As the Tokyo 2020 Olympics inspire the nation, we're looking back at the excitement in Suffolk ahead of London 2012.

Ipswich Star: A Mini Olympics for primary school children at Northgate Sports Centre, Ipswich, in 2010A Mini Olympics for primary school children at Northgate Sports Centre, Ipswich, in 2010 (Image: Archant)

For several years before the event, schools, clubs and sports centres around the area joined in the big build-up.

Ipswich Star: Sir Keith Mills, London Olympics 2012 deputy director, opening Heath Primary School's wall of tiles in 2010Sir Keith Mills, London Olympics 2012 deputy director, opening Heath Primary School's wall of tiles in 2010 (Image: Archant)

Pupils at Heath Primary School in Kesgrave got involved in several Olympic-themed projects, and were successful in a competition to design a velodrome.

The school also created an impressive wall of tiles, featuring messages from all pupils and many sporting personalities.

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This was officially opened by Sir Keith Mills, deputy director of the London Olympics, in 2008, on his third visit to the school.

Ipswich Star: Lord Seb Coe visiting Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre in 2009, to have a look at the facilities ahead of the 2012 Olympics.Lord Seb Coe visiting Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre in 2009, to have a look at the facilities ahead of the 2012 Olympics. (Image: Archant)

Director of the London 2012 Olympics Lord Seb Coe also visited Suffolk the following year. The running legend visited Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre, to find out how the Olympics were inspiring a new generation of talent.

Ipswich Star: Ross Edgar, cycling silver medallist at the Beijing Olympics, at Moreton Hall Community Centre in Bury St Edmunds with young cyclists in 2008Ross Edgar, cycling silver medallist at the Beijing Olympics, at Moreton Hall Community Centre in Bury St Edmunds with young cyclists in 2008 (Image: Archant)

And Olympics nostalgia was in the air at Amberfield School in Nacton, where students dressed up for a 1912 Olympics event in 2011.

Ipswich Star: Pupils at Amberfield School, Nacton took part in a 1912 Olympics event in 2011Pupils at Amberfield School, Nacton took part in a 1912 Olympics event in 2011 (Image: Archant)

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Ipswich Star: Pupils at Amberfield School, Nacton, took part in a 1912 Olympics event in 2011Pupils at Amberfield School, Nacton, took part in a 1912 Olympics event in 2011 (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: A Mini Olympics for primary school children at Northgate Sports Centre, Ipswich, in 2010A Mini Olympics for primary school children at Northgate Sports Centre, Ipswich, in 2010 (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Pupils from Heath Primary School in Kesgrave in 2008, celebrating their success in a national competition to design the Velodrome for the 2012 OlympicsPupils from Heath Primary School in Kesgrave in 2008, celebrating their success in a national competition to design the Velodrome for the 2012 Olympics (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Danny Crates, 800 metres gold medallist at the Athens Paralympics, with children at Great Cornard Upper School in 2006Danny Crates, 800 metres gold medallist at the Athens Paralympics, with children at Great Cornard Upper School in 2006 (Image: Archant)