Westminster Council announces its 2012 Ambassadors

Three of the UK's top athletes have today (Wednesday 2 April) signed up as 2012 Ambassadors to drum up support for the Games in Westminster- so far overlooked by the building of the main site in East London.

Sporting heroes Jonathan Edwards, Giles Long and Ben Challenger will act as Westminster City Council’s Ambassadors for the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Westminster has a key role in the Games, hosting 3 sporting events and taking part in 2 others against the backdrop of famous sites such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Hyde Park.

With up to 70,0000 volunteers needed to help make the Games run smoothly Londoners are being called on to do their bit - as well as of course encouraging talented would-be athletes to excel so they can help Britain's medal tally.

Former Olympic triple jumper and world record holder Jonathan Edwards MBE, who was born in Westminster, said:

"I am delighted to be an Ambassador for Westminster Council. I have a strong bond with Westminster so I am glad to contribute to the success of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games within the borough".

John Barradell, Westminster City Council’s Deputy Chief Executive for Built Environment and Lead Officer for the 2012 Games said:

"The Get Set London roadshow offers every person and local business in our City the chance to find out how they can get involved in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities offered by the 2012 Games.

"We are working closely with our communities to create a lasting legacy to bring improved cultural, sporting, volunteering and employment opportunities for all Westminster residents and to ensure that they are able to experience, enjoy and contribute to the city’s unique sporting and cultural offers".

The sporting trio made their pledge of support during the Get Set London Roadshow (organised by London 2012, the LDA and GLA) to help boost the number of people getting involved in sport, culture and its planned activities in the run up to 2012.

The Get Set London Roadshow held in north Westminster at Paddington Recreation Ground, offered local residents, schools, community groups and businesses the opportunity to find out how the 2012 Games will increase jobs and skills opportunities as well as benefit culture, sport, business and regeneration in Westminster.

Youngsters and school groups also had the chance to get involved in sports sessions set up by Council, which featured athletics, archery, free running, football and volleyball amongst others.

The day’s cultural programme included a “Create your own carnival costume” workshop, a libraries storytelling session, film screenings including an international Hip Hop, scratch and guitar jamming film, and a market place area for organisations to promote activities and services within the City.

Former Paralympic Swimming Gold Medallist Giles Long MBE said:

“I am honoured to be an Ambassador for Westminster Council to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“After experiencing the great opportunity to participate in the Paralympic Games, I aim to inspire young people to take part in sport rather than just watch it, so I fully endorse the Council’s objective to widen involvement in sporting activities”.

High jump bronze medallist Ben Challenger, who lives near the Harrow Road and will compete at the Beijing Games, added:

"As a Westminster resident, I am proud to represent the Council and play a role in celebrating its diversity as a 2012 Ambassador".

Challenger demonstrated his skills to locals taking part in an athletics session with the schools present.

Between now and 2012, the sporting heroes will take part in a number of events organised by Westminster Council to engage local residents and create support for the Games.

Westminster Council is hoping to boost the number of sports clubs by encouraging schools and local communities to get more involved in sport. Two new leisure centres are currently being built, one at the site of the historic Marshall Street baths in Soho, and the second in Crompton Street, Maida Vale. Both are due to open in 2009.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

With nearly half of all hotel beds in London (40%, 65,000 beds) and 95 per cent of all London tourists visiting Westminster, the City is the cultural and tourist hub of the capital.

Westminster has one of the most diverse populations in the country, with nearly half of all its 235,000 residents classed as black or ethnic minority, and more than 150 languages spoken as a first language in its schools. The City also jointly plays host to the largest street carnival in Europe, the Notting Hill Carnival.

The success of Westminster City Council’s voluntary City Guides in action was evident at the Tour De France which Westminster hosted in summer 2007.

Westminster’s Personal Best Programme, funded by the LDA and the Learning & Skills Council, also supports local job-seekers into volunteering, further training or employment and is delivered by a consortium of local partners and employers. Since last spring, the Programme has helped 45 job-seekers to gain new skills with 15 progressing into work. Both schemes form part of a package of support available to job-seekers in Westminster linking residents to local vacancies. Since 1999, over 5,000 job-seekers have found work thanks to the initiatives and the efforts of the Paddington First job brokerage service.

Triple jumper and TV presenter Jonathan Edwards, born in 1966 in Westminster, is an Olympic, World & Commonwealth Champion. Edwards first made the record books in 1995 when he set a World Record at the World Championships in Gothenburg with a jump of 18.29m. In 2000, he won a Gold at the Sydney Olympics, where he jumped 17.77m. In 2003, Edwards started his television career as a presenter.

Giles Long MBE, born in 1976, started swimming when he was 7 years old. At the age of 13, a broken arm uncovered a bone tumour. Long underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy and various operations that left him with limited use of his right shoulder. Long has won 7 Paralympic medals.

High jumper Ben Challenger, born in 1978, has been a high jumper since 1992. Challenger won the bronze medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

The Get Set London Roadshow was created by London 2012, The Mayor of London and the London Development Agency (LDA) and has been visiting all of London’s boroughs. Information on the ‘Get Set London’ Roadshow can be found at www.london2012.com