As the official communications services partner for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games we’re responsible for providing the communications services and infrastructure to make London 2012 the most connected Games ever, but it’s not just about the sporting action – we’re enabling people to have a fantastic London 2012 experience through music and art too.

Welcoming the world to London

BT River of Music will celebrate the very best international music at five iconic venues across London over the weekend of 21 and 22 July 2012. All the BT River of Music events are free to attend (although some will be ticketed due to capacity restrictions at the venue) with over 500,000 people able to enjoy the events over the two days.

Telling the stories of the people making the Games a success

The National Portrait Gallery/BT Road to 2012 project celebrates the people who are making the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games happen. Thanks to BT’s funding, we’re enabling the Gallery not only to create the portraits but also to share them with the public through annual exhibitions, a website and community projects. Around 100 portraits will have been commissioned in total by July 2012.

Suzi Williams, Director of Group Marketing and Brand, BT, says: ‘'The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be a once in a lifetime experience and it is important for the cultural legacy of the Games that the people at the heart of the event are celebrated and recorded. The Road to 2012 portraits will help ensure that the inspirational power of the Games can be shared with the nation for years to come. As a Premier Partner of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, we are proud to be helping to make this happen.'

Visit the project website www.npg.org.uk/roadto2012 for more information, including interviews with the photographers and sitters, and behind the scenes shots. The portraits will form a lasting record of London 2012 for generations to come.