Trafalgar Square is to host London's own sporting extravaganza to mark the opening of the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson is inviting Londoners and visitors to watch the stunning opening ceremony of the Games on a giant outdoor screen in the iconic square and try their hand at a range of ‘virtual’ winter sports.
A four-metre high ice sculpture of the five Olympic rings will complete the sporting celebration next Saturday (February 13th).
Visitors to the Square will be able to experience the exhilaration of downhill slalom skiing, snowboarding, bobsleighing and a range of other interactive winter sports games, courtesy of SEGA. Both Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360 games consoles will be located in 10 pods on the Square. Those demonstrating interactive sporting prowess will be picked by members of the SEGA team to compete against each other in front of thousands as their virtual skills are relayed on to the outdoor screen. Great prizes will be awarded to the winners.
Following two weeks of Winter Games in Vancouver, Richmond and Whistler, the spotlight and focus of the world turns to London for the 2012 Summer Games.
Already our preparations are on budget, on time and in some cases ahead of schedule. Over the next two years, in addition to the huge economic and regeneration benefits for the capital, the Mayor will use the 2012 Games to promote London around the world as the best place to live, visit, work and invest.
Mayor Boris Johnson said: “Vancouver 2010 is at the end of its long and exciting journey to stage the greatest winter sporting event on the planet. On behalf of London I wish our Canadian friends a fantastic Winter Games.
"With a huge sense of excitement, tinged with some trepidation, I also welcome the fact that the world is now turning its attention to our capital, as the most amazing sports extravaganza on the planet will soon be upon us.
"Next weekend, Trafalgar Square will be bursting with excitement as we watch the world’s elite winter sports athletes proudly represent their countries ahead of the biggest physical and mental challenge of their lives. Whilst we can not bring the snowy slopes of Whistler to London, we are offering a fantastic day of interactive fun and competition to the heart of the host city of the next summer games.”
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