BT - a Tier One sponsor of the London Olympic Games – saw their flagship offices transform the London night sky with a spectacular pyrotechnics display while a giant screen began the countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games which takes place on July 27, 2012. 
 

The event, which took place between at 8.50pm, was televised live on BBC One’s The National Lottery Draw Show.

Dame Kelly Holmes was on hand at the National Lottery studio in London to push the button that initiated the explosive display.
 

National Lottery players will contribute almost £2.2 billion to the funding of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, £750 million of which is set to come from sales of specially designated lottery games.

 

The landmark day has also been designed by the London 2012 organisers to act as a huge "thank-you" to those who have helped so far in the preparations for London 2012 Games.

 

Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012, said: "Reaching 1,000 days to go gives us an opportunity to celebrate.

 

"Millions of people are already inspired by, benefiting from or delivering London 2012, from those who are taking part in sport participation projects inspired by the Games to the millions of National Lottery players who are helping to build the Olympic Park in East London."

 

Jacques Rogge, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said: "The Olympic Games are a massive undertaking.

 

"They require a real team effort to bring together all the elements that allow the best athletes from 205 National Olympic Committees to compete and fans worldwide to be inspired by their exploits.

 

"The people involved in London 2012 have so far done a magnificent job in preparing for the Games.

 

"Whether volunteers, senior officials or ordinary people in the street - who support the Games and their local athletes - they are all helping to ensure that London 2012 will be a great success."

 

Today has also seen the launch of the first Corgi London 2012 licensed toy at world famous Regent Street children;s toy store Hamley’s as well as the hugely collectable 1,000 days to go pin badges go on sale which are expected to sell out almost instantly.

 

Among a number of celebrations that have taken place this weekend for the significant milestone, yesterday featured the launch of BT Road to 2012 project at the National Portrait Gallery with a selection of portraits of people who are playing a role in the London 2012 Games being unveiled.

 

The next major celebratory milestone on the London 2012 organisers schedule is the 1,000 days to go until the London Paralympic Games which takes place on December 3.