Olympic Flag Flies in Wandsworth

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Raised simultaneously with regions around the UK

The Olympic Flag has been raised at WandsworthTown Hall to celebrate London becoming the official Olympic Games Host City.

A first in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, on Sunday, August 24, the iconic London Olympic Handover Flag was raised in Wandsworth simultaneously with regions around the UK.

Olympic Gold medallist, Steve Trapmore, MBE who triumphed in Rowing at the Sydney 2000 Games, was on hand to receive the flag along with Cllr Rosemary Torrington, who has special responsibility for sport, Wandsworth Council's deputy director of leisure and amenity services, Paul McCue, and head of leisure and sports services, Simon Ingyon yesterday.

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 HostCity. 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 flag"

Cllr Rosemary Torrington said, " Congratulations to team GB on their outstanding achievements at the Bejing Olympics. We are proud that a number of the Olympic athletes and successful medal winners hail from the borough including Silver medallist, cyclist Emma Pooley, Silver medallist and oarsman Alistair Heathcote and Bronze medallist in windsurfing, Bryony Shaw, Jade Johnson and Winston Gordon.These achievements are testimony to the commitment and dedication of young sports men and women in the borough and will encourage more young people in the borough to become involved in the 2012 games."

Wandsworth has been approved to offer a range of training camp facilities for sports people taking part in the 2012 games. All facilities are fully accessible, have a structured and tested health and safety management system and are run by experienced staff who can assist with individual and team training needs.

The following venues in Wandsworth have been included in London 2012's Pre Games Training Camp Guide for The Olympic and Paralympic Games:

· Barn Elms Sports Centre (Archery)
A multi-sport facility of 52 acres, providing high quality field surface and space required to meet the specifications of the International Archery Federation.

· BatterseaPark Millennium Arena (Athletics)
An eight lane running track with pavilion providing accommodation for showering and changing. In addition a gym, fitness studio and sauna.

· Battersea Youth Sports Centre (Fencing, judo, wrestling)
Facilities include a full sized four-court sports hall, dojo and a strength and conditioning room.

· Ernest Bevin Sports College (Badminton, basketball, judo, table tennis, taekwondo, indoor volleyball, wrestling, boccia, goalball, table tennis, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby).
A specialist college for sport since 2000. New facilities include a 25 metre pool, sports hall, dojo and fitness centre.

· Roehampton Club (Tennis, wheelchair tennis)
Set in 100 acres of parkland, close to RichmondPark. Facilities include 29 tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools, gym and fitness studio.

· Tooting Bec Athletics Track (Athletics)
An athletics track that meets UKA Grade A specifications, with full floodlighting, gym and multi-purpose room.

August 27, 2008