YOUR CHANCE TO COMPETE IN THE OLYMPIC STADIUM AND HELP LONDON 2012 PREPARE FOR THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH
Gold Challenge, one of the official London 2012 legacy projects, has today (2nd November 2011) been confirmed by the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) as the host of a key test event in the Olympic Stadium for 20,000 on Sunday 1st April 2012. The Gold Challenge event will be supported by Team GB.
Gold Challenge is partnered with Team GB / British Olympic Association and Sport England as part of the official Places People Play sporting legacy programme and is the UK’s first Olympic and Paralympic sport based charity challenge
The Gold Challenge event will offer the opportunity of a lifetime for members of the public to run the 100m or the 4 x 100m in the Olympic Stadium watched by friends, family and a cheering crowd of 20,000. They will be among the first people in the world to run the 100m on the track that will see the stars of Team GB and ParalympicsGB compete against world class Olympic and Paralympic athletes in the summer of 2012.
Team GB legends, celebrity ambassadors and representatives from over 150 UK charity partners will come together to recognise the extraordinary achievements of people taking part in Gold Challenge. Several thousand children and adults will be able to take part in a Gold Challenge Parade as well as other opportunities on the track and all 20,000 attendees will play their unique role in helping London 2012 prepare to put on the greatest show on earth. The event will culminate in a number of celebrity and athlete races and an exciting and colourful show.
The Gold Challenge and Team GB event will be a unique thank you to people who have been inspired by London 2012 to get active and raise money for one of Gold Challenge’s 150 charity partners. It will also mark an important step for the Olympic Stadium as the venue prepares for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Gold Challenge event will be one of the key events that will take place in the Olympic Stadium to test crucial aspects of the venue and operations ahead of the Games.
To take part in the Gold Challenge Stadium event participants should go towww.goldchallenge.org pick their sporting challenge and charity and register for free.
The highest fundraisers in various categories as at 29.02.2012 will compete in the Stadium and be able to join in the Gold Challenge Ceremony. Some places for Gold Challenge participants will also be made available by ballot and there will a number of places for schools. Tickets for the event will also go on sale in early 2012.
Everyone attending the event will become part of “Our Greatest Team,” Team GB’s London 2012 campaign. Our Greatest Team will be 550 athletes, 60 million strong.
Lord Coe, LOCOG Chairman said, “We are delighted that Gold Challenge is hosting this event and giving LOCOG the opportunity to test the Olympic Stadium ahead of July 2012. It is a fitting way to say thank you to those who have been inspired by the Games to get active and also raise money for charity.”
Dan Thompson, Gold Challenge Executive Chairman and Founder said, “I am thrilled that Gold Challenge is hosting this important event in the lead up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. What greater inspiration to take up a challenge and raise money for charity than a chance to go to the Olympic Stadium.”
Sport England’s Chair, Richard Lewis, said: “We’re proud to be working with Gold Challenge to motivate people to get involved in sport. The chance to run in the Olympic Stadium will be both a powerful incentive to take up a challenge and a great reward for everyone who has raised money for charity through Gold Challenge.”
Andy Hunt, Team GB Chef de Mission and British Olympic Association CEO said, “We are delighted to partner Gold Challenge to give members of the public this fantastic opportunity and thank them for trying new sports and fundraising. London 2012 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Team GB and everyone participating in this event can play their part by joining Our Greatest Team and giving British athletes their full support.”
Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and the Olympics said: “I’m pleased that Gold Challenge has been selected as a test event ahead of London 2012. What greater incentive for people to get involved than an opportunity to run on the track in the iconic Olympic Stadium for charity.”
For further information please contact Sarah Forbes, Director Gold Challenge [email protected] or 07811 265 034 or Laura Voyle, LOCOG Press team on 0203 201 2100
Gold Challenge Participant Quotes:
Joe Healey raising money for Cancer Research said “It’s really great to get involved in the Gold Challenge. The whole Olympic movement has inspired me to challenge myself, and enter multiple events to try to help reach my goal of raising £5000 for Cancer Research”.
Susannah Gill raising money for Prostate Cancer said: "It's really great to be involved in the Gold Challenge at a time when everyone in the country is getting excited about the Olympics. It really makes you feel you're part of the Olympic movement while raising money for good causes!"
Emily Oulton (12) and Joseph Oulton (10) raising money for WWF said: “We are so excited about the Olympic Games coming to London and are talking about it a lot at school. We are really enjoying doing Gold Challenge with our family and at the same time helping to save endangered animals”
Gold Challenge (www.goldchallenge.org)
Gold Challenge is an independent social enterprise and works with the British Olympic Association, Sport England, sportscotland, Sport Wales, ParalympicsGB and the National Governing Bodies of the Olympic and Paralympic sports.
It is part of ‘Places People Play’, the official mass participation legacy programme for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
By the end of 2012, Gold Challenge aims to have encouraged 100,000 people to complete personal sporting challenges, raising £20 million for charity in the process.
More than 150 charities are Gold Challenge partners including Golden charity partners Scope, Right to Play, NSPCC, Cancer Research UK and Oxfam. Anyone participating in Gold Challenge can fundraise for any one of the 150 partner charities.
A comprehensive testing programme will form a key part of LOCOG’s preparations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games as part of the 'London Prepares' series. The Gold Challenge event will be one of three test events in the Olympic Stadium.
At London 2012 Team GB will consist of 550 athletes competing in all 26 sports on the Olympic Programme. There is no other sporting competition where Great Britain and Northern Ireland fields such a large, diverse and talented team to represent our nation. Everyone in the UK can play their part. With the passionate support of the nation behind them, Our Greatest Team will be 550 athletes, 60 million strong.