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The number of articles that mention the London Olympics jumped by 80 per cent from 6,305 in 2010 to 11,305 in 2011, according to data from Precise. 

Similarly, the number of stories with London 2012 in the headline doubled year on year between 2010 and 2011 reaching 1,651 instances in the UK national press.

The level of overall coverage in 2011 was more than four times higher than in 2005 and was accompanied by an increased variety of issues covered.

The research also analysed sentiment in articles that mentioned Olympics 2012 in the headline or opening paragraph.

All coverage in the years from 2006 was, on balance, negative in terms of sentiment with the exception of 2010 when 60 per cent of the articles analysed were deemed as positive. Last year, fewer than half of all articles were considered to be positive.

News stories related to job creation, gains from redevelopment of the Olympic Village and surrounding areas, the completion of facilities on time and a £16 million drop in the Olympics bill were deemed positive, but security issues and safety concerns and the widespread discontent felt after the ticket allocation system was completed, reportedly resulting in 55 per cent of applicants missing out, generated negative coverage.

Criticism over the total cost of the Olympics and Dow Chemical's sponsorship of the stadium were also drivers of negative sentiment towards the end of the year.

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