Published on:
19
August 2008
Clackmannanshire is preparing to play its part in a nationwide flag raising ceremony to celebrate the moment when London becomes the official Olympic Games Host City on Sunday 24th August.
To celebrate the handing over of the Olympics from China to the UK, each county has been invited to stage a ceremony. This is a first in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the iconic London Olympic Handover Flag will be raised in Alloa simultaneously with regions around the UK.
Four of Clackmannanshire's top sportsmen, potential 2012 Olympians, will join Councillor Bobby McGill to raise the Olympic Handover Flag for the county at 2.30pm. The ceremony will take place at Greenfield House, Alloa.
The local athletes taking part in the ceremony are:
Blairlogie 17-year-old Christopher Chalk, a member of Alloa Gymnastic Club and Falkirk Boys Gymnastics Club. Chris, a pupil at Alva Academy, is Scotland's junior gymnastics champion and hopes to follow in the footsteps of club member Steve Frew who was crowned Commonwealth champion on the rings in Manchester in 2002. He started gymnastics as a five year old and works incredibly hard to perfect the diverse and complex demands of six separate pieces of the Men's Artistic competition. He has been selected to represent Scotland at the UK School Games in Bath which take place from 28th to 31st August 2008 and will also compete at the British Championships in November.
Swimmer Stuart Greig who has a promising future in his sport having recently returned from the Olympic Trials in Sheffield with two lifetime bests in both the 200m freestyle and the 100m butterfly. Stuart (19) is from Tullibody and is a member of the Stirling Club having previously trained with Alloa Swimming Club. A former pupil of St Modan's High School, he has been supported by Central Scotland Institute for Sport for the past four years giving him access to quality training facilities, individually tailored coaching programmes delivered by experienced coaches and a fully integrated strength and conditioning programme.
Alloa's Kevin Bryce and Grant Gilchrist, two of the area's most exciting rugby talents. Kevin was a member of the Scotland squad which competed in the Under 19 World Cup in Belfast last year. He was selected just weeks after returning from a lengthy spell of rehabilitation having had knee surgery and became captain after Fraser McKenzie was injured. Kevin is the son of Stirling County coach Jocky Bryce. Both Grant and Kevin have been inducted into the Caledonia Academy and Central Scotland Institute of Sport. Kevin is Stirling County's No.7 Flanker and is studying a plumbing apprenticeship at Forth Valley College. He spent last summer in New Zealand having won the Macphail Scholarship. Grant helped Stirling County's under 18 side win the John Lewis Cup Final earlier this season. Grant is a 6'8 second row and is currently studying at Forth Valley College and completing an apprenticeship at BP as a chemical engineer. Both share the ambition to play for Scotland's senior team.
The Olympic Handover Flag in Alloa will be one of over 500 flags delivered to locations including HM Armed Forces, embassies around the world, City Halls, British Council offices and Foreign and Commonwealth offices.
Clackmannanshire Council is an active partner in the Central Scotland Institute of Sport and Councillor McGill is on CSIS's executive committee as well as being one of Clackmannanshire Council's representatives on Clackmannanshire Sports Council. He said: "Research shows that home nations always increase their medal haul at major sporting events thanks to the combination of a home crowd cheering you on and a familiarity with the facilities. With so many major sporting events taking place in Britain over the next few years it's a fantastic opportunity for Clackmannanshire's many talented young athletes to raise their game and compete to their full potential with the extra boost of having the crowd behind them. It's an opportunity the Council and our partners will be taking full advantage of."
Forthcoming events include:
International Children's Games in 2011 in Lanarkshire - 2000 young athletes aged between 12 and 15 from more than 70 countries compete in what has become known as the 'mini Olympics'.
Commonwealth Youth Games 2011 on the Isle of Man - Over 1000 athletes aged 18 and under from more than 70 countries competing in nine sports.
London Olympics and Paralympics in 2012 - 26 Olympic sports in 34 venues with 10,500 Olympic athletes and 20 Paralympic sports in 21 venues with 4,200 Paralympic athletes.
Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 - Over 6000 athletes and officials will flood into the friendly city for the friendly games to compete in 17 sports.
Amongst the locations in the UK, Olympic Handover Flags will be raised at landmark areas such as the Unst in the Shetland Isles, the most northerly point in the UK and Land's End in Cornwall, the most southerly point. Flags will also be raised at Lowestoft, the most easterly town in England and the Isles of Scilly, the most westerly point.
Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee, Sebastian Coe said: "When the Mayor of London accepts the Olympic Flag on 24th August, the eyes of the world will turn to London and the UK as the next Summer Host City. It is a very important and exciting moment for us, and we want as many people as possible to join in the Handover celebrations. We are delighted that so many local authorities share our excitement and are proudly displaying the Olympic Handover Flag to mark this very special moment on our journey to 2012."
Councillor Chris White, Chair of the LGA's Culture, Tourism and Sport board, said: "While the Olympic Games in 2012 are happening in London, it's clear there's strong support for them throughout the length and breadth of the country. More than 400 councils have arranged parties and flag-raising events for August 24th to mark the start of an exciting four years. Authorities are already investing in sports facilities and promoting healthier living to ensure the legacy of the Olympic Games will be long-lasting. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for every part of the country to enjoy a boom in business, tourism and sporting excellence, and councils are ready to seize the opportunity."
For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on 0203 2012 100 or visit the website at www.london2012.com