Back

Logistics Meets the Challenges of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

LOCOG and UPS Keep the Games Running

Ever wondered what it takes to organise an Olympic Games? It is one of the largest logistical undertakings in the world – and it’s followed just two weeks later by another major event, the Paralympic Games. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) needed a global logistics company with the scale and scope to handle such a massive logistical challenge. That’s why LOCOG chose UPS as the Official Logistics and Express Delivery Supporter of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

During the Games, UPS will be responsible for virtually all the logistics services for London 2012. As a world leader in logistics, UPS will support over 170 Games sites, provide warehousing services, and leverage a global distribution network to collect and deliver practically everything from packages and documents to heavy freight, and even assist with the clean-up efforts when the Games end.

Whether it's a canoe from Cameroon or a discus from Denmark, UPS shipping and global freight services will be ready to deliver virtually everything LOCOG needs for the Games. With a worldwide distribution network, air and ocean freight shipping, and an extensive ground transportation fleet, UPS will play a major role in helping to deliver the Games. By the time the London 2012 Games end, UPS will have handled approximately 30 million individual items. In addition, UPS will be responsible for customs clearance, freight forwarding and courier services before, during and after the Games.

UPS is preparing to assist with getting the myriad pieces of athletic equipment, personal belongings and infrastructure to London, but that’s just one piece of the puzzle. The Games are meticulously staged, and many thousands of items must be warehoused, inventoried and tracked until they are needed at the appropriate sites. Thanks to UPS technology LOCOG will have the ability to track UPS inbound and outbound shipments and delivery status, providing their team visibility of the supply chain from pickup and shipping to final destination.

“Staging an Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is probably the biggest peacetime logistical undertaking in the world. UPS will bring a wealth of expertise to the planning and delivery of a spectacular Games in 2012 – they have a great heritage in supporting the Games, global capabilities and we look forward to them being a vital part of the team. Having one single supplier to handle the majority of our complex transportation and logistical needs will benefit everyone. Our commercial programme continues to attract global interest and I’m thrilled that yet another high profile brand is on board.”

– Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG.

As the only international company providing global delivery services to Games Sites, UPS is dedicated to delivering more services at more places during the Games. For example, UPS will offer international shipping services at major sites and sponsor hotels. Athletes and spectators alike can ship packages to and from the Games with ease. Have some London 2012 souvenirs or gifts to ship? UPS can handle that, too.

Whether it’s taking on a logistics challenge for the London 2012 Games or simply shipping the little things that make for a memorable event, UPS has the technology, resources and expertise to help you succeed. If UPS can support the London 2012 Games, imagine what UPS can do for your business.

Article Highlights

Warehousing and tracking inventory of millions of items for the Games
Managing logistics of two major events—Olympic and Paralympic Games—just two weeks apart