This week we saw the Olympic Park in full bloom, the fastest man on the planet strike a pose outside the Olympic Stadium, and some triathletes taking a plunge in the Serpentine.

... and my focus shifts more clearly on 2012

Last week I was out in the Czech Republic racing for Great Britain in the U23 IWAS World Championships over 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m and 5km. I've been wheelchair racing for just over a year after breaking my back 2 years ago. Although I've competed internationally many times I've never represented Great Britain at a championships so it was pretty exciting getting GB kit for the 1st time and travelling to Prague as a team (with Channel 4 in tow).

See what has been happening at London 2012 this week...

This weekend marks two years to go until the Paralympic Games. Pictured with Mandeville are ParalympicsGB hopefuls and Chris Holmes, Paralympian and LOCOG Director of Paralympic Integration, celebrating at the University of Bath.

 

Talented athletes from 205 nations, competing in 26 sports across multiple venues. Opening and Closing ceremonies starting and finishing the event. Sound familiar?

On the surface there is much about the Youth Olympic Games which mirrors a Summer Games – but in the IOC's vision for the Games, there is much which is different and special about these Games too.

From both a personal and a London perspective, Singapore is a special place. It's where, at the 2005 International Olympic Committee session, London outlined its Olympic and Paralympic vision to inspire more young people through sport, and won our bid to host the Games. Five years later, it has just come to the end of the highly-anticipated inaugural Youth Olympic Games ('YOG'). With the curtains coming down at the Closing Ceremony of the event, it would seem to be an ideal time to post a few observations and reflections.

The highlights of this week included the first-ever Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, plus some important milestones for London 2012 venues.

Great progress is being made on the Basketball Arena on the Olympic Park. This picture shows some of the internal and external scaffolding work being done.

A ball with bells in it, manufactured in state penitentiaries in South America, being chased by eight men in blindfolds – is this some Dantesque dream? No, it represented my visit to the IBSA World Blind Football Championships in Hereford this week.

I first got involved in handball through the Sporting Giants campaign in 2008. My mum read about it in the paper, so I filled out the form, went along to the trials and was selected from 3,000 people. I play club handball for Asker in Norway, but at the moment I'm getting ready to return to the UK for the Four Nations Tournament in Liverpool in September.

Playing at the Echo Arena in Liverpool will be special for two reasons. Firstly, because the last time we played there we won and qualified for Europe. It was one of the biggest wins ever for a British handball team. Secondly, it will be a real home match for me seeing as I'm from nearby Bury. My family and friends will be able to come and watch me in action, which will be brilliant.

The tournament will definitely be a close one. We've already beaten Portugal this year – which is a major confidence booster. But the tournament's also a great chance for us to show what a great sport handball is and promote it across the North West. It's such a fast and physical game – and is ideally suited to the UK because it's an indoor, all-weather sport!

Of course, my ultimate aim is London 2012. It is every sports person's dream to play in the Olympic Games, mine included. It would be fantastic and is something that, once you've done it, can never be taken away from you. Taking part in a home Olympics will be even better. It will be so special and and will make a massive difference in terms of people’s awareness of handball.

I am particularly excited about the venues for the Olympic Handball competition. The Handball Arena and Basketball Arena will be brilliant – it will be great to play in front of such big home crowds. Also, it will be amazing to be on the Olympic Park, in the middle of the action. The thought of being there and competing at London 2012 definitely spurs me on to achieve my personal best.

As part of Open House London, the capital's largest architectural showcase, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is opening the doors to the Olympic Park and is taking on the challenge to match last year's record-breaking number of visitors. 

Sally Gunnell and Tessa Sanderson show us their Olympic gold medals at Open House 2009

In the latest of our popular audio blogs, Chris Holmes, Director of Paralympic Integration, talks about the build-up to two years to go to the London 2012 Paralympic Games – and highlights some of the exciting summer events ahead.

Listen to Chris' blog (When you click on the link, it should open in your default audio player)

Read the full transcript of Chris' blog