02/08-07   -   Press releases

Champions and Hopefuls as 2012 Roadshow comes to Chester on 5 August

Come and enjoy an Olympic experience in the North West!

The North West gets a taste of 2012 excitement this weekend as the Olympics Roadshow comes to Chester on Sunday 5 August. The 2012 roadshow will be at Chester Town Hall square – and everyone is welcome!

Sporting celebrities including medal-winning, champion gymnast Beth Tweddle will be appearing alongside aspiring Olympians from Cheshire as part of a campaign by organisers of the London 2012 games to get more local people involved in sport.

Also appearing is fencing champion James Williams who has competed in no less than three Olympic games. Everyone is invited to try out a wide range of sports including judo, gymnastics, fencing and volleyball during a five-hour spectacular this Sunday, 5 August, outside Chester Town Hall . Find out more about how to get sporty - information on local clubs and facilities will also be available.

What´s your dream sport? A ´Dream Statistics´ zone from the National Lottery will provide visitors with statistics on height, weight and muscle strength and offer guidance on what sports they’re physically most suited to take up. In addition, sportsmen will be competing against each other in several activities and will be on hand to encourage and inspire visitors of all ages to get involved.

Encouraging more people to get involved with sport is one of the key legacy objectives of the 2012 games.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee commented: “London 2012 will be a Nationwide Games and the Roadshow is only the first part of our pledge to involve everyone the length and breadth of the UK towards, and including, 2012.

“We want to encourage young people to develop their sporting talents, to achieve something for themselves or to inspire others to unearth their own talents and visiting the London 2012 Roadshow is a great first step towards accomplishing this."
Andy Worthington, Chair of the Northwest Steering Group for the 2012 Games added: “The Olympic Games and Paralympic Games are the world’s greatest celebration of sport and cultural diversity and we want to provide people in the North West with the opportunity to connect with this experience and generate positive memories that will last a lifetime. We have no doubt that the 2012 Games is already providing a fantastic impetus to help inspire the 6.9 million people in the region to do something special for themselves and for others."

Stewart Kellett, Regional Director Sport England NW: “With the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games just five years away, events like the 2012 Roadshow have the potential to inspire the next generation of North West champions and encourage people in Chester, Cheshire and across the region to get involved in sport for life."

Local tourism Board Visit Chester & Cheshire has welcomed the initiative. Chief Executive Chris Brown said: “It’s great news that Chester has been chosen to host this regional event. This is an opportunity for people get a sense of the magic of the Olympic and Paralympic games and gain the benefits of getting more involved in sporting activity.

“ Cheshire ’s fantastic visitor attractions are less than two hours by train from London – we’ll be looking to help develop spin-off benefits from the tens of thousands of overseas visitors who will decide to travel around the UK as part of their Olympic adventure."

2012 Roadshow, Chester : WHAT´S ON

11am-12pm – Rowing:
2012 hopeful: World Under 23 Champion Olivia Whitlam, 22

11.30am: Official 2012/Lottery photo call with Beth Tweddle.

12.10pm -13.20pm- Fencing:
Coaching and demos by Liverpool & Chester Fencing Clubs. James Williams - three time Olympian, former British No. 1 and Commonwealth Gold Medallist.

13.30pm – 14.40pm – Volleyball:
Demos and taster sessions run by Chester and Ellesmere Port Eels.

14.30am – 15.30pm - Judo:
Demos and tasters by local coaches. Judo Champions and 2012 hopefuls.