Olympic star Jonathan Edwards celebrates Merton’s host borough status

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Olympic gold medallist Jonathan Edwards marked Merton as an official host borough of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games yesterday (15 June) by flying the new flag.

The new flag was raised in front of school children, residents and councillors outside Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden. Special guests also included Ray Stevens, Olympic silver medallist and the most recent British male to win a medal for Judo.

Up and coming athletes were also in attendance, to demonstrate the future of Merton’s sporting stars. Emma Britton is the currently GB number two in gymnastic trampolining and Kerri Davidson is also GB number one for the under 15 triple jump. Both girls are training hard as part of the Greenwich Leisure Limited Sports Foundation, which supports young athletes in the borough.

A special mention was given to Damien Williams, a resident of the borough who was recently awarded the Volunteer of the Year award at the PRO-ACTIVE London Awards for Community Sport and Physical Activity. Damien manages Merton’s London Youth Games rugby team and dedicates his time to promoting sport to young people in the borough. In light of his recent achievement, Jonathan Edwards awarded him an Olympic commemorative coin and presentation card.

Following the flag raising, Jonathan and Ray visited Poplar Primary School for an Olympic themed question and answer session with the children. Excited children in the school got to hear the Olympians talk about their journey to competing in the Olympics and the experience of being in the event. The event closed with the children getting their photos taken with Jonathan and Ray with their medals.

Cabinet member for community and culture, Councillor Martin Whelton said: ‘It was great to have such a high calibre athlete here to help us celebrate our Olympic host borough status. The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will promote sports and culture to our young people in Merton and will be something that everyone can experience and enjoy.”

For more information on what’s happening in Merton visit http://www.merton.gov.uk/london2012.

Notes to editors:

Photos are available on request.

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Press Contact:

Leoni Munslow

Communications Assistant

London Borough of Merton

020 8545 4654