As they leave, more than 10,000 athletes from 204 countries will arrive, and the tantalizing prospect of international stars such as Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps competing alongside British hopes like Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah should go some way to appeasing those Britons who choose to stay behind.

"There is an unprecedented appetite among elite-level competitors around the world to get to London, that's the one thing I've learned," Coe said. "On top of domestic engagement, I don't think any Games has ever had that level of excitement."