Lord Mayor flies Olympic flag

THE LORD MAYOR of Liverpool, Councillor Steve Rotheram, helped to get the official preparations for London 2012 underway by hoisting the Olympic flag from the roof of the Town Hall as Beijing officially handed over the Olympic baton to London on Sunday, 24 August 2008. The Lord Mayor then raised the iconic flag at 2:30pm GMT at Liverpool Town Hall to celebrate the historic moment. He was joined by City of Liverpool gymnasts and potential future Olympians Abi Kirby, Jenni Pinches, Anna Stubbs and Emma Smith.   The Olympic Handover Flag in Liverpool is one of over 500 flags delivered to locations including HM Armed Forces, embassies around the world, City Halls, British Council offices and Foreign and Commonwealth offices.  Councillor Rotheram before the event said:- “The moment when London becomes the official Olympic Games Host City will be a significant one for the whole country. We’ve seen the effect Liverpool’s Capital of Culture title has had on the city’s confidence and profile, and we know how important the prestigious Olympic title is to the capital city and the rest of the nation. I’ll be delighted to raise the Olympic flag at the Town Hall.”

Liverpool City Council Leader, Warren Bradley, added:- “I was delighted that Liverpool played its part in promoting and supporting the Olympic handover. We are, after all, the UK’s capital of sport, having produced many Olympians via our sports development programmes, and we are confident that we will be very well represented in London 2012.” 

The Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee, Sebastian Coe said:- "When the Mayor of London accepts the Olympic Flag on 24 August, the eyes of the world will turn to London and the UK as the next Summer Host City.  It is a very important and exciting moment for us, and we want as many people as possible to join in the Handover celebrations. We are delighted that so many local authorities share our excitement and are proudly displaying the Olympic Handover Flag to mark this very special moment on our journey to 2012."

Councillor Chris White, Chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport board, said:- “While the Olympic Games in 2012 are happening in London, it’s clear there’s strong support for them throughout the length and breadth of the country.  More than 400 councils arranged parties and flag-raising events for 24 August 2008 to mark the start of an exciting four years. Authorities such as Liverpool are already investing in sports facilities and promoting healthier living to ensure the legacy of the Olympic Games will be long-lasting. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for every part of the country to enjoy a boom in business, tourism and sporting excellence, and councils are ready to seize the opportunity.”

So what do you think about London 2012?  Do you think we will do as well as we did this year in the Olympics..? 

Let us know your views, by emailing us to:- news24@southportreporter.com.

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