of 2,012 pairs of tickets to a see the dress rehearsal of the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony.

Announcing the scheme, Jowell said: "Millions of people want to be involved in the Olympics when it comes. It's not just for people who like sport either. Whether you love culture, education or the environment, this is a movement everyone can be a part of."

Coe said: "Our vision is to use the power of the Games to inspire lasting change. They offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something extraordinary, to inspire everyone to use their passion to help others."

25th Hour supporterswill be able to pledge their time via the campaign's website - www.the25thhour.org

Jowell Visits Rio

British Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell visited Brazil last week to sign a Host2Host trade agreement between the United Kingdom and Brazil. The agreement strengthens business ties between the future Olympic host nations.

"This trade agreement will give British businesses the opportunity to tap into one of the fastest growing economies in the world," Jowell said. "With Brazil expected to spend up to £30billion ($45.3 billion) on the World Cup and Olympics this is a crucial and valuable agreement for Britain’s economy, helping British businesses capitalize on the significant experience that UK firms have in planning and delivering large infrastructure projects and major sporting events like the London Olympics."

The purpose of the agreement is to expand the reach of UK business and to attract outside investors to the UK. UK has Host2Host agreements with Canada, host of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games; Singapore, host of 2010 Youth Olympic Games; South Africa, site of the 2010 World Cup and Russia, host of the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.

UK Trade and Investment oversees the agreement. The government organization is coordinating with Brazilin entities. In May, airport officials from the UK will visit Sao Paulo and Rio. This summer Brazilian officials will travel to the UK to examine infrastructure projects.

Media Watch

The London 2012 logo is facing more criticism despite years after its 2007 debut. Design critic Alice Rawsthorn writes that the logo still needs improvement in the Sunday edition of the New York Times. Rawsthorn says that organizers wasted an opportunity to improve the logo. For full article, click here.

Simon Jenkins of the Evening Standard says he's not sure about all the digging taking place around London for the Olympics. For full article click here.

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With reporting from Mark Bisson and Sam Steinberg.