Showtime at the Olympic Park

• 09

  May

  Showtime at the Olympic Park

  On Wednesday 9 May 2012 the UK's best young athletes will compete in the Olympic Stadium, race around the Velodrome and swim at the Aquatics Centre as the Olympic Park hosts the final day of the Sainsbury's 2012 School Games.

  Backed by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, the Sainsbury's 2012 School Games is a multi-sport event for 1,600 elite young athletes.

  Over the last three days competition has taken place in badminton, fencing, gymnastics, hockey, judo, road cycling, rugby 7s, table tennis, volleyball and wheelchair basketball in London venues, with some outstanding performances. On the final day of the Sainsbury's 2012 School Games attention turns to the Olympic Park with competition in athletics, track cycling and swimming with six of the sports including disability competition.

  Up to 35,000 tickets for spectators were allocated for the event, with more than 400 school groups from across the country expected to travel to London to watch the action.

  Following the competition a spectacular closing ceremony will take place in the Basketball Arena at the Olympic Park which will include performances from Chart toppers Cover Drive and gymnastic troupe Spelbound.

  Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt said: "I'm sure all the School Games finalists will find it incredible to be competing at the Olympic Park just weeks before the world's most talented athletes arrive here for the London 2012 Games. It's very exciting and I hope they all have a brilliant time."

  Jennie Price, Chief Executive of Sport England, said: "Competing in the Olympic Park ahead of this year's Games is an amazing opportunity for these talented young athletes. Their performances and those of the London 2012 athletes will help us build a lasting legacy and inspire a generation to create a sporting habit for life."

  John Steele, Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Sport Trust, said: "Our fantastic summer of sport starts here with this wonderful opportunity for young people to experience the Olympic Park. This incredible day can only provide a boost to our future sports stars and inspire them to achieve their dreams in sport."

  Justin King, Chief Executive Officer of Sainsbury's, said: "The Sainsbury's 2012 School Games is an exciting opportunity for young athletes from around the country to experience competing in Olympic venues two months before the London 2012 Olympic Games. By showcasing the sporting talent of future champions, the Games will also inspire spectators, young and old alike.

  "By 2020, we'll have encouraged over 20 million children to enjoy physical activity and along with our Active Kids scheme, the Sainsbury's 2012 School Games is an example of our commitment to helping young people live healthier and more active lifestyles, regardless of age and ability."

  Olympic gold medallists Darren Campbell and Jason Gardener will be among the star names at the Olympic Park on Wednesday 09 May to watch the action.

  Jason said: "For these young people to taste what it is like to compete at the Olympic Park is an incredible opportunity. There will be so many experiences they will be able to take from this event that will benefit their future sporting careers."

  The Sainsbury's 2012 School Games finals event in May is one part of the wider year round School Games initiative, which uses the inspiration of London's Olympics and Paralympics to transform competitive sport in schools and get more people playing sport. Thousands of schools across the country have signed up to take part in local class versus class and school versus school competitions along with county wide sports festivals.

  The School Games is supported by a range of partners including the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Sport England, Youth Sport, Trust Department of Health, ParalympicsGB, Sport Wales, Sport Scotland and Sport Northern Ireland.

  Over £128m of Lottery and Government funding is being invested to support the School Games over the next three years.

  To find out more about the Sainsbury's 2012 School Games visit: www.2012schoolgames.com.