With the Olympic flag now safely in the hands of Boris Johnson on behalf of London and the return of Britain’s medal heroes, the whole of the UK will be looking towards 2012 with considerable expectation. The success of team GB has set a sporting precedent that is expected to be surpassed in 2012. Likewise the success of the Beijing Games has got some people questioning how London can deliver such a spectacle in 2012.

While London may struggle to compete with the scale and grandeur of Beijing, our Games promise to be more compact and integrated. By 2012 we will see some of the most advanced technologies in the world underpinning the delivery of a green, secure and interconnected Olympics.

The aspiration is to deliver the first ‘Olympics 3.0’ with spectators being able to enjoy multiple viewpoints, real time Games updates and live travel information delivered through mobile devices. Each audience member will be able to access information previously available only to the sports commentator in the booth.

The use of 4G mobile devices, contactless access platforms and smart cards will revolutionise the experience of spectators and athletes alike. Using these devices attendees will be able to interact with the Games in a number of ways including; finding their way through the London traffic, receiving security alerts, buying tickets, web blogging on the Games live, networking with friends across the Olympic village and accessing local wireless networks for close-ups and replays of Olympic events streamed to their mobile devices.

Opulence may have won gold at Beijing, but London promises make innovative use of technology the gold standard for 2012. I, myself, can’t wait.

By Carrie Hartnell, Transformational Business Programme Manager