The Rings will be installed on the iconic Tyne Bridge - one of the most recognisable panoramas in the UK. Made of aluminium they are approximately 25m wide by 12m high making them the largest set of metal Olympic Rings in the UK. Each Ring has a width of 720mm and will be 375mm in depth.
The Rings will officially be launched today, ready to provide a spectacular back drop to the arrival of the Olympic Flame. A celebratory Torch Relay event will take place in Newcastle on 15 June and will see thousands of people joining in with the celebrations as the Flame passes through Newcastle and Gateshead, in view of the Rings, that evening.
St James’ Park in Newcastle upon Tyne will play host to the London 2012 Olympic Football tournament. Six matches will take place in the grounds and tickets are available at www.tickets.london2012.com
Seb Coe, LOCOG Chair said: 'The Olympic Rings are an iconic symbol, inspiring athletes and uniting people around the world. To athletes they represent the culmination of thousands of hours of training and reaching the highest level in sport. These Rings will excite and inspire residents and visitors to Newcastle and Gateshead.’
Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Nick Forbes said: ‘This is a wonderful opportunity for people in Newcastle to be part of the excitement and spectacle of the London 2012 Olympic Games and it is great that we can bring the Olympic Rings, the enduring symbol of the Games, into the heart of our city.
The Torch relay is one special event in a spectacular summer of activities including the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the Olympic Football tournament which will inspire and enthral and I urge everyone to make the most of this experience of a lifetime.
Leader of Gateshead Council, Cllr Mick Henry said: ‘With our national reputation for world class sport and a stunning backdrop, I’m sure that the crowds will give a warm North East welcome to the Olympics and this iconic symbol on the Tyne Bridge.’
Sarah Stewart, chief executive of destination management and marketing agency NewcastleGateshead Initiative said: ‘It’s a real coup to have the largest Olympics Rings in the country here in Newcastle and Gateshead. The region is already involved in so many aspects of the London 2012 Olympic Games, from the construction of the Olympic Stadium to hosting men’s and women’s football at St James’ Park, so it will be fantastic to see the Rings on the Tyne Bridge.
‘Images of the region will be beamed all over the world during the London 2012 Olympics so this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase the destination to an audience of millions and provide a legacy for tourism beyond summer 2012. Not only will Newcastle and Gateshead benefit from the unprecedented international profile, but will also share in the estimated £2.1bn due to be injected into the national economy from tourists visiting the London 2012 Games.’
The Olympic Rings are one of the world’s most recognisable logos. The five rings – coloured blue, yellow, black, green and red – represent the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games.
Giant sets of Olympic Rings are being installed at iconic sites across the United Kingdom to excite and inspire people ahead of the Games and to demonstrate that we are ready to welcome the world.
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Notes to editors:
For media enquiries contact:
Nicky Harrison
PR for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in North East England and the Host City of Newcastle Upon Tyne
T. +44 (0)191 440 5741
M. +44 (0)7824 390826
For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100 or visit the website at www.london2012.com.
Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog http://www.london2012.com/blog , follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/london2012 or download the Official London 2012 Join In app.
The Official London 2012 Join In app is a free mobile guide to help you plan, enjoy and share your Games experience. From the Olympic Torch Relay to the Olympics and Paralympics, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, plus all the cultural, city and community celebrations happening across the UK, the Official London 2012 Join In App is your essential companion. It is available now at app stores and at http://www.london2012.com/mobileapps/
London 2012 Games partners:
The Worldwide Olympic Partners who support the London 2012 Olympic Games and the National Olympic Committees around the world are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos, Dow, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Procter and Gamble, Samsung and Visa.
LOCOG has seven domestic Tier One Partners - adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. There are seven domestic Tier Two Supporters – Adecco, ArcelorMittal, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte, Thomas Cook and UPS. There are now twenty-eight domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers – Aggreko, Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, CBS Outdoor, Crystal CG, Eurostar, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, G4S, GSK, Gymnova, Heathrow Airport, Heineken UK, Holiday Inn, John Lewis, McCann Worldgroup, Mondo, NATURE VALLEY, Next, Nielsen, Populous, Rapiscan Systems, Rio Tinto, Technogym, Thames Water, Ticketmaster, Trebor and Westfield.
There is one domestic Tier One Paralympic Games-only Partner, Sainsbury’s and two domestic Tier Three Paralympic Games-only Suppliers, Otto Bock and Panasonic. The London 2012 Paralympic Games also acknowledges the support of the National Lottery.
