Gold medallist Tessa to join Preston Olympic celebrations

11:58am Wednesday 20th August 2008

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Olympic gold medal winner Tessa Sanderson is set to help hundreds of young people from Preston celebrate the official handover of the Olympics to London.

Sunday August 24 will see Preston proudly flying the London 2012 Olympic flag at a unique event to mark the official handover of the Olympic Games to the UK.

From 1pm, Preston’s Moor Park will host a sports and dance spectacular featuring the annual Streetwise Soccer tournament and Streetfeet dance displays.

Then at 4pm, the Olympic flag will officially be raised on the park.

During the day, Tessa Sanderson will be coaching local children on how to become future Olympians and Para-Olympians, before helping to raise the Olympic flag for Preston.

Marking the handover with this Streetwise Festival is a key part of Preston’s efforts to support the London 2012 Olympic Games, with the city already shortlisted as a potential Olympic training venue for 2012.

Mayor of Preston Councillor John Swindells will be raising the Olympic flag with Tessa Sanderson and welcomed the event.

He said: “This is fantastic event for the city.

“To have Olympic gold medal winner Tessa Sanderson here in Preston to help coach local school children and celebrate the Olympic handover is a tremendous honour.

"Being an Olympic champion is the ultimate achievement and Tessa is a fantastic role model.

“Hopefully by meeting Tessa and watching the success of the current British team at the Olympics, young people will be inspired to become future Olympians, perhaps even competing on home soil right here in the UK in 2012.”

Councillor Ken Hudson, leader of the council, added: “Preston is proud to be part of history and celebrate the Olympic handover to London.

“Having seen the success in Beijing, it’s amazing the think that in just four years the Olympics will be hosted right here in the UK.

"It really will be a once in a lifetime occasion.

“As a city, Preston is right behind the 2012 Olympics and, given the fantastic sporting facilities and venues that we have here, we would be delighted to offer a warm, Lancashire welcome to any athletes from around the world that want to use our facilities to train for the games in 2012.”

The event has been organised by the council in partnership with Preston North End, the National Football Museum and Lancashire Police.

Iain Mackie, Streetwise development officer for Preston City Council, said: “Moor Park will be buzzing with a whole host of sporting, dancing and family entertainment.

"With the Streetwise Soccer tournament and the Streetfeet dance extravaganza, there is the chance for some of Preston’s rising stars to win their very own gold medal, just like at the Olympics.

“In addition, just prior the flag raising there will be a showcase performance from Preston’s very own freestyle football world champion John Farnworth.

“The whole day will be one not to be missed, so come on down and join in!”