Be part of 2012 - don't miss the bus!

Starting next week, the inspiring 2012 message will be taken to every corner of the UK, when a branded 2012 Roadshow bus visits towns and cities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its 3,000 mile journey begins in Trafalgar Square on 6 July, the first anniversary of London's dramatic success in Singapore last year. Its finale is in Liverpool on 27 July six years to the day before the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Games.

More than 50 locations will be visited by the bus, which will carry top names from London 2012, the Government and sport bringing with them the latest news on progress made in the last 12 months, as well as future plans.

Across the country the Roadshow will call in at a wide variety of locations, including major cities, 2012 venues and sporting events.

It will inform local people about preparations for 2012, what the Games can mean for them and how they can get involved. The Roadshow will also reinforce the message that the UK will be hosting not one, but two great events, the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games.

The Roadshow's programme across the UK will include events to remind businesses about the economic opportunities presented by the Games.

In addition there will be a strong focus on tourism benefits, the Cultural Olympiad which runs from 2008 to 2012, volunteering and the importance of diversity, to the preparations for and staging of the Games.

Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, will be accompanying the bus to several venues around the country. He comments:

"The great thing about the Olympic and Paralympic Games is that pretty much everyone wants to be involved in some way. The UK-wide Roadshow will help to ensure that regional cities and businesses feel part of the 2012 experience. It will provide them with the information about our plans and the opportunities to be part of the world's biggest sporting event."

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell will also be taking part in the Roadshow. She said:

"2012 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we have got to make sure everyone can see the benefits and feel part of this extraordinary event."

As part of the Roadshow, Tessa Jowell will be hosting an economic benefits conference in Leeds on 19 July, which 300 business representatives will attend. This will explore the wider economic benefits for the whole of the UK from the 2012 Games.

The Roadshow is being organised by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the London organising committee, in conjunction with the Olympic Delivery Authority, London 2012's Nations and Regions Group and the Greater London Authority. It is supported by the British Olympic Association, the British Paralympic Association, the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales and the Northern Ireland Office.

There will be extensive media and interview opportunities during the Roadshow. Detailed information about timings and VIP attendance will be available approximately one week before each event.


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Click here to link to the 2012 Roadshow outline itinerary


Notes to Editors

To discuss media opportunities during the Roadshow please contact:

London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Press Office
T. 0203 2012 100

Rowland Jack in the Press Office
T. 0203 2012 113
M. 07920 825 023