The Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games is a multi-sport event for the UK’s elite young athletes of school age and the inaugural event is due to begin start in just a few days time in the Olympic Park and other venues.
From Sunday 6th May until Wednesday 9th May, the Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games seeks to create an inspirational and motivational setting which not only provides our elite young sports people with the opportunity to thrive and perform at the highest levels, but encourages more young people to take part and succeed in sport.
Four Olympic venues will host the event, the Olympic Stadium, Aquatic Centre, Velodrome and ExCel Centre, and the competition aims to mirror the Olympic and Paralympic Games complete with opening and closing ceremonies.
Around 1,600 of the nation’s finest young sports stars will compete, cheered on by an estimated 35,000 spectators at what will be will be the last event to be held on the Olympic Park before the opening ceremony on 27th July.
Competition will be held in twelve current and future Olympic and Paralympic sports: fencing, rugby sevens, gymnastics, hockey, badminton, athletics, cycling, judo, swimming, table tennis, volleyball and wheelchair basketball, with disability events in five sports: athletics, fencing, swimming, judo, table tennis and wheelchair basketball.
Tickets for the event for family members and schools groups were allocated on a first-come first-served basis and all were quickly snapped up by those eager to see both the Olympic and Paralympic facilities, and the performances of the very best school age talent.