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With less than 400 days to go until the start of the London Olympics, the Games have become one step closer this week as Greenwich Park hosts the first of the test events for 2012.

Last week, local MP for Greenwich and Woolwich, Nick Raynsford, visited the site to oversee the preparations put in place as part of the London Prepares programme. He was shown round by members of the London Organising Committee (LOCOG), the body responsible for staging the 2012 Games.

Mr Raynsford was shown the 2,000-seat arena, and the associated stalling, competitor, spectator and administrative facilities which have been temporarily erected, and some of the 27 jumps on the cross country course.

Following the visit, Mr Raynsford commented: ‘I am very impressed with the organisation that has gone into getting Greenwich Park ready for the first of the test events for London 2012. LOCOG have ensured that all planning obligations have been met, and the works carried out with great care. All of this looks well for the successful staging of the Olympic equestrian events and modern penathloon in 2012.

I made sure that the case was pressed for Greenwich residents to benefit from this event, and I am therefore delighted that LOCOG gave away 4,500 free tickets this week for local residents and school children to watch the test events in action in their own constituency.

Demand for tickets for the 2012 events has far exceeded numbers, which is an indication that the Equestrian games in Greenwich are going to be a very popular event. This will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase Greenwich to the rest of the world”.