For those keener on celebrity-spotting than medal-counting, London has plenty to offer at the moment. Away from the Games, Hollywood royalty such as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Nicole Kidman will be rubbing shoulders with diplomats and businessmen. Meanwhile, Dizzy Rascal, The Wanted, Snow Patrol, Scissor Sisters and other musicians will perform at outdoor concerts across the capital.
One of the most glamorous bashes will be a charity gala dinner at the Victoria & Albert Museum on Wednesday.
Pitt, Jolie, Christopher Lee and Bob Geldof will attend the event, held in honour of the boxing great Muhammad Ali.
Others reportedly attending include Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Prince Harry.
Kidman is expected at a launch party on July 28, while a space-themed bash on August 2 will feature the American astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Gene Cernan and Tom Stafford.
Other guests will include the swimmer Michael Phelps and the Bollywood actor and film producer Abhishek Bachchan.
Plenty of celebrities will make appearances during the Games - but only on video. The Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, the actress Helen Mirren and the boxer Amir Khan are among those who recorded a "goodbye" video to be played on screens as fans leave the Olympic venues at the end of each sporting session.
