Countdown to the Olympics

We took a significant step towards this in November when the BBC was given formal approval for an HD service by the BBC Trust. With all core sports coverage in Beijing being shot in high definition by the host broadcaster, it now enables us to offer the Olympics in HD for the first time.

We are planning some 300 hours of Olympic output on BBC One and Two over the 17 days of the Games and all of this will be simulcast on the BBC HD channel. In addition, via the red button, there will be an extra six digital interactive channels offering Olympic action 24/7 for the entire Games; an extra 2450 hours. All of this output will also be available on broadband in the UK.

As many events will climax during the working day, because of the seven-hour time difference, this will make it easier for those at work to access the key action. Overall, we will be doubling our TV output compared to Athens. Radio Five Live and its sister station Radio Five Live Sports Extra will also be offering round the clock coverage and a dedicated team will serve the Nations and Regions with news, interviews and features specifically designed for local consumption.

Of course, all the sports action being available on broadband is in addition to everything else that you have come to expect from the BBC Sport website: news, features, interviews, statistics etc. Indeed, we have just launched a revamped Olympic sub-section on the site with separate sections for all sports and the capability to embed video. This will become our default platform in the run up to the Games for preview material and will feature the latest news on British team selection.

It's too early for the majority of sports to finalise their squads but we were delighted, for example, to hear that we qualified a record four amateur boxers for Beijing, after the recent world championships, with a possibility of one or two more to come. This compares to one in Athens - Amir Khan. Clearly, the more British interest the better and that will also bode well for London 2012.

Now is also the time for us to put together our talent teams, sort out the logistics of getting everyone to China and accommodating them and making sure our own temporary production facilities are in place.

Every Games has its unique problems to solve and this one is no different. However, co-operation with the host broadcaster Beijing Olympic Broadcasting has been very good and we are happy that we will have the right facilities in place for whatever stories the sport throws up and all the other political, cultural and environmental issues that we will be reporting too.

We are committed to portraying a three-dimensional picture of China and the Games and giving our audiences that vital context to enhance their appreciation of events.

This will be a Games that will involve many areas of the BBC and not just Sport and one in which we can use the latest multi-platform digital technology to reach as many people as possible. The Olympics available how, where and when you want it. By contrast, it's difficult to imagine how the Olympic news was conveyed 100 years ago. Yes, there's a centenary to celebrate too and one with a special resonance here at the BBC.

We are very proud that the Olympic flag flies alongside BBC Headquarters in West London. Our base here in White City was the site of the London Olympics 100 years ago and I am sure we will also take a little time this year to reflect on that first historic Games held in London and some of the epic competition that took place.

Indeed the story of the 1908 Marathon and how it came to be run over 26 miles, 385 yards is one of the greatest in Olympic history. We look forward to chronicling the exploits of the legendary Dorando Pietri. Irving Berlin even wrote a song dedicated to the Great Dorando. As we welcome the New Year, let's also raise a glass to Paula Radcliffe and hope that a remarkable victory in next summer's marathon provokes another great songwriter into action.