The leaders help unveil the new London 2012 Faith badge inside the Velodrome.The Archbishop of Canterbury and Dr Nathubhai Shah, President of the Jain Academy UK, were amongst the faith leaders and representatives who visited the Velodrome.
All nine faiths – Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, Bahia's, Jain, Buddhist and Zoroastrian – will be represented in the Multi-Faith Centre in the Olympic and Paralympic Village during the London 2012 Games. There will also be a chaplaincy service assisting around 17,000 athletes and officials, up to 200,000 staff and volunteers, and 20,000 members of the press.
The Archbishop of Canterbury said: ‘The Olympic site is a really impressive testimony to what can be achieved by a clear vision, working with sustainable materials and a long-term conviction about the common good.
'It is very encouraging to see how communities of faith are being drawn in to this great enterprise of celebration and regeneration.’
Legacy of inclusion
As part of their visit, the Faith leaders and representatives helped launch the Faith pin badge, the fifth badge created to celebrate London 2012’s six strands of diversity and engage all communities to support London 2012.
Paul Deighton, London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) Chief Executive, said: ‘The diversity of London and the rest of the UK was one of the reasons why London was chosen to host the Games and I am thrilled that representatives of all faiths had the opportunity to tour the Olympic Park and see the progress we have made.
‘The launch of the Faith pin badge demonstrates our commitment to leaving a legacy of greater inclusion and understanding of diversity long after the Games have finished.’
