London's 2012 Games will be the first Olympics to be broadcast live in 3D, Panasonic announced today.

Manolo Romero, the firm's director of Olympic Broadcasting Services, said there were a pool of global broadcasters is being brought on board to make it happen.  So far, 14 have agreed and others might sign up. More than 40 venues will be filmed using the technology.  These include the opening and closing ceremonies and more than 12 sports, some of which will be covered in 3D for the first time.

For the on-site production Panasonic will provide 3D equipment including camcorders, TV monitors and a technical team for live 3D TV production at London 2012. It is a tie-up between Panasonic, a worldwide Olympic sponsor, the Olympic Broadcasting Services and the International Olympic Committee.

The Beijing 2008 Olympics was the first made in HD.