Michael Johnson will be first to run at London 2012 Olympic Stadium

By James Toney, Sportsbeat

 MICHAEL Johnson's erect, shorter-stride running style propelled him to four Olympic golds and eight world titles - now, ten years after he retired, he will put his spikes back on.

TWO YEARS TO GO: London's Olympic Park is taking shape. Aquatic centre in foreground with the Olympic Stadium - where Michael Johnson will christen the track - almost complete (Locog via Getty Images)

With exactly two years to go until the London 2012 opening ceremony, Johnson will run down a specially-constructed track in the 80,000 Olympic Stadium in Stratford.

Elsewhere, four-time Olympic gold medallist, Sir Chris Hoy, will cycle inside the velodrome for the first time while former NBA star John Amaechi will shoot the first hoop in the basketball arena.

The message is clear - with 731 days to go, we're ready to go.

In the weeks ahead we'll get used to these landmark Olympic dates. Two years to go, 500 days to go, one year to go, one month to go....the list goes on and on with each accompanied by some positive news and powerful imagery. Latest London 2012 column by Sportsbeat's James Toney

"With two years to go the venues and infrastructure needed for the Games and in legacy are on schedule and within budget," said Olympic Delivery Authority chairman John Armitt.

"The venues will be ready next summer - a year ahead of the Games - to allow time for test events. 

"The skyline of east London has changed dramatically over the last few months as the venues take shape. 

"It is a sign of the strong progress we have made that we are able to stage these events on the site today and give the public a glimpse inside the world class new sports venues being built for the Games. 

"There is still a long way to go and we are not complacent but the foundations for success are now in place."

London 2012 officials hope to use the two year to go celebration to kickstart their recruitment drive to find 70,000 volunteers.

In addition Mayor of London Boris Johnson will unveil his plan to recruit 8,000 London Ambassadors who will be located at key points across the capital - including transport hubs, outside Games venues, and at popular visitor spots. 

Meanwhile, London 2012 chairman Seb Coe has revealed more than 1.4 million people have pre-registered for the ten million Olympic and Paralympic tickets, which will go on sale in spring next year.

"There are two years to go until the Olympic Games begin and we want everyone to start planning their once in a lifetime experience in 2012," he said 

"We are well on track - the venues are nearing completion and our plans are coming together. Now it's the public's turn. 

"How will you spend the summer of 2012? Whether it's buying a ticket, becoming a volunteer, being part of our education or culture programmes - there are hundreds of ways you can get involved."