London 2012 Roadshow arrives in Manchester

The Roadshow is touring the UK and visiting 27 stops over a ten-week tour in a specially branded 2012 double decker bus.

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 from Sport England, including Hockey, Athletics, Boxing and Taekwondo.

As well as the wide range of demonstration and participative activities, Sport England are 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 Manchester 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.'

Stewart Kellett, Regional Director of Sport England said: 'The London 2012 Roadshow will create an opportunity for all those visiting the European Hockey Championships to connect with the world’s greatest celebration of sport and cultural diversity, support our sporting stars and try new activities. At Sport England, our ambition is to get two million people participating more in sport by 2012. If we can do this, we will deliver a sporting legacy the nation can be proud of.'