Kingston's road to 2012...
Our commitment to bring the games to London began in 2005 when Kingston Council's Active Kingston Team staged a highly successful Mini-Olympics for young people to support London’s bid to host the 2012 Games.
Since then, a number of events and special occasions have taken place that reinforce the borough's commitment to making the Games a success:
April 2011
Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), visits Chessington Community College to see for himself how young people in London are inspired by and benefiting from the London 2012 Games.
Seb also presented Chessington Community College with the Get Set Network plaque, to formally recognise it as a member of the Get Set Network, London 2012’s domestic education programme.
March 2011
LOCOG confirm that the Cycling Time Trial event will start and finish at Hampton Court Palace, passing through many of Kingston's roads along the way.
Councillor Simon James, Executive Member for Sport at Kingston Council, said: “To have both the Road Race and Time Trial visiting the streets of our borough in 2012 is fantastic news. South West London and North Surrey will become a focal point for cycling fans from across the world as they come to watch these two wonderful events. The whole region will benefit culturally and economically and we look forward to welcoming them and showing what Kingston has to offer."
February 2011
LOCOG confirm that the route for the men and womens Cycle Road Race will come through Kingston Town Centre.
Seb Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: “This extends the Games into the South West of London and Surrey. We are delighted to be bringing such high profile and exciting events here which will bring the Road Race into challenging cycling terrain through many new boroughs and districts. Following our medal success in Beijing, the Road Cycling events really will bring the magic of the Games to life for many thousands of spectators.”
Councillor Simon James, Executive Member for Sport at Kingston Council, said: “This is fabulous news for the borough. It is vital that Kingston maximises the cultural and economic benefits of the Olympic Games coming to London. Having such high profile events taking place within the borough on the opening two days of the Games will put Kingston on the global map. We will be working closely with LOCOG, local residents and businesses in the coming 18 months to ensure the benefits of hosting the cycle road races are maximised.”
July 2010 Go Kingston 2010 took place on 25 July 2010 at the Hawker Centre.
Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the two-year countdown to London hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Everyone took advantage of the many activities on offer while gathering information and advice from the experts on how to get fit and stay active and healthy for life.
They were also very lucky to witness some spectacular displays and live music as well as taking part in the London 2012 Open Weekend Cycle Challenge and test their strength in the Tug-of-War.
See the Sport Kingston pages for further details.
September 2008
The launch of the Community Sport and Physical Activity Network (CSPAN) in Kingston marked the handover of the Paralympic Games from Beijing to London.
Kingston's young Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls Jonathan Smith (Wheelchair Racer) and Edmond Figueiredo (Gymnast) along with Lucy Shuker (Team GB Wheelchair Tennis) fresh back from Beijing and Fiona Schlesinger (future Team GB Rower) gathered together to receive the torch.
The CSPAN projects are a great endorsement of the optimism the Olympics has brought to London and locally in Kingston. The CSPAN plans to radically change the range and quality of coaching and volunteering opportunities on offer throughout the borough and will inspire people to lead healthy and active lifestyles through sport.
August 2008
A double decker bus full of Special Olympic Surrey athletes was waved off from Kingston Guildhall by the Deputy Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Rohan Yoganathan, the visiting Canadian cricket team and many other local dignitaries. The bus and its passengers travelled to The Mall to witness Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, receive the Olympic flag from Guo Jinlong, the Mayor of Beijing.
July 2005
Kingston joined in with the euphoria in central London as the result of the bid was unveiled.
London Bid Team Chief Lord Coe at the time said: “It’s just the most fantastic opportunity to do everything we always dreamed of in British sport. We can change the face of sport in the next seven years and beyond.”
May 2005
Kingston hosted an eight day festival of sport to Back the Bid for London. The event started with a multicultural opening dance display, followed by a series of sports festival and competitions. In attendance was Alex Stewart OBE (England Cricketer) and David Weir (GB track wheelchair Oympic athlete - pictured left). David Weir opened the Kingston Games pledging his support to back the bid.
Kingston primary schools were invited to The Kingston Games at Kingsmeadow Athletics Track to take part in the Olympic style event. Hundreds of children attended. The success of the event was reported back to Sebastian Coe Chairman of the London Bid who sent his thanks to the whole team for Kingston's support and tireless efforts.
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