Chairman’s Message

It is no understatement to say that the world is eagerly awaiting the 27th July when London opens the 2012 Olympic Games. It’s an occasion when nations come together with heart and soul, to display the talents they have been grooming over the past four years.
The Olympic Opening Ceremony parade will feature 10,000 athletes from 205 nations. CSS wishes all the participants, the host nation and nations taking part, good fortune for a memorably enjoyable triumphant event. The news that former “Beatles” member, Sir Paul McCartney, will take part in the closing ceremony caused my mind to drift away onto the parallel business prospects the Olympics brings opportunities should always be grasped and the potential from the commercial aspects behind this world event are, in many ways, unimaginable. London’s economy is projected to grow by $80 billion by 2015 and carry along its wake many more prospects for the country. But this does not happen, “as if by magic”. It needs objective focused planning. The scenario with shipping and logistics is similar. Just like the Olympics, the numbers involved in the amount of cargo movement, in and out of a country, are huge and many of our friends will gain from this. But it needs strategic planning and a wide overall vision to convert the possibilities, from such occasions, into profitable returns.
Discussions at recently held business events, where we shared experiences and ideas about shipping and logistics, are gatherings which enable everyone to hone their skills. This is so important in helping to develop progressive strategies. We need to act on them and accept new challenges in true Olympic spirit: “Citius, Altius, Fortius” – “Swifter, Higher, Stronger”. With such a long lasting motto, driving us, we may all look forward to a great business season ahead of us.
I hope you will enjoy reading this edition of “Lighthouse”.

CSS Group Attends GPLN Global Annual Meeting

Global Project Logistics Network (GPLN) conducted its 9th Annual General Meeting at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center, Singapore, on May 9- 11, 2012.

CSS Group was pleased to be the exclusive sponsor for the GPLN Annual Meeting Cocktail reception that was held onboard the Ming Dynasty imperial vessel on May 9th 2012. The “Cheng Ho” allowed participants to soak in attractive sights of little vessels anchored in Marina South Pier bay, The Singapore Flyer, Sentosa Cove, Tanjong Pagar Container Port – the busiest in the world by shipping tonnage and the coastline of Singapore’s pleasure isle, Sentosa.

TS Kaladharan, Chairman, Raj George, Senior Vice President Ocean Freight,  Narayan RT, General Manager CSS Bahrain, Amith Horra, Marketing Manager, Chandrakala, Asst. Manager NVOCC and Amal Hareendran, Coordinator, Projects, Oil & Energy department attended the GPLN Annual Meeting Cocktail reception representing CSS Group.

Raj George, Senior Vice President Ocean Freight, CSS Group and Narayan RT, General Manager CSS Bahrain represented CSS Group during the 2 day GPLN Annual Meeting whereby they were able to network with various members discussing various trends and market forecasts within the industry.  “It was an excellent opportunity to meet a multitude of partner companies to discuss past, current and future business, exchange sales leads, and develop a range of business possibilities within the GPLN Network,” added Raj George.

About GPLN Annual Meeting:

GPLN brings together project cargo experts and independent project logistics specialist companies from around the world, all of whom have an expert focus on project logistics. This global meeting will allow members the face-to-face contact with other GPLN partners whereby they will be able to efficiently build professional relationships in the most lasting and cost effective manner.

CSS Group Partners with HOLSHIP

CSS Group is pleased to announce they have recently partnered up with the HOLSHIP Group & Global transport provider in Scandinavia to better service the Scandinavian market for the various customers here in the Middle East and Sub continent market.  “We are excited for this new partnership with HOLSHIP and we look forward to continually build upon our business relationships globally.  This new alliance will further expand our global coverage so that we are better positioned to service our clients irrespective of cargo origin or destination,” added CSS Group Chairman, TS Kaladharan.

HOLSHIP is based in the Scandinavian countries and work with a worldwide network of professional agents and CSS is delighted that they have selected the CSS Group to partner with due to similar DNA in the way both companies currently operate.

HOLSHIP, like CSS offers various modes of transport such as road, sea and air freight services to and from all the world’s destinations. They also offer warehousing, quality control, labelling, handling of customs formalities, certificate applications, bonded warehousing and distribution as part of total logistic solutions. At HOLSHIP they have a group of experts controlling and minimizing logistics expenses and maximizing efficiency when it comes to import and export to and from the Nordic Region. They focus on delivery quality and a personal contact between customers and their network partner offices.

“It is with great pleasure to announce the cooperation with our new partner in the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent, CSS Group. We are looking forward to the cooperation and to build the partnership to new heights,” said Michael Ranners, Director Business Development, HOLSHIP. CSS, VP Business Development Ken Dinnadge added, “We are all delighted at CSS in this region about the new alliance and look forward to growing our business together with HOLSHIP.”

HISTORY

HOLSHIP was founded in 1967 under the name Holbæk Shipping & Spedition. The main focus was stevedoring and road freight. Seven years later Kent Ranners began his shipping agent career in the company. In 1985 Kent Ranners took over the company and paved the way for an international approach to the market situation. Soon the name HOLSHIP was announced. ‘Global transport – local service’ is the motto for the re-named company. In 1994 a new era began with offices in the UK, Norway, Sweden and Finland and with the development of complementary services like warehousing and other third-party logistics solutions.

ABOUT HOLSHIP

1967    Holbæk Shipping & Spedition was established.
Stevedoring and truck service was the main part of the business.
1976    Kent Ranners started in Holbæk Shipping & Spedition.
1985    Kent Ranners took over Holbæk Shipping & Spedition.
1990    An international name is essential now, while trading with the US and the Far East is growing rapidly.  Therefore Holbæk Shipping & Spedition changes the name to HOLSHIP.
1994    HOLSHIP UK was established in order to provide truck service between Denmark and England.
1996    HOLSHIP Norge was established.
1999    HOLSHIP Sverige was established.
2000    C.R. HOLSHIP was established in Køge as a result of the fusion of CR     Shipping and HOLSHIP.
2001    HOLSHIP Finland was established and situated in Helsinki Airport.
2005     The HOLSHIP Group focused on the Scandinavian market and closed down HOLSHIP UK.

FPS Group AGM 2012

FPS Group Annual General Meeting would be held at the NH Marina hotel, Genoa, Italy from the 23rd to 26th October 2012. The group member’s executive summit will be held on the 23rd and the annual general meeting would be held on the 24th. This will be followed by one-to-one meetings on the following days of 24th and 25th. The entire programme will be garnished by cocktail receptions and gala dinners. The AGM would be an excellent opportunity for all the group members to share and discuss the business growth and strategize for the next year. The annual general meeting is an important occasion in the FPS calendar, which provides the unique chance for its members to participate in business discussions, hear presentations and talks on specific topics by experts and express your views. CSS Group looks forward to attend the FPS AGM  in the most scenic Italian ambiences and to participate with other members.

For Information and Bookings: Cindy Ko Tel: 852 2599 0508 or Email : group-adm@fps.com.hk

CSS Homeward Bound For IELA

(INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION LOGISTICS ASSOCIATES)

CSS Homeward Bound will be attending its first IELA (International Exhibition Logistics Associates) Congress and Partnering Event to be held from June 27-29, 2012 in Barcelona at the world-renowned Hotel Arts, Port Olimpic.

Massimilano Spina, VP Freight Forwarding CSS will be representing CSS Homeward Bound during this time. “This is an excellent platform to meet with industry leaders and find ways to grow our business mutually and with over 211 registered decision makers representing 156 companies from 47 countries. The IELA congress will be an excellent platform for CSS Homeward Bound to meet the criteria of becoming IELA affiliated”, added Massimilano.

The International Exhibition Logistics Associates (IELA) is a worldwide trade association dedicated in enhancing the professionalism of the transportation logistics and freight handling segments of the exhibition industry.

IELA, a union of internationally experienced professional exhibition freight forwarders enables you to concentrate on the construction and presentation of your exhibits. In addition they will also look after everything else: customs clearance, vehicle loading and unloading, forklifts, cranes, manpower, packing, translations, storage, on-site office facilities, etc.

The 2-day congress allows members and non-members an opportunity to network and explore mutual business opportunities in a formal networking gathering along with social functions such as cocktail receptions and an industry gold day.

IELA members provide their clients, organizers and exhibitors alike with a first class service and immediate access to specialist event logistics solutions at major and minor exhibition and event venues anywhere in the world.

IELA members are experts in:

  • Customs Clearance
  • Documentation Assistance
  • Freight Forwarding
  • Lifting & Cranage
  • Logistics Planning & Implementation
  • Manpower Provision
  • Packaging & Crating
  • Site Supervision
  • Temporary Importations
  • Vehicle Loading & Unloading

New Face For CSS Homeward Bound Website

CSS Homeward Bound is pleased to announce the launch of our new and improved website. Designed with a fresh innovative appearance the website has a plethora of features to assist our users in product/service selections in a user-friendly format along with information about our latest products and services.  The new website is designed to allow users to quickly find the content they are looking for.
From a marketing perspective the new website enables CSS Homeward Bound to lead the way in how we communicate with our customers, through regular updates and innovative technology that we are embracing including Facebook and Twitter.
With a growing focus on digital and social media, CSS Homeward Bound has also set up Facebook and Twitter accounts, as a form of communicating with our clientele.

CSS Group Attends Powerlogistics Asia 2012 Conference And Exhibition

The very first PowerLogistics Asia 2012 Conference & Exhibition took place in Singapore at the luxurious five star Marina Bay Sands Singapore Expo & Conference Center on May 7th – 8th, 2012.

The first PowerLogistics Asia 2012 brings together the providers of project logistics services and products with the consumers of said services. This noteworthy event grew out of the vacuum of Singapore being a major international hub for project logistics, with no conference or exhibition that specifically addresses this market directly. PowerLogistics Asia 2012 was designed to fill this need.

Companies taking part in the conference and exhibition ranged from project forwarders, vessel owners, charterers, and other service providers to the project logistics industry as well as consumers of the project services.

PowerLogistics Asia creates the ideal marketing platform for project logistics professional to find out what is going on in their industry, to promote their products and services to a dedicated target audience of a solid number of senior executive project logistics conference delegates from Asia and around the world.

The concurrent two days conference featured nearly twenty world-class senior executive level speaker (topics) highlighting the latest issues effecting the development of project logistics throughout the Asia Pacific region as well as latest developments in chartering, shipping and lifting and handling for the oil and gas, energy, heavy engineering and mining industries.

Representing CSS Group during this conference & exhibition was Amith Horra, Marketing Manager, Chandrakala, Asst. Manager NVOCC and Amal Hareendran, Coordinator, Projects, Oil & Energy department.  “During the two day conference & exhibition there was ample opportunity to network with all participants to discuss various trends and market related topics globally which at the end of the day is one of the most important aspects of this event,” added Chandrakala.

“This two day exhibition of the region’s best known international project logistics companies and sponsors provides the ideal marketing platform to promote CSS’ products and services to a dedicated target audience of 250 senior executive project logistics conference delegates from Asia and around the world,” added Amith Horra.

Projects @ A Glance

IRAQ

CSS Projects, Oil & Energy division of Consolidated Shipping Services successfully handled the export of 6 fire fighting vehicles & 4 water tankers with pumps. The shipment was transferred from the shippers yard on low beds and moved to Jebel Ali Port and loaded RORO onto the vessel to Umm Qasr. The shipment was roughly 745 CBM and was successfully handled by the projects team at the prime location. The shipment was executed as per schedule while ensuring maximum client satisfaction.

Yacht Movement

Consolidated Shipping Services and Peters & May imported and executed the discharge of Princess P64 Yacht. The shipment was collected in Poole, loaded in Southampton, and discharged in Jebel Ali for transit on its own keel to Doha. The shipment was about 836 CBM and was carried in vessel CMA CGM. The dedicated teams of Yacht and Marine Logistic specialists were onsite overseeing the logistics operation of the offloading activity in the early hours of the day.
CSS and Peters & May were also involved in the export of a 2002 Sunseeker Manhattan 78 approximately 1064 CBM was loaded into Leda Maersk container ship sailing from Jebel Ali to Genoa. The yacht was loaded onto the vessel with the help of specialist divers and special lifting crew from DP World supervised by the CSS team at the prime location.

CSS at Breakbulk Europe 2012

UBM Global Trade’s 7th Annual Breakbulk Europe Transportation Conference and Exhibition took place from May 22nd -24th at the Antwerp Expo in Belgium and addressed anticipated industry growth from emerging markets. The program featured two days of panel and keynote discussions as well as workshops and networking events within the heavy-lift and BreakBulk transportation sector.

During the Breakbulk Europe exhibition, visitors and participants from all over the world learnt about the current business challenges & opportunities facing shippers within the traditional Breakbulk, heavy-lift and project cargo markets. Various visitors to the show came from industries such as, financial, logistics, project, transportation, operations and distribution management from Shippers, EPCs, BCOs, manufacturers, freight forwarders, transportation providers, ports and terminals, technology & equipment providers, and government agencies.

Over the 2 days of Breakbulk Europe, many topics were discussed with conference delegates pertaining to various topics such as, Combating the Scourge of Piracy, The Changing Emphasis on European Short Sea Shipping, Ports, Roads & Rail Development in India, New Future for Energy Generation and many more.

Janet Plume, content director of Breakbulk Magazine & Events, and Walter van Mechelen, chairman of Alfaport Antwerpen, provided opening remarks, followed by a keynote address on trends and forecast for the power generation market by Sandro Lepori, director of logistics, Alsom Ltd.

A panel of industry experts provided a general session on the future of the multipurpose vessel fleet, followed by a panel on compliance. The day’s conference agenda closed with a panel on project forwarding.

In addition to the program, attendees toured the record 200 booths at the Exhibition Hall, along with networking at coffee breaks and a network luncheon.

Throughout the day, Allpack, Cordstrap and Maersk provided flat rack cargo safety demonstrations.

CSS Group was well represented during the Breakbulk Exhibition, showcasing a strong presence led by a delegation from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and India.

From CSS Dubai, Raj George, Senior Vice President-Ocean Freight, Siby Kurian, General Manager Sales & Marketing and Amith Horra, Marketing Manager were in attendance.

From CSS Bahrain, Narayan Tagore, General Manager and from CSS India, Prabhakar Maniyan, Vice President-Projects represented their respective regions during the exhibition.

“Visitors were given a great opportunity to meet the professionals and avail the facilities provided by the exhibitors during the exhibition. CSS Group took advantage of this opportunity to exhibit our products and services by having a direct face-to-face contact with the visitors”, added Raj George, Senior Vice President-Ocean Freight, CSS.

Breakbulk Europe 2012, which concluded May 24 at the Antwerp Expo in Antwerp, blasted previous conference records with more than 5,000 attendees and 200 booths at the Exhibition Hall.

More people meant far more opportunities to network at coffee breaks, a network luncheon, and with exhibitors and colleagues.

The conference’s second day kicked off with opening remarks and in the final day’s sessions, covering conference panels expertly covered analysis of the Baltic and EPC-shipper logistics management trends.  “In May, we held the largest Breakbulk conference and exhibition to date, with close to 5,000 attendees in Antwerp, Belgium,” said Alli McEntyre, Breakbulk vice president and publisher.

Carotrans Opens Office In Seattle

NVO NOW OFFERS EXPEDITED IMPORT & EXPORT SERVICES TO AND FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Clark, New Jersey, May 9, 2012 – CaroTrans, a leading global NVOCC (non vessel operating common carrier) and ocean freight consolidator, today announced the opening of a new CaroTrans office in Seattle, Washington.  This office will provide enhanced, expedited import and export ocean transportation services – LCL (less than container load), FCL (full container load) and breakbulk – in this active trade region.

CaroTrans’ Seattle office is the company’s fourteenth office in the U.S.  In 2011, CaroTrans added a Dallas office, as well as a new global office in Santiago, Chile.  They anticipate further expansion in 2012 with new office openings in the U.S. Midwest, and in global locations.

“We are committed to open offices where our customers are located to better serve their needs,” said Greg Howard, Global CEO, CaroTrans.  “Our decentralized approach empowers our local teams which enables them to provide the highest level of customer service and support.”

Brian Allcorn, Seattle Branch Manager, CaroTrans, remarked, “We are excited about the opportunity to serve local freight forwarders in the Pacific Northwest, an important international trade area.  We believe we are positioned well, in the U.S. and globally, to provide the service and support freight forwarders require to meet their customers’ global shipping needs.”

The CaroTrans Seattle office is located at: 20415 72nd Ave. South, Suite 470, Kent, WA  98032  Phone:  253-277-1898, E-mail:  briana@carotrans.com   

ABOUT CAROTRANS

Established in 1979, Carotrans International is one of the world’s leading NVOCCs providing global LCL, less than container load, and FCL, full container load services.

Through our network of offices in Asia, South America, Oceania, and the United States, along with our strong local partners, we offer a global reach that is truly unique.

Carotrans is a people driven company with dedicated, experienced and knowledgeable team members who engage customers with passion and experience on a local level.

For additional information, visit www.carotrans.com

Contact:
CaroTrans, Greg Howard, 732.540.8121, 908.206.1067
gregh@carotrans.com
CKL Communications, Carol Lerner, 973.635.6923,
ckl.communications@gmail.com

Carotrans Expands Global Network With Launch Of New Office In Europe

LE HAVRE, FRANCE BRANCH ESTABLISHES PLATFORM FOR FUTURE GROWTH AND DIRECT GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

Clark, New Jersey, June 18, 2012 – CaroTrans, a leading global NVOCC (non vessel operating common carrier) and ocean freight consolidator, today announced the opening of a new CaroTrans branch in Le Havre, France.  This new hub office in Europe creates the foundation for future growth and supports CaroTrans’ overall network of global operations.  Container freight stations will be established in Paris and Lyon, France to serve local shippers with secure, expedited services.   For inland moves throughout France and Europe, CaroTrans provides a comprehensive, door-to-door distribution network for consistent, reliable deliveries.

Le Havre is an important European gateway for CaroTrans’ full container load (FCL) and less than container load (LCL) services to and from points in the U.S., Asia, Middle East, South America and Canada and is a natural platform for freight moving to West Africa from these regions.  Initially, CaroTrans’ Le Havre office will support FCL and LCL exports from the U.S. with exports from France to the U.S. soon to follow.

The Le Havre office is the second new office for CaroTrans in 2012.  A CaroTrans office was opened in Seattle last month to serve global freight forwarders in the Pacific Northwest.

“We are committed to strengthening our presence in Europe with strategically placed branches in key markets.  CaroTrans branches, along with our network of dedicated agent partners, position us to provide the highest level of stable and secure customer service and support,” said Greg Howard, CaroTrans, Global CEO.  “The next phase of our expansion in Europe will likely be setting up CaroTrans offices in Paris and Marseilles.”

CSS India Visits Operinter

CSS India Director Jairam K R visited the Operinter office  in Barcelona recently. This visit was a part of the official agents visit in Europe. Jairam held meetings with the Operinter officials and discussed about various business programmes between the two companies. Operinter is one of the leading logistics companies in Spain with strong presence in all the major ports and cities of the country. CSS is having a long standing business relationship with Operinter and is expected to do even better during the coming days.

DP World Reports 10% Increase In Container Volumes In First Quarter Of 2012

DP World Limited held its Annual General Meeting for the year ended 31 December 2011 recently and World Chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem made the following statement regarding trading in the first quarter of 2012.

“Across our global portfolio of marine terminals, DP World has seen a 9.5% increase in gross volumes in the first quarter of 2012 handling 13.8 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units). Excluding the contribution from new capacity, like for like growth was 7.4%.

“This growth was driven by an excellent performance in our Asia Pacific and Indian Subcontinent region which reported 14.6% growth in volumes as new capacity across the region supported strong growth across our Asia Pacific portfolio. Growth in Europe, Middle East and Africa region was 4.4% with a good performance in the Middle East and Africa mitigating the ongoing challenging operating environment in Europe. The Americas and Australia region reported growth of 8.7% driven by a very strong performance in the Americas region.

“Our portfolio of consolidated terminals reported container volumes of 6.6 million TEU. Had our five terminals in Australia not been deconsolidated from the 12 March 2011, underlying growth would have been 5.9% when compared to the same period last year.

“Jebel Ali, UAE has continued to deliver strong volume growth handling 3.2 million TEU in the first three months of the year, 8.5% ahead of the same period last year.

“The global macroeconomic uncertainty has continued into 2012. With our portfolio focused on the faster growing emerging markets and more stable origin and destination (O&D) markets, we remain committed to delivering improved operational and financial performance over 2011”.

FPS Visit To CSS Kolkata

Yoshikatsu Sawada, Sales Director of FPS Singapore recently visited the CSS Kolkata office. His business visit was intended to strengthen the existing ties between FPS Singapore and CSS India and to chalk out new areas of operations and finalise some major movements from the Far East to the Eastern Indian region. Sawada interacted with the CSS team in Kolkata and enjoyed some fruitful discussions during his stay.

Badminton

CSS- India Club UAE Open

K. Nanda Gopal gave his reputation as one of upcoming talents of Indian badminton a big boost with a double crown at the India Club UAE Open badminton tournament played at the India Club. He walked away with the men’s super league singles crown and then the doubles title, partnering B. Sumeeth Reddy.

Twenty-one-year-old Gopal is a product of the P. Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad and is ranked India’s No 5. He produced a sterling performance in the final to down K. Ajay Kumar 21-19, 21-7.

Kumar is also from the same academy and is ranked No.18 in India. Kurmar started strongly in the first set and raced and was leading by five points, when Gopal lifted his game and clinched the set. In the second set, Gopal was in full flow and wrapped up the set with little effort to prove that he is the worthy winner of the title.

Inspired by his singles’ title win, Gopal then joined Sumeeth Reddy to down Indonesia’s Didi Purwanto and Bahrain’s Jaffer E. Jaffer Ebrahim in the men’s doubles final. Gopal and Reddy won 21-16, 21-14. Incidentally, Ebrahim is one of the most outstanding talents in the Middle East. More than 500 players contested the tournament. Co-support Sponsor, CSS Group was represented by Susanth Shekar, HR Manager, CSS gave away the prizes to the winners of the tournament.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOURNAMENT

  • The tournament was inaugurated on Monday,14th May 2012.
  • On an average 25 – 27 matches were played daily for 23 days.
  • A record number of 135 matches were played on two weekends, Fridays, 18th& 25th May and 40 matches were played on a weekday, Sat., 26th May.
  • Daily crowd: Approximately 300 including Club Members/Badminton Players/ Guests.
  • In all the 14 categories, 481 entries were received.
  • A total number of 485 matches were played throughout the tournament (so far highest ever on India Club records).
  • All the matches were played under the new WBF 21 point-scoring format.
  • Players from India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesian, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Germany, United Kingdom, Bahrain, China, Syria, Belgium & Denmark took part in the tournament besides the local Indian & Pakistani expats residing in the UAE.
  • The Badminton Committee comprised of A. K.Prakashan, Kishore Setpal, Anil Mohan.
  • A team of 25 Officials were also set up for the tournament.
  • This tournament started in the early 1978.
  • International & Olympic Umpire, Apinder Sabharwal umpired the super league matches.
  • H. E. Sanjay Verma, Consul General of India, Dubai spoke on the occasion.
  • Dr. Ram Buxani, Chairman, India Club also spoke on the occasion.

Golf

CSS would like to congratulate Ken Dinnadge, VP Business Development, recently representing CSS at a local golfing tournament organized by the UAE’s shipping fraternity.

His stellar play helped him to record one of the highest scores in tournament history and for getting only the 2nd ever Hole in One on the Par 3 course.

He did it using a 6 iron on the 167yard 7th hole, “It was an unbelievable shot that bounced on the top of the bunker in front of the green then rolled directly to the hole!!!” said Ken Dinnadge of his outstanding game. CSS congratulates all of the participants and organizers involved, well done!

Basketball

Senior Girls Basketball Team: CSS Group recently sponsored the girls Basketball team from ‘Our Own English High School’, Al Warqaa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

They ruled the basketball courts at the Mini Modern Basketball Tournament, held at the Dubai Modern High School back in May 2012.

‘Our Own English High School’ defeated Dubai Modern High in the finals by a score of 33-22.

Irene Jacob of Our Own English High School, Dubai was voted as MVP of the tournament.

CSS Group would like to congratulate the team on their outstanding performance!

Welcome Olympics 2012

London has hosted the Olympic Games on two past occasions, in 1908 and 1948, with a third scheduled for 2012. The planned 2012 Summer Olympics will make London the first city to have hosted the modern Games of three Olympiads. London is the only city in the United Kingdom to have ever hosted the Olympics; the United States is the only country to have hosted Summer Olympics on more occasions than the UK. There are some interesting facts from the history of Olympic Games, which you might not know.

  • In 1908, the marathon standard had been set at exactly 26 miles. During Olympic marathon in London, it was decided that the royal family needed a better view of the finish line so organizers added an extra 385 yards to the race so the finish line would be in front of the royal box. From then on the distance of the Marathon remains to be “26 miles and 385 yards.

 

  • Swimmer “Michael Phelps” of USA won 8 Gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It is the highest number of gold medals ever own by a single person in a single olympics game.

 

  • “Abebe Bikila” of Ethopia won the marathon in 1960 Rome Olympics by registering a record time of 2hrs 15mins and 16.2 secs. He ran this marathon bare footed. He also become the first african to win an olympic gold medal.

 

  • “Berlin Olympics” held in 1936 were the first Olympic games ever to be broadcast on television.

 

  • Romanian “Nadia Comaneci” was the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 seven times in a row. She achieved this feat in the 1976 Montreal Games.

 

  • “Hilda Lorna Johnstone” of Great Britain is the oldest women to have ever participated in Olympics till date. She was 70 years old when she participated in 1972 games. She was an Equestrian.

 

  • There were “no women” participants in the Athens olympics which were held in 1896. First time the women were allowed to participate was in the year 1900 summer olympics held in Paris.

 

  • “Charlotte Cooper” was the first women to win gold medal in the olympics. She won it in the sport of tennis, during the 2nd olympics held in Paris in the year 1900. It was the first olympics in which women participated.

 

  • “Oscar Swahn” of Sweden is the oldest olympian to have participated in any of the olympic events so far. He was a shooter who participated at the 1920 Antwerp Games at the age of 72 years.

 

  • “Dimitrios Loundras” was the youngest olympian ever to participate in modern olympics. He was a Greek gymnast, who competed in the 1896 Athens Olympics. He was 10 years and 218 days old. He remains to be the youngest medallist and competitor in any of the olympics till date.

 

  • “James Connolly” of USA was the first person to win a medal in the first modern olympics held in athens 1896. The winners were given a silver medal and olive leaf.

Some Facts About The London Olympics 2012

  • 26 Olympic sports will be played .
  • 19 Paralympic sports will be played.
  • The London economy is projected to grow by $80 billion by 2015.
  • The Games are projected to generate 12,000 new jobs in the Olympic Park.
  • 31 competition venues will be utilised.
  • 20,000 press/media will be in attendance.
  • 10km of new roads will be built.
  • There will be 500,000 spectators per day.
  • 9,000 new homes will be built.
  • There will be 9.6million tickets for sale – 8million for the Olympics and 1.6million for the Paralympics.
  • Organisers say 75 per cent of all tickets will cost less than £50 and offer free travel on London transport.
  • A sell-out rate of 82 per cent for the Olympic Games and 63 per cent for the Paralympics is estimated.
  • Tickets for the athletics will start at £15 and there will be 20,000 £10 tickets for the Olympic Park to watch.
  • The village will be converted into 3,600 apartments, most of them will be affordable housing.
  • After the Games four arenas would be ‘deconstructed’ and relocated to other parts of the UK along with the swimming pools that are used for water polo and the 50m training pools.
  • Charities will be given the sports equipment used in the Games for free.
  • 93 per cent of training venues are to be within 30 minutes of the athletes village.
  • There are 9,000 planned park and ride spaces to be made available at Ebbsfleet where spectators can board a 10-minute javelin service to the Olympic Park.
  • It is predicted that on event days 78 per cent of spectators are likely to travel from within London and 22 per cent from the rest of the UK and Europe.