2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

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Talented Athletes out and about in the Community

Despite their heavy training regimes our Talented Athletes always make time to attend events and act as ambassadors for the Olympic Ambition Team and their sports.

We regularly invite athletes to Council events as it helps both the community and the athletes. It encourages the athletes as they know they have their borough behind them. In return the athletes act as positive role models for the community.

London 2012 Open Weekend supported by BP

24 July 2009

The Council along with Ben Bradshaw our local talented canoeist was invited to a press launch and breakfast to celebrate the start of London 2012 Open Weekend, which marked 3 years till the opening of the Games.

Ben joined the Chief Executive of the Council, the Group Manager of the Olympic Ambition Team to a breakfast attended by special guest Seb Coe.

This was followed by a press call with the media where Ben spoke about the new borough event entitled Countdown which featured Baking's very own giant beach. The event concluded with a photo-call at the English National Ballet.

Our athletes visited the Countdown event, part of London 2012 Open Weekend and seemed to enjoy the sun and beach volleyball!

Ben Bradshaw and his team mates from Barking and Dagenham Canoe Club then took part our Gateway to the Games Beach Volleyball Corporate Challenge.

Olympic Summit

16 June 2009

The event hosted by the Olympic Ambition Team at the Council launched the new prospectus 'Barking and Dagenham the Gateway to the Games' and gave guests the opportunity to have their say and ask questions to the panel at the Olympic Summit.

Our athletes were amongst invited guest who joined panellists including:

Mark Foster, Olympic medallist and Strictly Come Dancing star
Rt. Hon. Richard Caborn - Ex Sports Minister and Prime Minister's World Cup Ambassador
Rob Whiteman - Chief Executive of Barking and Dagenham Council
Clive Wilding - Project Director, Barking Riverside Limited
Jeremy West - Chief Executive of West and Co and Chairman of Living the Dream Trust

The athletes including Kike Oniwinde, Lucy Sargent, Ben Bradshaw, Craig Moate and Zoe got the chance to meet Mark Foster and enjoy the event.

Talented Athletes Open Tesco Store in Barking

22 May 2009

Conor Lynn, Leanne Brown, Ben Bradshaw and Craig Moate joined the trustees of Living the Dream to officially open the new Tesco Store in Barking.

The Tesco store kindly donated £500 to Living the Dream Trust which supports the talented athletes form Barking and Dagenham.

Launch of Communicating for Success Programme, West Ham United Football Club

12 January 2009

BT and the Football Foundation invited Craig Moate and Ben Bradshaw to represent Barking and Dagenham at the launch of 'Communicating for Success'.

This exciting education programme is targeted at all ages and will utilise the power and reach of football and sport to help encourage more people to learn IT and communication skills.

Craig and Ben were a credit to both their sport and their borough when they interacted confidently with politicians, business people and the children on the programme.

BT and West Ham United Community Sports Trust were so impressed with our young athletes they thanked them with match tickets and phones.

Laser and Lights Showcase, Barking Town Centre

19 November 2008

Our Talented Athletes rubbed shoulders with special guest Paralympian Beverly Gull and X Factor finalist Austin Drage.

The athletes were interviewed on stage and gave visitors a flavour of their sporting achievements and aspirations for the future.

Our Olympic hopefuls told crowds how the Mayors Charity, Living the Dream has supported them in reaching their goals.

Flying the Flag - Olympic Handover

24 August 2008

A momentous day for London was celebrated at Barking Town Hall with a special ceremony to mark the handover of the games from Beijing to London.

Our Talented Athletes were invited as special guests along with the Gateway to the Games Volunteers.

For our athletes the day marked an important milestone in their dream journey to London 2012 where they hope to represent Great Britain.