SPORTS fans got active at a special event to mark the one-year countdown to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Challenge Swindon event, in Wharf Green on Saturday, aimed to use the milestone to showcase our sporting talent and opportunities, and also inspire more people to take up sport.

Among the attractions were a wheelchair basketball exhibition game, a ‘Keepy-up Challenge’ with prizes from Swindon Town FC, and taster sessions in tennis, frisbee golf, mini athletics and other sports for everyone to try.

The sporting and cultural activities also featured demonstrations and displays, including a Gymfusion performance by Esprit Gymnastics Club. Many of the events were organised by local clubs and groups.

A selection of London 2012-themed interactive games were played out on the Big Screen including mascot motion sensor game ‘Swim Wenlock Swim’.

There were also screenings of Olympic and Paralympic-related films, among them the Academy Award-winning British film Chariots of Fire.

The gathering was organised by Swindon Council in partnership with inSwindon, Forward Swindon and the BBC.

Helena Robinson, the council’s leisure strategy manager, said: “It has been absolutely fantastic. I have been really pleased by the numbers who have come along.

“There’s a real buzz around. People are coming and looking and saying, ‘What’s this all about?’ and signing up for activities.

“If all they get from it is the fact that they have really enjoyed that and they are going to listen out for other things about sport and physical activity, then that’s brilliant.

“It’s about inspiring, engaging and energising people to get involved in sport.”

The actual one-year countdown to the start of the Olympics is on Wednesday but the milestone was marked in Swindon on Saturday as the closest weekend before the day itself.

Wharf Green was chosen as the location because the Olympic events are set to be broadcast live on the Big Screen next summer.

Helena said: “Having the Big Screen here means that during the Games it will be shown here, and what we are going to try to do is put activities on under it so people can feel part of it.”

Linda Woodward, from Faringdon, was there on Saturday with daughter Hannah, 10, who is a member of Swindon’s Esprit Gymnastics Club.

Linda said: “I think it’s a really good idea to have this countdown event because it encourages people who might not normally get involved in sport to come along and see what’s available.

“I think a lot of people just see sports as the big sports and don’t think of minority sports or other ways they can get fit – events like this will open their eyes.”