The National Portrait Gallery/BT Road to 2012 Project celebrates those who are collectively making the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games happen.

The National Portrait Gallery/BT Road to 2012 Project is capturing the journey towards the London 2012 Games and is creating a lasting record of the people who are contributing to this exciting event. From world-class athletes and those working behind the scenes, to people living and working in the Olympic host boroughs, the project celebrates stories of inspirational achievement.

The National Portrait Gallery is working with high-profile photographers over three years and commissioning a series of new portraits. Sitters include project enablers and world-class athletes, as well as those working and training behind the scenes. The commissioned work to date can be seen on this website together with films of the sitters and photographers, behind-the-scenes images of the photo-shoots and an audio blog by the project manager. Each summer, the most recent portraits are exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery.

Road to 2012: Setting Out, was the first year of the project in which Brian Griffin and Bettina von Zwehl were commissioned to photograph inspirational figures involved at the start of the journey to London 2012.

Road to 2012: Changing Pace, is the second year of the project with portraits by Emma Hardy and Finlay MacKay. The exhibition of their work opens at the National Portrait Gallery on 25 July 2011. Hardy's intimate depictions of the men and women involved in the preparations for staging the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games show them in locations and pursuits where they might reflect or find inspiration. MacKay's complex scenarios capture world-class UK athletes where they train, alongside the people who are supporting their Olympic or Paralympic ambition.

Road to 2012 also includes three participation projects that highlight local east London stories including perspectives on the changing landscape and the impact of the Games on the local environment. Young people and adults working, living and studying in the five host boroughs share their thoughts, hopes and aspirations.

Road to 2012 aims to encourage people locally and across the country to share their own stories of the journey towards the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Contribute to the creative archive by uploading your own photographs here.