Open Weekend 2010 launched
Top sports stars have joined Lord Coe, chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee, in inviting people across the UK to celebrate the two-year countdown to the start of the London 2012 Games by participating in Open Weekend 2010.
Open Weekend is a series of sporting, arts and cultural challenges taking place across the UK from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 July. Reflecting the theme of challenge yourself, organisations have set public challenges at their events, creating an opportunity for people to set a new personal best by trying something new or taking an existing interest to a new level.
The opportunities on offer will include building your own boat, performing in a ballet, running a leg in a 3k relay race, making your own stone sundial, and entering a talent contest.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said, "London 2012 is a grand celebration of sport, but it is also about much, much more. With Open Weekend, you can channel that enthusiasm, harness that energy and unlock your creativity. So get out and about, explore, and make it a real humdinger."
A list of events can be found at www.london2012.com/openweekend
Danny Boyle to direct London 2012 opening ceremony
Oscar-winning British filmmaker Danny Boyle, known for his work on Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting and Shallow Grave, has been appointed artistic director of the opening ceremony of London 2012.
Mr Boyle heads a creative team that includes well-known British director Stephen Daldry, also an Oscar winner. In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, he said the opening ceremony would be full of spectacle and marvel, and would feature pop and rock music from Britains greatest musical acts.
Open Weekend 2010 was launched yesterday at Londons Tate Modern by triple jump champion Jonathan Edwards CBE and 19-year-old British table tennis pro Darius Knight, who faced each other in what has been described as the most challenging ping pong match ever.
With almost exactly two years to go until the start of the London 2012 Games, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has announced plans to recruit up to 70,000 volunteers.