London 2012 Roadshow arrives in Middlesbrough

The theme of this year's Roadshow is 'Join In', aiming to encourage everyone – particularly young people – to be inspired by sport with a long-term aim of increasing their participation in the run up to 2012, creating a lasting legacy for the UK.

The Roadshow will feature a display area where visitors can watch and take part in sporting activities from Sport England, including pole vaulting, high jump, gymnastics and table tennis. Children and adults alike will be given the chance to find out what sport works best for them and will also be able to learn about all the sporting opportunities available through the range of clubs and facilities that exist in the North East. On board the Roadshow bus, visitors can access the new 2012 Challenge website www.london2012.com, set their own challenge and be inspired by the Olympic Games to achieve it.

Visitors can join Chris Tomlinson in The National Lottery Dream Stats Zone to find out what it takes to be a sporting champion and how to get more involved with sport. The Zone offers people the chance to try out the Dream Stats calculator – by answering a few simple questions, the online application matches their physical attributes and personal preferences to show what sports most suit them. Visitors can also assess their sporting aptitude for real, by taking a series of fun physical tests, with Chris Tomlinson on-hand to offer advice and encouragement.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee commented: "London 2012 will be a UK-wide 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.

"I am delighted that the Roadshow is able to visit Middlesbrough to demonstrate first hand how this is being undertaken and get the local community involved. We want to encourage young people to develop their sporting ability, to achieve something for themselves or to inspire others to unearth their own talents. Visiting the London 2012 Roadshow is a great first step to accomplishing this."

Tessa Jowell, Olympics Minister, said: "I am determined to ensure that these will be a Games for the whole UK. That is why we are staging the second nationwide Roadshow to take 2012's message and inspiration to every corner of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

"Last year the focus was on 'being part' of the 2012 experience. This year it is on the big Olympic and Paralympic ambition – motivating people to take part in sport.

"Winning the right to host the Games has given us an extraordinary opportunity to transform sport in the UK – providing the inspiration, facilities and environment to radically increase participation, for both the able-bodied and those with disabilities."

A National Lottery spokesperson said: "There has never been a better time to be inspired to get involved in sport, and the National Lottery Dream Stats Zone will offer people the opportunity to find out just what sport they might be suited to, via an exciting interactive programme. They can even take a number of fun physical tests aimed at further assessing their aptitude for a particular sport. The National Lottery is playing a major role in funding the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, and the Roadshow represents a great opportunity to highlight this and thank Lottery players for their fantastic contribution."

Judith Rasmussen, regional director with Sport England North East, said: "Active Middlesbrough Day is a great event for the Roadshow to visit as the day's activities really champion this year's goal to encourage people to take up sport in a fun and supportive environment. We're really pleased the Roadshow is to visit our region once again as we plan and look forward to the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games – an event that is inspiring so many people to take up sport professionally or just for fun."

Middlesbrough Councillor Barry Coppinger, Executive Member for Community Safety and Leisure said: "This is a marvellous occasion for the town and a great way to open our Festival of Sport. Active Middlesbrough Day will help everyone to realise that sport is for them and having the Roadshow in town will really get that message across. The health benefits of sport are widely known but the message from this day will be that it's fun too!"

Stacy Hall, One NorthEast Director of Communications and Tourism, said: "The 2012 Roadshows are a fantastic opportunity to showcase our region's sporting talent and reaffirm that the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be inclusive events, in which the whole of the UK can share and benefit from."

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For more information please contact: Sian Brenchley, Roadshow Press Officer on 0203 2012 251, Mob: 07824 491 554 sian.brenchley@london2012.com

Notes to Editors:

• On most occasions, the Roadshow is being hosted by existing public events for which an admission charge may be made. A small number of events, for instance children's sports festivals, may not offer admission to the general public.
• The first 2012 Roadshow in July 2006 visited 65 locations, travelling 3,355 miles over a three week period. Further details can be found at http://www.london2012.org/en/gettinginvolved/2012+Roadshow/
• National Lottery funding will contribute up to £2.2 billion* towards the cost of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympics Games. £750 million of Good Causes money raised by sales of designated lottery games, such as the draw-based game Dream Number and certain Scratchcards and interactive games, will go towards funding the provision of facilities and supporting infrastructure of the 2012 Games. For more information contact Liz Parker on 020 7632 5746 / 07866 450 287 liz.parker@camelotgroup.co.uk *Subject to Parliamentary approval
• Sport England exists to sustain and increase participation in community sport. It is a non-departmental public body and Lottery distributor. Our ambition is to get two million people participating more in sport by 2012. We do this by promoting, advising and investing in community sport. For more information contact Alex Russell on 020 7273 1866.

Upcoming Roadshow events in July:

6 – 7
London
Grand Depart of Tour de France


8
East of England
Suffolk Youth Games


10
Wales
Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod


13 – 14
South East
Kent Show


15
London
Rise Festival, Finsbury Park


19
North East
Northumberland Street Games


23 – 24
Wales
Royal Welsh Show, Builth Wells


27
London
Special event to mark five years to 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, Waltham Forest


For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100

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