2011 Olympic Open weekend

This weekend (23rd & 24th July 2011) sees the start of the one year countdown to the opening of the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.  To celebrate this and to start to build the momentum to what promises to be an exciting 12 months, a series of Open Weekend activities will be delivered across the county.

These events are designed to show case the many different sporting and cultural activities that are available for young and old to get up, get out and get active.  They also hope to help achieve the aspirations held by the organising committee of the Games that the Olympics will engage with the whole of the British Isles and not just those living in London.  One of the official 2012 mascots, Wenlock, will be returning to the county to take part in celebrations in Corby, Daventry and Kettering.

Gary Sheppard, Senior Sports Manager at Northamptonshire Sport said "The Open Weekend 2011 is a great opportunity for the county to showcase it's many assets and to use the power of the Olympics to inspire, motivate and engage local communities to strive to succeed.  The 2011 programme is incredibly diverse and offers something for all, from dance to dodgeball, zumba to zorb balls, badminton to boccia - it really promises to be a great sporting and cultural celebration for the county".

A sample of the events taking place includes:

Corby town centre, pool and Cube - Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd  & Sunday 24th July - click here for the programme of events

Daventry Leisure Centre Saturday 23rd & Althrop House Sunday 24th July - click here for the programme of events

East Northants Boccia competition Sunday 24th

Kettering - Blaze dance relay Saturday 23rd & Sports taster sessions on Sunday 24th

Northampton - Lings Forum 23rd September  &  Sunday 24th July

Towcester Centre for Leisure taster day on Saturday 23rd July

Redwell Leisure Centre, Wellingborough on Sunday 24th July