The 2012 Olympic Games don’t begin until July 27, but there is already plenty of London news over at WECT’s 2012 Olympics page.

Our Olympic Zone page highlights athletes with connections to North Carolina and features exclusive video and slideshows.

You can also relive the 2008 summer games that Michael Phelps dominated, read about the top five U.S. newcomers, meet the Olympic pets and find out what happened to legends after their big games.

WECT’s 2012 Olympics page will be buzzing throughout the games, so make sure you check it out!

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – A groundbreaking ceremony will be held Friday for the construction of a baseball field and playground, according to a spokesperson for the City of Wilmington.

The event will be held at Olsen Park, located at 5510 Olsen Park Lane at 2:30 p.m.

Miracle Field, funded by private donations, donations from local contractors and a grant from the city and county parks bond, is specially-designed with a rubber surface, inlaid bases and more that makes it easier for disabled users to use the field. It is intended to be used by groups such as the Special Olympics and the Wounded Warrior Project.

Additionally, the local Kiwanis Club donated $75,000 for the nearby playground.

Funding for 90 percent of the $1.2 million goal for the field has been reached.

Construction is expected to finished by early 2013. For more information on the field, visit miracleleaguewilm.org.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – More than $250,000 of a $1.56 million grant from the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund will be distributed to New Hanover County, according to a news release from Governor Bev Perdue.

The County will use $287,817 to buy land for Castle Hayne Park.

Grants were also awarded to the City of Wilmington for the Cross City Trail ($219,308) and Brunswick County for Town Creek Park work ($359,354).

“Creating new jobs has been one of my top priorities,” Perdue stated via the news release. “These grants put people back to work building new parks and new facilities. They also enhance our state’s quality of life by creating recreational opportunities and protecting significant open spaces. CEOs consistently rank North Carolina one of the nation’s best places for doing business because of our state’s excellent quality of life.”

Since 1995, the Parks and Recreation Authority has reportedly awarded 696 grants worth $156 million.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.