Countdown to 2012 starts here

11:40am Thursday 21st August 2008

AS the Olympic baton is handed from Beijing to Boris, Swindon will be joining in the celebrations.

A ceremony will be held at the Civic Offices, in Euclid Street, on Sunday, and will feature local sporting champions and lively displays.

Swindon will be among 500 locations in the UK to simultaneously fly the iconic London Olympic Handover Flag.

The flag is set to be raised at the Civic Offices at 2.30pm.

Before the flag raising there will be a judo demonstration by Swindon Judo Club. There will also be a display of rhythmic gymnastics by Swindon-based Espirit Gymnastics, and a brass band performance.

The event will be officially opened by Swindon deputy mayor David Wren and Coun Justin Tomlinson, the council’s lead member for leisure, culture and recreation.

Powerlifter Keith Bell, a former Paralympic bronze medallist; hurdler Lesley-Ann Skeete and former Commonwealth bronze medallist and wheelchair tennis player Louise Hunt, Paralympic hopeful for 2012 will also be on hand with their medals to speak to sporting enthusiasts.

Adding to the excitement, people will be able to watch the spectacular handover ceremony, which starts at 1pm, on Swindon’s Big Screen in Wharf Green. The Visa London 2012 parade from the city’s Mall, starting at 3.30pm, will also be shown.

In addition, church bells across the borough are planned to ring out at 3.45pm, to help create the two minutes of noise across the UK which will signal the handover of Olympic responsibility from China to Britain.

Coun Tomlinson said: “I am delighted that Swindon is embracing the London Olympic handover celebrations in style.

“It is the perfect way to round off a truly spectacular performance by Great Britain in Beijing.

“I encourage people to come and watch the symbolic flag raising and to enjoy the sporting festivities both live at the Civic Offices and on the Big Screen in Wharf Green.

“This is very exciting for everyone in Swindon and hopefully we can build on the enthusiasm built up by the success of Team GB.

“For my part, after Britain’s success in the Velodrome I will be dusting off my bike, getting my puncture mended and getting back in the saddle.”

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