Some of the UK’s best young athletes will compete in the Olympic Stadium, race around the Velodrome and swim at the Aquatics Centre today as the Olympic Park hosts the final day of the Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games.
Backed by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, the Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games is a multi-sport event for 1,600 elite young athletes.
Over the last three days competition has taken place in badminton, fencing, gymnastics, hockey, judo, road cycling, rugby 7s, table tennis, volleyball and wheelchair basketball in London venues, with some outstanding performances.
Today, attention turns to the Olympic Park with competition in athletics, track cycling and swimming. Six of the sports at the Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games include disability competition.
Up to 35,000 tickets for spectators have been allocated for the event today, with more than 400 school groups from across the country expected to travel to London to watch the action.
Following the competition a spectacular closing ceremony will take place at the Basketball Arena on the Olympic Park which will include performances from Chart toppers Cover Drive and gymnastic troupe Spelbound.
Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt said: “I’m sure all the School Games finalists will find it incredible to be competing at the Olympic Park just weeks before the world’s most talented athletes arrive here for the London 2012 Games. It’s very exciting and I hope they all have a brilliant time.”
Jennie Price, Chief Executive of Sport England, added: “Competing in the Olympic Park ahead of this year’s Games is an amazing opportunity for these talented young athletes.
“Their performances and those of the London 2012 athletes will help us build a lasting legacy and inspire a generation to create a sporting habit for life.”
The Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games finals event in May is one part of the wider year round School Games initiative, which uses the inspiration of London’s Olympics and Paralympics to transform competitive sport in schools and get more people playing sport.
Thousands of schools across the country have signed up to take part in local class versus class and school versus school competitions along with county wide sports festivals.
To find out more about the Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games visit www.2012schoolgames.com.
Sportsister,
The Women’s Sports Magazine
