Flying the Flag For 2012

Future stars help fly the flag

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The Borough of Rochdale flew the flag on Sunday to celebrate the official beginning of the London Olympiad in 2012.

Towns and cities across the country raised the official 2012 flag to coincide with the closing of the Beijing Olympic Games and the handing over of the flame and flag to London.

Link4Life, the Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust, marked the occasion by launching their Athlete Development Programme which will provide support for talented local athletes training for selection for the London Games as well as supporting grass roots sport for children taking their first steps into competition.

Receiving the first award was former Paralympian athlete Simon Jackson MBE, winner of 3 gold medals and 3 times World Champion, awarded his MBE in 1996 for his services to Judo. Visually disabled Simon, now retired from Judo, has recently joined the GB cycling team. Having teamed up with former world record holder Barney Storey – acknowledged as one of the best pilots in the sport – Simon caused a sensation at the Paralympic World Cup at Manchester Velodrome in May taking two Silver Medals in his first ever competition. Having narrowly missed out on the trials for Beijing he will be training hard for selection for 2012.

Simon was presented with his Talented Athlete Award by the Mayor of Rochdale together with an annual training grant of £1,000 and free membership of Link4Life’s fitness facilities together with personal training support.

Simon gave an inspiring talk to the group of young athletes attending the event just starting out on their sporting journey. They were there to receive their ‘Next Step’ Award for their participation in a recent junior Star Track Athletics course organised by Link4Life at the Springhill Arena. The youngsters heard how Simon won his first competition at Rochdale Judo Club as a young boy against sighted children. Simon talked about his two disabilities – his visual impairment and his need to win at all costs – and went on to thank the coach who spotted his talent and the rewards that came from the many hours spent in training.

A similar Talented Athlete Award will be made to former Aquabears member Keri-Anne Payne. The 21 year old Heywood-born swimmer inspired the world by taking Silver in the gruelling 10km open water event in Beijing. Keri-Anne’s parents, Pat and Jim Payne, were special guests at the event to take part in the flag flying ceremony that will mark the start of their daughter’s search for Gold in London in 2012.

Plans are now being made to give Keri-Anne a heroine’s welcome in her home town Heywood together with a formal Civic reception to be hosted by the Mayor of Rochdale.