London 2012 Olympic roadshow

Olympic Legend to welcome the 2012 Roadshow to Northamptonshire

Derek Redmond, one of Great Britain’s finest athletes, will officially open the 9th annual Northamptonshire Youth Games and the national 2012 Roadshow, at Kettering Leisure Village on Saturday the 30th June 2007.    Derek will be forever remembered for the semi-finals of the Olympic Games in Barcelona where he hobbled the last 250 metres after a serious hamstring injury mid race. The footage has become one of the most enduring sporting images of modern times.

The national 2012 Roadshow is currently touring Great Britain, visiting 27 events across the country, finishing on the 29th August 2007 at Stoke Mandeville (this date marks the anniversary of 5 years until the start of the Paralympic Games).

Northamptonshire’s visit is only one of two within the East Midlands region and will be held on the site of the 2007 Northamptonshire Youth Games, which is again held at Kettering Leisure Village and Bishop Stopford School.

The Roadshow consists of the 2012 Roadshow bus, a sports demonstrations / come and try it arena with the theme very much around promoting participation in sport and the long lasting legacy of the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games in the county.  Activities confirmed (weather dependant) include trampolining, fencing, golf, table tennis, football, boccia, kick boxing and multi skills.

Local clubs, sports organisations and groups will be on hand to provide information and activities for local people, to get a taste of the Olympic spirit.    In addition, visitors and VIPs alike will be able to see an array of sporting talent on display as they compete in the 9th annual Youth Games competition.

Vanessa Brown, Director of Northamptonshire Sport said “We are delighted that Derek can be with us.  As a Northamptonshire athlete, he is a shining example of what local people can achieve in sport and I am sure that the young people attending today’s event will be inspired by Derek’s attendance”.  

Paul Southworth, Chair of the Northamptonshire Champions Fund commented “The Roadshow will highlight how positively Northamptonshire has approached the opportunities that the 2012 Games provide and the lasting benefits that the Games can provide to residents of the county”.