News

Olympic Handover Day

Posted on 25/08/08

Hundreds of people turned out across West Sussex to celebrate Olympic Handover Day on Sunday 24 August 2008, marking the handover of the Olympic Torch from Beijing to London.

Seven Big Picnics took place across the county with events ranging from cirus performers, a tea dance and a ceilidh to giant board games, global music and film screenings.  Each picnic was linked by the arrival of a 4 foot baguette baton, which was carried in a marathon 180 mile relay by the Chichester Festival Youth Theatre. 

The picnics marked the launch of Celebrate! West Sussex, a four year celebration in the run-up to the 2012 Games, which will engage local communities in creating, competing and collaborating with participants across the world in outstanding arts and sports events.

The Big Picnics were also a chance to celebrate the success of two West Sussex Olympic medalists, Tina Cook, who won Bronze medals in the equestrian team eventing and the women's individual eventing, and Elise Laverick, who won Bronze in the rowing women's double sculls.

West Sussex County Council Leader Henry Smith said: "This has been a successful Olympics for Team GB and on behalf of West Sussex County Council I'd like to offer our congratulations not only to the West Sussex winners but also the whole team.  What a wonderful way to begin the lead up to the 2012 Games!" 

Local authorities across the country marked Handover Day by raising official 2012 Games flags.  Henry Smith raised the flag for West Sussex County Council at a joint ceremony in Crawley with Crawley Borough Council, in the Memorial Gardens in Crawley town centre.

The County Council's flag will be moved to County Hall in Chichester, where it will be on display until the end of September 2008.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy and Chairman of the 2012 Steering Group Deborah Urquhart said:  "I would particularly like to congratulate our two medallists as their local County Councillor, their achievements were a result of many years of hard work.  Hopefully their success will inspire youngsters in the county to participate in more sports.

"I would also like to thank County Council officers who co-ordinated the Big Picnics and the partner organisers.  It takes vision and determination to co-ordinate seven events to take place on the same day across the county and a lot of effort was put in to achieve this.

"This is a four year programme and a lot of hard work is being put in to plan more events in the run-up to the 2012 Games."

Vice Chairman of West Sussex Arts Partnership Simon Hardy added:  "Despite a wet start, the day finished with glorious afternoon sunshine giving a real carnival atmosphere for Handover day and for the launch of Celebrate! West Sussex."

For full details of the Big Picnic sites and what was on offer at each, click here.