Spectacular fireworks and impressive performances were the themes of the opening ceremony on January 8th in the Ruhpolding Championspark. Following the biathlon World Championships last year, the world again was watching the Biathlon in the Chiemgau Arena for five days. Tora Berger, Miriam Gössner and Martin Fourcade led the winner's parade in Ruhpolding. Berger anchored the winning women's relay team and then dominated the mass start on Sunday. In between, Gössner captured the fan's hearts by running away with the sprint. Then there was Fourcade; he anchored the relay, and flew to wins in the sprint and mass start. Norway and France with a bit of Germany thrown in was how the week went.

The technology and ingenuity of broadcasters with distribution rights to the 2012 Olympics were thoroughly tested in an effort to serve a wider viewing audience than ever before, measured both geographically and by sheer audience numbers. Following extensive evaluations to find the best encoding platforms for both live and on-demand video streaming, the BBC, CTV, Terra, NHK and Eurosport all selected Elemental video processing solutions to support coverage of the 2012 Olympics.

The 2012 Tour de France is the 99th edition. It began in the city of Liège in Belgium on 30 June, and is scheduled to end on the Champs-Elysées in Paris on 22 July. Besides Belgium and France, the Tour will also pass through Switzerland. The route features a total of 101.1 km covered in individual time trials and only three uphill finishes: La Planche des Belles Filles (stage 7), La Toussuire - Les Sybelles (stage 11) and Peyragudes (stage 17).

Recognised as one of the world’s oldest sports, Wrestling was first held at the ancient Olympics in 708 BC, and Greco-Roman Wrestling was included at the Athens 1896 Games, the first of the modern era. Played out on a circular mat, the sport is a battle of nerves, strength and skill, and should provide plenty of drama at ExCeL during London 2012.

Water Polo developed during the 19th century as an aquatic version of rugby, played informally in rivers and lakes. The version of the game that survives today is closer to Handball: a fast, tough and demanding sport, it has featured on every Olympic programme since the Paris 1900 Games. Women’s Water Polo was introduced at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Weightlifting will showcase a test of pure strength – the oldest and most basic form of physical competition. At the London Olympics weightlifting is staged at the ExCel exhibition centre.

Just three weeks after the end of the annual grand slam tournament, Wimbledon will once again welcome the best players in the world for the London 2012 Tennis competition.

Volleyball made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 1964 Games for both men and women. At Beijing 2008, the gold medals were won by the USA (men) and Brazil (women).

Expect plenty of excitement at ExCeL when the Taekwondo competitors take to the court at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Blues crowned kings of Europe for first time after thrilling shoot-out in Bavaria - All the action at the Allianz Arena was covered by the host broadcaster Sky Deutschland for 238 rights-holding broadcasters and a worldwide audience of 300 mio.

Synchronised Swimming is all about grace under pressure, as athletes use pinpoint precision and immense stamina to deliver beautiful routines in the pool.

Power, subtlety and lightning-fast reflexes will all be on display at ExCel during the Table Tennis competition. The sport has come a long way from its origins in the late 19th century, when it developed as an after-dinner game played by upper-class English families. More than a century later, Table Tennis is a breathtaking spectacle that blends power, speed, skill and subtlety. It’s the biggest participation sport in the world.

Hugely popular around the world as a leisure activity and a competitive sport, Swimming has featured at every modern Olympic Games. Other than the Marathon Swimming 10km event, held in the Serpentine in Hyde Park, the Swimming competition will take place in the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park.

During the London 2012 Games, nearly 400 competitors are shooting for gold across 15 dramatic events. The Royal Artillery Barracks provides a fitting location for Shooting with a heritage dating back to 1716 when a Royal Warrant authorised the formation of two artillery companies.

Given the choice of watching a major live event on site or via television, most people would opt for the real thing. Sure, you have to get to the venue, perhaps queue to buy a ticket, find your seat or maybe stand for hours. If it is a football match, the audience in front will probably stand up for a better view of each goal, completely blocking your view. But you are there and you feel part of it.