London 2012 Olympic schedule released

The world has had its first look at the competition schedule for the London 2012 Olympics.

This is where the Games become "very real", London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said: "This is a really big moment, a huge moment."

The times, dates and prices to watch more than 600 separate sports sessions will be emailed to the 2.2 million people who have signed up for information. Tickets go on sale next month.

Lord Coe, himself a two-time 1500m Olympic champion, said: "In this project, every day you get closer, every day it becomes more of a living creature.

"We have over 600 sessions and in my own experience as a competitor this is the point that it suddenly becomes very real.

"I remember this point in the build-up to Los Angeles, and realising I was going to be running seven races in nine days."

He added: "We are now getting to the business end of the project and we know from the number of people who have signed up for ticket information that there is a real hunger from all parts of the country to be there.

"We can start to picture what might happen."

An obvious highlight is the men's 100m.

Lord Coe, who recalls being locked in an intense rivalry with team mate Steve Ovett during his career, said: "There is a recognition now that the men's 100m is a pretty serious moment and we have planned that to be fairly early on the evening of Sunday August 5.

"The things people remember are head-to-heads and we could potentially have one of the best given that Tyson Gay is going to make this a really tough run for Usain Bolt."

Britain's first strong shot at gold is likely to be in the men's cycling road race on July 28.

Manxman Mark Cavendish should be favourite to cross the finish line among the crowds in the Mall in central London.

Lord Coe said: "I know all about having burdens of expectations put on you, but we do have high, high hopes in that event."