Olympic organisers have announced that the London Philharmonic Orchestra has secured a deal to record the 205 national anthems for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The contract was awarded by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), with arrangements to be made by composer Philip Sheppard. Under the agreement, the London Philharmonic Orchestra will record the anthems needed for the medal ceremonies and the team welcome ceremonies at the Games.

LOCOG chair Sebastian Coe said: "The playing of anthems at victory ceremonies is one of the most emotive parts of any Games."