They may be four years away but the British are worrying, preparing, and building at break neck speed.http://www.newser.com/2008 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorThu, 20 Nov 2008 1:52:40 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/35722/after-beijing-pageantry-london-2012-tries-a-bus.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe Beijing Olympics' closing ceremony was predictably stupendous, with thousands of acrobats and "more orthodontically screened children," writes Guardian columnist Marina Hyde. It certainly ran over the 8-minute tableau promoting the 2012 Games in London. While China spent years preparing its "deliciously understated 16-day world domination infomercial," the Brits decided on a low-budget showcase that featured rain-soaked commuters waiting for a bus.http://www.newser.com/story/35722/after-beijing-pageantry-london-2012-tries-a-bus.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 25 Aug 2008 6:34:27 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/35670/china-wraps-up-olympic-idyll.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe 2008 Beijing Olympic Games wrapped up today with a star-studded fireworks-filled extravaganza worthy of its opening, Reuters reports. With 51 golds, China easily topped the medal rankings, capping a near-flawlessly-executed couple of weeks that saw smog lifting, transport worries evaporating, and Tibet protests dwindling. Still, arrests and suppression of free speech marred China's image, say critics.http://www.newser.com/story/35670/china-wraps-up-olympic-idyll.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSun, 24 Aug 2008 10:35:45 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/34386/olympic-collectors-go-for-gold.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe 2008 Olympics have barely begun and collectors are already jockeying for possession of Beijing memorabilia. But serious shoppers are bypassing the hundreds of official knickknacks, hoping instead to score big-ticket items such as medals and sweaty uniforms, Portfolio reports. It's serious business: A gold medal from the 1904 Games in St. Louis—651 athletes vs. 11,000 this year—recently brought in $49,000, and jerseys from the 1992 “Dream Team” went for $10,800.http://www.newser.com/story/34386/olympic-collectors-go-for-gold.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThu, 07 Aug 2008 20:33:42 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/34236/chess-too-wimpy-for-olympics.html?refid=rss_all_defaultChess players and bridge players will be spectators when the Olympics begin this week, but both are making a strong push to be official sports at the 2012 Games, Time reports. First, they'll have to convince a skeptical International Olympic Committee that they belong, despite their decided lack of physical activity. "Mind sports, by their nature, cannot be part of the program," says one IOC official.http://www.newser.com/story/34236/chess-too-wimpy-for-olympics.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 06 Aug 2008 10:06:55 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/32027/indias-growing-riches-buoy-olympic-hopes.html?refid=rss_all_defaultIndia is not a nation known for its Olympic prowess—it's never even won more than two medals in one Games—but Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal wants to change all that, the Christian Science Monitor reports. The Mittal Champions Trust is spending millions to train and prepare India's elite—often dissuaded from seriously pursuing sports in the past—for the 2012 Olympic Games.http://www.newser.com/story/32027/indias-growing-riches-buoy-olympic-hopes.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 09 Jul 2008 15:58:56 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/28496/for-sale-stadium-seating-lightly-used.html?refid=rss_all_defaultIf Chicago wins its bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games, it might follow more closely in London 2012's footsteps than expected. The cities have begun discussing the possible sale of large parts of London's new stadium to Chicago, the Guardian reports. The deal could result in 55,000 seats crossing the Atlantic for reuse in a new Windy City arena.http://www.newser.com/story/28496/for-sale-stadium-seating-lightly-used.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 27 May 2008 7:57:07 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/25229/brits-duped-over-olympic-pricetag.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe projected pricetag of the 2012 Olympic games in London has more than doubled to $18 billion since the city was picked as host three years ago—and the British government is being accused of deliberately low-balling estimates to sell the event to the public, the Guardian reports. A public spending watchdog says the original figure was completely unrealistic.http://www.newser.com/story/25229/brits-duped-over-olympic-pricetag.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 21 Apr 2008 23:39:51 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/20417/britain-seeks-giant-steps-at-2012-olympics.html?refid=rss_all_defaultA, ahem, heightened push to make Britain's sports teams more competitive by the time London hosts the 2012 Olympics has added 52 new athletes to the country’s handball, rowing, and volleyball squads, the Telegraph reports. The “Sporting Giants” program sought tall applicants—over 6-foot-3 for men and 5-11 for women—from all walks of life to try their hand at a new sport.http://www.newser.com/story/20417/britain-seeks-giant-steps-at-2012-olympics.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSat, 05 Apr 2008 17:21:39 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/9289/osama-bin-london-planned-several-attacks.html?refid=rss_all_defaultAn alleged terrorist organizer planned "six or seven" attacks leading up to the 2012 London Olympics, according to an undercover police who infiltrated his organization, the Guardian reports. Mohammed Hamid, who reportedly called himself "Osama bin London," is accused of establishing military-style Islamist training camps all over England. He and several associates are in trial for various charges in London.http://www.newser.com/story/9289/osama-bin-london-planned-several-attacks.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSat, 05 Apr 2008 17:21:39 CDT