Press

6 August 2008

Greenwich raises its voice to celebrate becoming a 2012 borough

Thousands of Greenwich residents and visitors are expected at The O2 at Greenwich Peninsula on Sunday 24 August 2008 (1pm-4pm), to join in a coordinated singalong across the UK, as London marks the moment when it officially becomes a summer Olympic Host City.

The mass singalong and sports day will form part of Greenwich’s celebrations to coincide with the handover of the Olympic flag to the Mayor of London in a prestigious ceremony in Beijing. This will be one of the most historic dates for sport in London as the capital gets ready to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

It will also mark the moment when Greenwich officially becomes a host borough for the 2012 Games.

Greenwich Council and The O2 are hosting a free family fun and sports day to celebrate this momentous occasion.
Events taking place include:

  • jazz and samba band accompanied by carnival dancers with stunning carnival customs
  • roaming artists, giant puppets, Chinese acrobats and other street entertainers
  • football shooting competition run by Charlton Athletic
  • gymnastics display
  • demonstrations by local sports clubs: Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Fencing
  • health and fitness information stands

The audience will be able to watch on a giant screen as the Olympic Flag passes from the Mayor of Beijing to the Mayor of London in the Olympic Stadium in Beijing.

In Greenwich, Mayor of Greenwich, Cllr Steve Offord and Cllr John Fahy, Cabinet Member for Culture and Olympics, will unfurl Greenwich’s ‘Host Borough’ Olympic flag.

Participants at The O2 will then be invited to raise their voices and take part in Sing the Nation – a nationwide festival to get us all singing.

Cllr Fahy said, “It’s three years since London celebrated the award of the 2012 Games. Now as the Olympic flag is handed over to London, Greenwich can take pride in becoming an official Host Borough for the 2012 Games.

“This is a momentous day for Greenwich and for London, and I look forward to welcoming local people to The O2 for the free fun throughout the afternoon.”

Details:
1.00pm-4.00pm
Sunday 24 August
London Piazza, The O2, Greenwich
Admission free.

For more details call Greenwich Council on 020 8921 6191.

ENDS

 

© 2008 Sing London