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Essex celebrated 500 days to go to the Opening Cerenomies of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
15 March 2011 marked 500 day to go until the Opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Essex hosted special events to raise awareness and excitement of the Games getting closer which included activities at the newly refurbished Hadleigh Old Fire Station and Hadleigh Country Park, a sneak preview of London 2012 Olympic Mountain Bike course at Hadleigh Farm, celebrations at Braintree BMX track, Rochford, Brentwood, Southend-on-Sea , Colchester Borough Council’s Senior Management Team (SMT) and Harlow.

The third Brentwood SX Urban Games came to the Brentwood Centre on Saturday 12th March and was inspired by the 2012 London Games and was part of the 500 days to go until the London 2012 Olympic Games celebrations.

The SX Urban Games gives Essex and Brentwood teenagers the chance to try alterntive street sports , proving you don’t need to play mainstream sport to be active.

17 March 2011 marked 500 days to go until the Opening cerenomy of the London 2012 Parlympic Games and Essex celebrated with All Ability Challenge Cup - an Athletics event for people of all ages with a range of disabilities. The event was opened by Paralympic Swimmer Chris Holmes and included a number of field and track events, Grip ball and Boccia, drawing competitors from Uttlesford, Harlow, and Epping and as far as Ipswich.

Chris Holmes, Britain’s most successful Paralympic swimmer opened the All Ability Challenge Cup in Harlow this weekend to celebrate 500 days to go until the opening of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The All Ability Challenge Cup was organised by Harlow Council in conjunction with All Ability Sports and Leisure and Harlow Athletics Club for people of all ages with a range of disabilities. Funded by Essex County Council the challenge cup included a number of field and track events, Grip ball and Boccia, drawing competitors from Uttlesford, Harlow, and Epping and as far as Ipswich.

Chris Holmes, Director of Paralympic Integration at the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) said:

“The All Ability Cup has been a really successful event with strong contenders in both track and field. The spirit of the Paralympic Games has been felt here today and it is my wish that the same excitement and buzz is generated when the tickets for the Paralympic Games go on sale in September”.

Cllr Stephen Castle, Cabinet Member for Education and the 2012 Games, Essex County Council added:

“It is fantastic that people of all ages and abilities have taken part in the challenge cup today and have been inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is events like these that will continue to nurture home-grown talent in Essex and perhaps even produce future Paralympians“.