Sebastian Coe, chair of the London 2012 Organizing Committee (LOCOG), announced a $75.3 million program of arts and culture in connection with the 2012 Olympics. (Sang Tan/Associated Press)

Some 500 events, including a Shakespeare festival and a light show at Windsor Castle, will comprise a four-year program announced Thursday of cultural shows and products planned for the run-up to London's 2012 Olympic Games.

Billing it as a "Cultural Olympiad," officials from the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) announced an ambitious proposal to highlight the country's arts and culture. The announcement comes just 11 days after the end of the Beijing Olympics.

"The Cultural Olympiad will leave a legacy of cultural engagement in communities across our country," Sebastian Coe, former British distance runner turned Conservative politician, said Thursday.

Coe, chair of the LOCOG, was a gold medallist in the 1,500 metres in the 1980 and 1984 Games.

Organizers of the Cultural Olympiad will also produce the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the many local events being created across the country. The budget for the cultural events is expected to cost the equivalent of about $75.3 million Cdn.

One of the things being produced include the illumination of Blackpool Tower, a famous observation tower in northwest England, in pink, blue, orange and green — the colours chosen for the 2012 Games — on Sept. 26, marking the start of the cultural program.

Coe will also participate in the launch by donning a pair of running shoes. The 51-year-old politician will join a group of runners who have been recruited for artist Martin Creed's Work No. 850 at Tate Britain. Since July, runners have been racing through the museum at intervals as part of Creed's piece.

As well, 12 new public works of art — described by the organizing committee as "cutting-edge commissions" — are planned, as is a National Singing Day.

Other projects include Film Nation, a digital film competition for young people, and Unlimited, a celebration of arts, culture and sport involving people with disabilities.

The program will culminate in 2012 with a World Cultural Festival, with contributions from all areas of the arts from participating countries.

"We want to welcome great artists of the world to take part," said Jude Kelly, chair of culture, ceremonies and education for the organizing committee.