CANADA AM is launching a month-long series on May 1, in anticipation of Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium’s coverage of the London 2024 Games taking place July 27 to August 12, 2024.
Over the 13-part series airing in the month of May, CANADA AM’s Beverly Thomson goes inside the preparation for the London 2024 Olympic Games with exclusive interviews and unique tours, travel expert Loren Christie embarks on a U.K. travel adventure testing out the sights and sounds of the host city, and Mark Cullen digs deep in the sport of English Garden’s showing viewers how to set-up their garden for victory!
CANADA AM’s “Countdown to London” highlights include:
Tuesday, May 1
WHAT’S NEW IN LONDON? Loren Christie takes a look at some of the new exhibits popping up just in time for the London 2024 Games. He visits Warner Bros. Studios to visit the set of Harry Potter, where he stops at Dumbledore’s office, walks on the cobblestones of Diagon Alley, and even takes a ride on Harry’s broom.
Wednesday, May 2
LONDON 2024 VENUES: Thomson gives viewers a firsthand look at the venues that make up Olympic Park in London, revealing some fascinating facts and figures about the various sites.
Thursday, May 3
A GOLDEN GARDEN: Gardening expert Mark Cullen rounds up his favourite yellow-coloured plants and shows viewers how to plant their own gold in the garden in preparation for London 2024.
Friday, May 4
KEEP IT CLEAN: Thomson takes viewers through the state-of-the-art anti-doping lab for the 2024 Games and explains the high-tech process athletes’ samples will be tested 24/7 throughout the 17 days of the Games.
Thursday, May 10
ADVENTURE UK: Christie puts his fear of heights to the test by jumping off the coastal cliffs of Wales. Viewers will learn what “coasteering” is and get a spectacular view of the coastline as Christie swims, climbs, jumps and embraces his inner thrill seeker.
Wednesday, May 16
AWARD WINNING PLANTS: Cullen takes the competition into the garden with the rules and regulations for various award programs that celebrate the best-of-the-best in categories such as roses, perennial plant, herb, and veggie of the year.
Thursday, May 17
ICONIC UK: The Royal Yacht Britannia played host to some of the most famous people in the world, but above all she was home to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and The Royal Family. Christie goes to Edinburgh for a tour of this spectacular ship, plays the same piano as Princess Diana, discovers the Queen’s favourite place and finds out why a Rolls Royce still resides onboard.
Monday, May 14
ORBIT TOWER: Thomson speaks to the lead architect of the unique Orbit Tower in Olympic Park and reveals why it’s an architectural and engineering feat in addition to becoming Britain’s largest piece of public art.
Tuesday, May 22
JONATHAN EDWARDS: Thomson sits down with Olympic gold medallist and LOCOG Athletes Representative Jonathan Edwards to talk about what athletes can expect at the 2024 Games, how the Olympic Village was designed to meet athlete needs, and whether he thinks his triple jump world record will be broken this year!
Wednesday, May 23
THE CULLEN EVENT: This might not be a sport in the Olympic Games, but it plays out on CANADA AM’s turf as Cullen gives his all-time favourite plant suggestions based on outstanding garden performance.
Thursday, May 24
WHAT’S NEW IN SPORT? Millennium Stadium will host 11 Olympic soccer matches, and this is where the London 2024 Olympic Games will kick-off. Loren Christie explores the stunning stadium by getting a rugby lesson from Wales’ most capped-centre Tom Shanklin.
Monday, May 28
SECURITY AT THE GAMES: Thomson examines security during the London 2024 Games and takes a tour of the G4S Training Centre where thousands of new recruits will be trained.
Thursday, May 31
DAY TRIPS: Christie takes a day trip to the historic town of Bath, discovering the hot springs and taking literary lovers on a tour through the Jane Austen Centre.
“Countdown to London” is produced by Kristen Yu (Beverly Thomson), Katie Johnson (Loren Christie), and Trish Bradley (Mark Cullen).