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Date: 21st August 2008

Wigan and Leigh raise the flag for London 2012

NOW for London 2012!

Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust will celebrate the official handover of the Olympic flag from Beijing to London by opening its doors for free.

On Sunday 24 August a range of free activities across Wigan and Leigh’s Active Life centres will take place to mark the countdown to the next Olympic Games.
Residents will be able to enjoy a raft of activities including tennis, badminton, squash and table tennis.

Free swimming will be available throughout the day at the borough’s pools while Wigan and Leigh folk will be able to try out a range of exercise classes, taster sessions and try a free induction at a Profiles gym.

But if all that leaves you breathless, don’t worry.

There’s a chance to take a breather at Leigh Indoor Sports Centre and the Champions Bar at Robin Park Sports and Tennis Centre, Wigan to watch the official handover scheduled for 2.45pm.

It’s all part of Wigan and Leigh’s bid to “raise the flag” for London 2012.

As the countdown commences Wigan will hold its own Cultural Olympiad programme.

Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Movement mirrored the classical Greeks in maintaining that the purpose of the Games was to celebrate mind, body and spirit. And that’s exactly what will happen in Wigan during the next four years as we celebrate everything cultural and sporty.

Martin Eden, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s executive director for Sport and Healthy Living said: “Wigan’s Cultural Olympiad is about inspiring people to think differently about the Olympics. That it is as much a cultural event as a sporting one.

“But it is also about engaging the community in events leading up to 2012 and making them feel a part of it.”

Special London 2012 flags will be flown at the Robin Park Arena, Wigan and Leigh Sports Village both of which are included in the Pre-Games Training Camp Guide.

Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust will work with partners at Wigan Council on the official Cultural Olympiad programme which launches alongside the national programme on 26 September 2008.

During the next four years a range of events will be held including a cultural festival, sporting festival, volunteering and specific projects aimed at inspiring young people.

Wigan and Leigh’s Active Life centres include Ashton Leisure Centre, Hindley Pool and Sports Centre, Howe Bridge Sports Centre, Robin Park Arena, Leigh Indoor Sports Centre, Tyldesley Pool, Wigan International Pool and Robin Park Sports & Tennis Centre.

-ends-

NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this press release please contact David Taylor, PR and Media Manager, on 01942 486 937 or at david.taylor@wlct.org

Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over 300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough. See www.wlct.org  

Cultural Olympiad: In the run up to the London Olympic Games Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust will be holding a programme of activities designed to involve residents of the borough in sport and cultural activities as the 2012 games approaches.

Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s vision to help people across the Wigan Borough to become more physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase community activity and to encourage good citizenship.


 

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