London 2012 Roadshow arrives in Coventry

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. On board the Roadshow bus, visitors can access the 2012 Challenge website www.london2012.com, set their own challenge and be inspired by the Games to achieve it.

The Roadshow features a demonstration area, where visitors can take part in ‘taster’ sporting activities including Football, Tennis, Boccia and Rowing. As well as the wide range of demonstration and participative activities, Sport England is also on hand to provide details of clubs in the local area where visitors can continue to participate.

Visitors can also join in at 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.

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.

'I am delighted that the Roadshow is able to visit Coventry 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: 'It's incredibly exciting to see the country's top young sporting talent competing against each other - and to work out which ones we might see on the medal rostrum in 2012. I wish all the competitors the very best of luck.

'Today's not just about our elite talent, though. The London 2012 Roadshow is visiting every region of the UK and is here today to encourage people of all ages and abilities to 'Join In' and take part in sport. We're asking people to make a 2012-inspired commitment, such as doing more sport or helping out in their communities.

'Today I'm pledging to use London 2012 to transform sport in Britain and encourage everyone to lead healthier, more active lives.'

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.'

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For more information please contact:

Sian Brenchley, Roadshow Press Officer on 0203 2012 251 / 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. Read further details

- 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.

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