The Sydney 2000 Games are considered the model Olympics for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the IOC itself. There are many ways in which Australia is influencing the Games or the wider celebrations across the UK.

Germany has a proud Olympic history. Together with the UK, it was one of the 14 nations who participated in the very first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Today, both countries have strong business and cultural links also reflected in the London 2012 Games.

Canada and the United Kingdom have strong relationships based on our shared history and heritage. Elizabeth II, as Head of State, opened the Montreal Games and will also open this year’s London 2012 Olympic (27 July 2012) and Paralympic Games (29 August 2012). But this is only one example of the strong connection and Canada’s impact on the Games.

After the success of the Beijing Games four years ago, the UK is hoping to bring some of the same precision and outstanding organisation to London 2012. But that is not the only way in which China is influencing the Games, or the wider celebrations across the UK.

When London hands over to the new host city Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympic Games, the strong Olympic relationships built between the UK and Brazil will continue. But it’s not the only way in which Brazil’s influence on the Games will be felt.

The Olympics, in some people’s eyes, was an Anglo-French collaboration: founded by a Frenchman, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, taking inspiration from an English festival – the ‘Olympian Society Annual Games’ in Much Wenlock. More than a century on, this collaboration is every bit as strong in London 2012.

India is hoping London 2012 will bring even more success than the 2008 Beijing Games, which saw its best ever Olympic performance with three medals in different sports and also winning its first individual gold medal.

Britain and Japan have long-standing business and cultural links fostered by governments, as well as regional and private partnerships. There are many ways in which Japan is influencing the Games or the wider celebrations across the UK. Here are just six examples.

After the success of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the UK is hoping to bring some of the same outstanding organisation to London 2012. But there are many ways South Africa is influencing the Games or the wider celebrations across the UK.

When London hands over to Russia for the Sochi 2014 Winter Games, strong Olympic relationships will have been made. But this is not the only way in which Russia’s influence on the Games or wider celebrations across the UK will be visible.