Olympic star Jonathan Edwards to fly the flag for Merton

· by · in Events, Sport and leisure. ·

Olympic gold medallist Jonathan Edwards will be raising the flag on 15 June to mark Merton as an official host borough of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The flag will be raised at 2pm outside Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden by the former triple jump star who still holds the world-record for his discipline.

Jonathan Edwards will be joined by pupils from Poplar, Abbotsbury and Morden primary schools and members of the council. Those who live, work or study in the borough are all invited to come along and kick start the celebrations for the Games.

From 28 July to 5 August 2012, the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club will host the Olympic tennis championships as part of London 2012.

Nominations are already open for 8,000 torchbearers to be part of the Olympic Torch Relay taking place nationwide. Everyone is eligible and the organisers are looking for those who have made a difference within their community, go above and beyond their job or have acted as a positive role model to young people.

Olympian Jonathan Edwards said: “I’m really looking forward to raising the flag in Merton. There will be lots of school children from Merton helping me raise the flag. The 2012 Games coming to London is a great opportunity, which I hope will encourage youngsters up and down the country to get involved in sport. Sport has something good to offer everyone. It helps you stay healthy, builds your self esteem and can open the door to many great opportunities.”

Cabinet member for community and culture, Councillor Martin Whelton said “We are extremely proud to be a host borough for London 2012 and look forward to sharing the experience with all of our residents. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone getting involved and getting into the Olympic spirit”.

For more information on what’s happening in Merton visit http://www.merton.gov.uk/london2012 and to nominate an Olympic Torch Bearer visit http://www.london2012.com/olympic-torch-relay by 29 June 2011.

Notes to editors:

• The chosen schools are all part of the Get Set Network, which aims to education children through sport and culture.

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Press Contact:

Leoni Munslow

Communications Assistant

London Borough of Merton

020 8545 4654