Sir Mick Jagger today spoke for the first time about his passion for the Olympics - inspired by his late father's lifetime dedication to sport.
The rock legend revealed that his family has a historic link to the Olympics because his father Joe was a judge at the 1948 London Games.
Jagger will attend his third Olympics next year after going to Montreal in 1976 and the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.
He told the Standard: "My father took me to track and field meetings, and athletics has always remained my favourite at the Olympics.
"I follow the meetings on TV and will be in the Olympic Stadium next year. I love the boxing too because you get to see more bouts and young talent. You don't get the rest of the stuff with big-time boxing, with all the build-up and the bullshit."
The Rolling Stone's heroes are sprinter Usain Bolt and British 5000m world champion Mo Farah. He admits he will feel nervous for the host nation's athletes.
"It's awful being at home for a lot of them because they are so pumped up with expectations. Somehow it is too much pressure. It would be terrible if we didn't win a medal."
He told with pride how Joe Jagger was an official for an Olympic canoeing event on the Thames at Henley. Jagger snr, who died aged 93 in 2006, dedicated a lifetime to sport as a government adviser, television presenter and author.
Sir Mick, who was four at the time of the "Austerity Games", said: "My father told me he really wanted to get into the canoe slalom event for Britain's team.
"He didn't make the squad but still wanted to be there. So he pitched in and did some judging. We were proud of him being in the event. It was after the war and I think it cheered everyone up."
His father received an official judge's ribbon to pin on his blue blazer, which remains a cherished Jagger heirloom.
Sir Mick backed the London 2012 bid - despite fearing it had "no hope" - by lending his name to a line-up of cultural ambassadors including Sir Elton John.
But he has not been approached by opening ceremony supremo Danny Boyle and it seems unlikely he will perform at the curtain-raise. Jagger, whose band will mark its 50th anniversary next year, admitted he has been put off by London 2012's widely mocked handover ceremony at the Beijing Games featuring Jimmy Page and Leona Lewis performing on the back of London bus.
