Seb Coe Launches London 2012 Open Weekend 2009
June 24, 2009
Hundreds of exciting events, from family sport days to circus skills and exploring hidden archives, are to be part of London 2012 Open Weekend (24 – 26 July 2009) – a series of events across the country enabling access to excellence in the arts, culture and sport and celebrating three years to go until the London 2012 Olympic Games.
London 2012 Open Weekend enables everyone to share in the excitement of the Games, be inspired, get involved, unleash creativity and try something new. Join the celebrations, plan your weekend: www.london2012.com/openweekend
The London 2012 Open Weekend, created by London 2012, is supported by BP, the Premier Partner of the Cultural Olympiad. London 2012 Open Weekend will take place every year in July.
Example events include Body in Action tours at the National Gallery, learning to sing on the Singing Bus in Belfast, carnival and public theatre in Wales, family dance workshops led by disabled and non-disabled dancers and sporting opportunities across the country. [National highlights below].
This year’s London 2012 Open Weekend follows the success of last year’s event which launched the Cultural Olympiad and enabled over 700,000 people to become part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe said: ”We’ve always been clear that London 2012 is about more than just sport, we want to create a Games for the Nation and Games that are accessible to everyone. We created Open Weekend as part of the Cultural Olympiad, to enable people to share in the countdown celebrations towards London 2012 but also be inspired by the Games to discover new interests and develop their talents.
“Open Weekend is part of our vision for the Games to inspire lasting change. The fantastic range of Open Weekend events provide opportunities for everyone to access excellence across sport, art and culture and try something new. The Games are thriving across the UK and we are grateful to the organisations that have partnered with us to make Open Weekend happen.”
Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said: “Open Weekend is a great way for people inspired by the Olympics to get involved and this year there is a wider range of activities than ever before. Whether you love culture or are sport mad there’s something for you to do in your region. This is just one way we are delivering a lasting legacy across the country from the 2012 Games.”
Peter Mather, Head of BP in the UK said: “BP is delighted to become the Premier Partner of the Cultural Olympiad. We have an excellent track record for supporting the arts in the UK and we want to help build further synergies between sports and the arts in the run up to the 2012 Games. We are already working closely with LOCOG on our plans as the official Tier 1 oil and gas partner and adding the cultural arm to these activities is something to which we are looking forward.”
Be inspired at London 2012 Open Weekend
Many events recognised through the London 2012 Inspire programme are also involved in Open Weekend. The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises exceptional mass participation projects and events inspired by London 2012 and contributing to its wider legacy. Example Inspire events taking place over the London 2012 Open Weekend include:
The Inspire programme and Open Weekend are examples of how London 2012 is enabling people and communities right across the UK to benefit from the Games, encouraging participation and recognising the contribution people, places and projects are making to the success of the 2012 Games.