Golden girl joins London 2012 babies

Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis is helping mark the occasion by meeting some of the 'Children's Promise' babies whose parents registered their birthday last year on 2012 Day (20 December 2004).

As part of the 'Children's Promise', London 2012 pledged to give every baby born on that day the chance to play a role in the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012, should the bid be successful.

Now that the London Olympic dream is a reality, over 300 babies who were registered to take part, are assured of a role in the Games.

Denise, who won heptathlon gold at the Sydney Games in 2000 and is now pregnant herself, met Abigail, Louis, Ian, Polly Anna and Benjamin today to mark the occasion of their first birthday. These lucky babies will play a role in the London 2012 opening ceremonies, closing ceremonies, team welcome ceremonies or a wide range of events that will light up London's parks, squares and cultural venues across the Capital.

London 2012 Bid Chairman Sebastian Coe said: "It's been a fantastic year for us with the Olympic win and what better way to finish off than celebrating the fact that these babies will be playing a major role in the London 2012 Games.

"Our Games will be a blueprint for the next generation. A Games that will inspire, excite and engage children across the world, by the very people who will compete in them, who will volunteer for them, who will watch them and whose lives will be transformed by them.

"The Games are a once in a lifetime opportunity for us all and 'Children's Promise' has made it extra special for the children and families who can get involved."

Parents of children born on December 20 last year (2004) who still wish to register can do so at http://www.netcoms.com/london2012cp/ by the 31st December 2005. All registered parents will receive an official London 2012 scroll to commemorate the occasion.

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For further information contact:
Jo Atkinson: 020 7973 5965 / mbl / 07748 778138 jatkinson@hillandknowlton.com
Steve Bradley: 020 7413 3179 / mbl / 07771 776568 sbradley@hillandknowlton.com