Olympic Countdown

It's one year today until the London 2012 Olympics so Capital has been finding out what role the East Midlands will play in the event.

Loughborough University has been selected as the offical preparation camp for Team GB meaning many of the athletes will be using Loughborough’s facilities for their training before the games. Japan’s Olympic sports teams are also going to be training here before competitions in Europe from now until 2012.

17 year old Aidan Smith from Derbyshire is set to become one of the youngest people selected to officiate the games. He told Capital how it all came about Hear interview with Aidan

Capital has also been asking you if you've been getting excited for the Olympics a year in advance Hear if people from the East Midlands are looking forward to the Olympics

How the East Midlands will benefit?

Capital's been told the East Midlands could make over £300million pounds because of winning contracts for the games.

According to the regions development agency (EMDA) over 280 have been awarded locally. Firms include a local farm supplying McDonalds with all of its milk throughout the games, a concrete firm constructing all the concourses outside the Olympic stadium and local manufacturer providing all of the sealant used in the Olympic velodrome and aquadome.

EMDA also say more contracts are up for grabs for catering and security jobs, anyone interested should register at www.competefor.org

We've also spoken to our Chamber of Commerce who say the overal economic benefit for the East Midlands is another £66 million.

What's happening today?

Loads of events are taking place across the East Midlands throughout the day, in Derby the Market Place will be transformed to host dancing, sport demonstrations and musical performances.That's all going on from 10am to 7pm.

A film of young people’s sports and arts work will be screened for the first time on the Big Screen alongside ‘magic moments‘ from London celebrating this special day.

In Leicester there's also lots of activities going on around the big screen there, with a chance to re-create classic sporting events from recycled material.

In Nottingham two Bishops and community champions for the county and city councils will be completing a cycling and rowing stunt across Nottingham plus check out this video of Boris Dancing that erupted in the Victoria Shopping Centre just after mid-day.