London 2012 volunteer selection programme arrives in the Midlands

SPORTWORLD-James Wilberforce-London,Selection for London 2012 volunteers started in the Midlands today as the eighth regional Games Maker selection event opened its doors in Coventry.

Between now and 7 August 2011, the University of Warwick's Sports Centre in Coventry will welcome an estimated 7,000 applicants, all looking to secure one of the 70,000 Games-time roles.

A number of these roles will be based at the City of Coventry Stadium, which will be hosting the Olympic Football tournament.

Budding volunteers will be able to explore an exhibition about the Games and meet London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) staff before their 30-minute interview.

The interviews are the second stage in the process to be a London 2012 volunteer. In September 2010, the public were invited to apply to become part of the London 2012 Games Maker programme, with over 250,000 people signing up.

Jean Tomlin, LOCOG's HR Director, said: ‘London 2012 volunteers will be the face of the Games – every role counts, from collecting tickets to welcoming athletes at the airport. It’s vital we find the right people for these roles, and we are delighted to bring the search to Coventry today.

'The Games are for the whole of the UK and it’s great that people across the nation have volunteered their time so willingly.’

A final selection event will take place in Plymouth from 11–17 August 2011. The flagship interview centre at London’s ExCeL Centre, which opened on 1 February this year, will remain active until March 2012.

Artistic Director line-up complete for London 2012 Ceremonies

SPORTWORLD-James Wilberforce-London,Jenny Sealey and Bradley Hemmings, pictured with International Paralympic Committee Chief Executive Officer Xavi Gonzalez, will direct the Opening Ceremony on 29 August 2012
Bradley Hemmings is the Artistic Director of Greenwich+Docklands Festivals, an organisation with a national and international reputation. He has broken new ground in outdoor performance and is at the forefront of the development of a new body of outdoor work by Deaf and disabled artists.

Jenny Sealey is Artistic Director of Graeae, the UK’s flagship disabled-led theatre company. Her career has spanned 20 years' working with Deaf and disabled artists, and in 2009 she was awarded an MBE for services to disability arts.

Jenny Sealey said: ‘This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to work collaboratively with leading Deaf, disabled and non-disabled artists to create a unique, unforgettable spectacle to be enjoyed by millions across the globe.’

These appointments complete the selection of artistic directors for the London 2012 Ceremonies, and follow the appointment of Danny Boyle as Artistic Director of the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony and Kim Gavin as Artistic Director of both the Olympic and Paralympic Closing Ceremonies.

The Artistic Directors will be supported by a team of Executive Producers to oversee all four ceremonies. This team includes film director Stephen Daldry CBE, designer Mark Fisher, television director Hamish Hamilton and International Ceremonies producer Catherine Ugwu. Read more about the creative team

Sebastian Coe, LOCOG Chair, said: ‘Bradley and Jenny are the perfect team to lead the artistic direction of the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Both are directors with great experience of creating brilliant live shows and events together.

'They are respected in the arts world for bringing disabled and non-disabled performers together to create spectacular shows. With just over one year to go, I’m confident that the London 2012 Ceremonies are in good hands.’

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體委會戴主委為倫敦奧運跆拳道世界區資格賽代表隊授旗 期許奪得滿額參賽資格

(SportWorld運動世界-記者林晉毅台北報導)體委會戴主任委員6月26日下午，為即將前往亞塞拜然參加跆拳道世界區資格賽的中華代表隊授旗，期許選手發揮實力，取得倫敦奧運滿額參賽資格。

2012年奧運會跆拳道世界區資格賽將於6月30日至7月3日，於亞塞拜然巴庫舉行，我國出賽的4位選手分別是男子58公斤級魏辰洋、68公斤級莊子德、女子49公斤級楊淑君和57公斤級的曾櫟騁。

本次賽會的成績，攸關我國是否能取得2012年倫敦奧運會跆拳道的參賽資格，其重要性可見一斑。

戴主委最近幾次造訪國訓中心，都很關心跆拳道培訓隊的訓練情形，看著選手們辛苦訓練的過程，希望能在這次比賽創造佳績。如果本次賽會能傳回捷報，跆拳道選手便有足夠的時間為奧運備戰，無需再打亞洲區資格賽，對奧運培訓工作有相當大的助益。

因此，戴主委期許所有參賽的教練選手，全力以赴，為我國取得倫敦奧運滿額的參賽資格。