Muse unveil official Olympic song

British rock band Muse have announced their new single Survival will be the official song for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Writing on their website , the Devon band said they were "excited" and "honoured" to have been chosen.

Frontman Matt Bellamy "wrote the song with the Olympics in mind".

The song, which premieres on Radio 1 later, will be played during the games when athletes enter the stadium and in the run-up to medal ceremonies.

Bellamy said the track "expresses a sense of conviction and determination to win".

Speaking on Radio 1's Zane Lowe show on Wednesday, Bellamy said he had been approached to write a song about the Olympics a year ago, but the project "went away".

"Then when we were asked to play the ending ceremony, the song had developed so we got the Olympic people in to hear it and they said they'd love to use it as the official tune," he said.

Survival will also be used by international broadcasters covering the games, and spearheads a programme of music called London 2012 Rock The Games.

Special singles from Elton John vs Pnau, Dizzee Rascal, The Chemical Brothers and Delphic will also be released during July and August.

More details are also due to be announced about a series of surprise live concerts at London 2012 venues, featuring Scissor Sisters, Rizzle Kicks and Sub Focus.

Last month, thousands of people turned out to see the rock band carry the Olympic flame through their home town of Teignmouth, on day two of the 70-day relay.

Since forming in 1994, Bellamy and bandmates Dominic Howard and Chris Wolstenholme have sold in excess of 15 million albums worldwide.

The band, best known for tracks such as Supermassive Black Hole, Uprising and Knights of Cydonia, release their forthcoming studio album The 2nd Law in September.

Muse announced earlier this month that they will play five UK arena dates in October as part of a European tour.

With a month to go until the London 2012 Games, organisers have also unveiled plans for other performances at Games venues.

They include leading dancers from the English National Ballet, award-winning street dance crews and cheerleaders.

Music will also be provided by military bands and DJs, while short films will be shown on games days, explaining the rules of upcoming events.

A "goodbye" video, featuring safety and travel advice, has also been filmed, with contributors including Simon Pegg, Daley Thompson and Dame Helen Mirren.