Photos: A look at London before the 2012 Olympics

A general view of Chelsea on April 30, 2012 in London, England. Shot in April 2012 ahead of the London 2012 Olympics. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173811337 )

A general view of Oxford Street on May 1, 2012 in London, England. Shot in April 2012 ahead of the London 2012 Olympics. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830524 )

A general view of Charles Dickens house on May 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173858230 )

A general view of Battersea Power Station on May 3, 2012 in London, England. Shot in April 2012 ahead of the London 2012 Olympics. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825313 )

A general view of Covent Garden on May 1, 2012 in London, England. Shot in April 2012 ahead of the London 2012 Olympics. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825325 )

A graffito is displayed on May 1, 2012 in London, England. Shot in April 2012 ahead of the London 2012 Olympics. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825419 )

A general view of Victoria Memorial on April 30, 2012 in London, England. Shot in April 2012 ahead of the London 2012 Olympics. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825468 )

A general view of Chelsea on April 30, 2012 in London, England. Shot in April 2012 ahead of the London 2012 Olympics. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825663 )

People seated in a cafe on April 30, 2012 in London, England. Shot in April 2012 ahead of the London 2012 Olympics. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825687 )

A railroad track on May 3, 2012 in London, England. Shot in April 2012 ahead of the London 2012 Olympics. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825700 )

A pint of beer and a five pounds banknote on May 2, 2012 in London, England. Shot in April 2012 ahead of the London 2012 Olympics. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825713 )

A general view of Warren Street underground station on May 1, 2012 in London, England. Shot in April 2012 ahead of the London 2012 Olympics. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825763 )

A general view of Oxford Street on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825864 )

A general view of Victoria station on May 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825884 )

A general view of Covent Garden on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825890 )

A general view of Covent Garden on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825905 )

A general view of Elizabeth street on April 30, 2012 in London, England. Shot in April 2012 ahead of the London 2012 Olympics. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825915 )

A general view of the underground on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825922 )

A general view of Chelsea on April 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825952 )

A menu is displayed outside a pub on May 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825972 )

Newspapers on a table at the Orange Restaurant on May 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825976 )

A general view of Covent Garden on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825986 )

A general view of Battersea Park on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173825998 )

A general view of Penny Lane on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173826014 )

A general view of Penny Lane on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173826035 )

A general view of Penny Lane on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173826054 )

A general view of Penny Lane on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173826082 )

A general view of Penny Lane on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173826104 )

A general view of Penny Lane on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173826126 )

A general view of Covent Garden on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173826138 )

A general view of Penny Lane on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173826149 )

A general view of Penny Lane on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173826174 )

A graffito is displayed on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173826190 )

A general view of Spitafield Market on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173826202 )

A general view of Penny Lane on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173826211 )

A general view of Penny Lane on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173826218 )

A graffito is displayed on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173826227 )

A general view of Battersea Park on May 3, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173858289 )

A cyclist is seen at Battersea Park on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173826233 )

A general view of buildings on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173826262 )

A general view of Chelsea Bridge on April 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830062 )

A general view of the 30 St Mary Axe on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830122 )

A general view of The Spice of Life on April 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830144 )

A general view of Heneage Street on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830181 )

A general view of Rough Trade shop on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830201 )

A general view of Oxford Street on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830663 )

The symbol of the underground on April 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830213 )

A general view of St.Gabriel's Church on April 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830226 )

A woman sits in a cafe on April 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830236 )

A general view of Trafalgar Square on April 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173858174 )

A general view of the underground on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830265 )

A woman is waiting for the tube on May 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830273 )

A general view of Oxford Street on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830489 )

A general view of the Woodin's Shades on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830507 )

A general view of Penny Lane on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830544 )

A bus on April 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830586 )

A general view of Covent Garden on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830614 )

A general view of St.Gabriel's Church on April 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830645 )

A general view of Penny Lane on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830672 )

A general view of Berkeley Square on May 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173856325 )

A general view of Berkeley Square on May 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173830681 )

A general view of Penny Lane district on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173858203 )

A general view of Berkeley Square on May 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173858167 )

A phone booth on May 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173858252 )

A general view of Penny Lane district on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173858210 )

A graffito is displayed on May 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173858271 )

A general view of Battersea Park on April 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) ( 173858280 )