News, June 2011

World record broken for the largest human Olympic rings
On 23 June George Abbot School pupils and a number of guests broke the world record for the largest human Olympic rings. Setting the record at 1,900 people, the event saw a celebration of the 400-day countdown to the London 2012 Olympic Games and also marked the end of the 2011 P&G Surrey School Games. Team GB athletes and the London 2012 mascots Wenlock and Mandeville were also there to show their support.

Surrey representatives visit the Olympic Park
On Friday 17 June 2011 a group of representatives from across Surrey travelled to Stratford, East London, to see how the Olympic Park is progressing in time for London 2012. Amy Tomlins from the 2012 Team at Surrey County Council was part of the tour group.

Nigerian Olympic team to train in Surrey
On 24 June 2011 representatives from the Nigerian Olympic Committee and Surrey signed an agreement that will see the Nigerian team train within the county prior to London 2012. The Nigerian visitors were delighted with Surrey's excellent training facilities and are aiming to make an impact in the London 2012 Games.

Blog from Surrey Young Leaders
In 2011 Surrey's members for the volunteering scheme the 'Young Leaders Programme' have applied their skills in a number of projects that have benefited their local communities. In addition to eventually volunteering at the London 2012 Games, the young leaders have enhanced their own lives through a number of exciting volunteering projects in the build up to the Games. Surrey Young Leaders Fran Strange, Alice Gibbs and Tanya Kemp report on their progress and how this has made an impact on their lives.

BBC blog on watching the Olympic Games for free in Surrey
BBC Sports journalist Matt Slater writes on the benefits of watching up to four London 2012 Olympic events for free. For those who have missed the chance of obtaining London 2012 tickets, there is still the option of watching the Marathon, Triathlon or even the Cycling Road Race and Time Trial without paying a penny. Roughly 50% of both Cycling events will be in Surrey, this will be a bonus for the lucky Surrey residents wanting to watch from the comfort of their own gardens. Read more.

Surrey Workplace Cycle Challenge
With the county feeling the excitement of the Olympic Cycling events coming to Surrey next year, more people are joining the Surrey Workplace Cycle Scheme. This scheme aims to get Surrey's workers involved in a cycling challenge and compete against professional rivals.

ITV follows GB men's Hockey squad to the Netherlands
Along with the rest of the GB squad, Surbiton Hockey Club's Richard Alexander, Matt Daly and frequent goal scorer James Tindall are featured on the ITV programme East End Hockey Tour. Watch their progress on ITV player.

Surrey Paralympic hopeful leaves full time work to concentrate on training
Paralympic runner Sophia Warner has taken the step to leave full time employment to train for the London 2012 Games. Sophia has made a number of achievements in recent competitions and is now focusing her time on training for up to 30 hours a week.

Over 50 Surrey schools and colleges are 'Get Set' for London 2012
The number of schools and colleges in Surrey getting involved with London 2012 is growing. So far there are over 50 schools and colleges that have joined the 'Get Set' education network. Find out more about how Surrey's children and young people will potentially benefit from the values of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Q&A with Surrey athletes. Emily Randall
With the 2011 P&G Surrey School Games drawing to a climatic close this month, who better to feature in our monthly Q&A articles than one of Surrey's most successful international junior athletes. Competing regularly in the Team GB Synchronised Swimming squad, Emily Randall has proven to be a key up and coming athlete in the world of aquatic sports. At the age of 14, Emily will serve as a great inspiration to budding athletes in her age group.

2012 Olympic and Paralympic boat project sets sail for Guildford
Here is an opportunity for you to be part of an exciting 2012 Cultural Olympiad project. Organised by Lone Twin, the boat project is set to come to the Lockwood Centre in Guildford on 26 June. The team want you to donate personal bits of wood towards the boat. Whether it be something grand like a piano or something small like a pencil, this is your chance to contribute something personal to you towards an exciting project. You will also be able to speak to the team and find out how you can become a member of the crew.

London 2012 offers first look at Olympic Torch design
Further to the announcement of the 2012 Olympic Torch relay last month, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) have now released images of the Olympic Torch design. The torch is an iconic symbol of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Take a look at the design for the torch that will carry the Olympic flame around the UK including our very own town of Guildford next year.

Nominate a Torchbearer
With the Olympic Torch coming to Guildford next year, London 2012 are looking for truly inspirational people to carry the torch during the relay around the UK. If you know someone who is an incredible and inspiring individual, this is your chance to nominate them for the opportunity of a lifetime.

Win tickets to London 2012 test events
Tickets are now on sale for the London 2012 test events and you could win ticket from further and higher education organisation, Podium. This could be your chance to witness an exciting preview of London 2012.

Jenna Randall interview with The Telegraph
Recently finding bronze medal success at the 2011 European Synchronised Swimming Championships, the Camberley resident answers a series of questions in an article with The Telegraph. Here the Commonwealth Games silver medallist tells readers of her progress towards London 2012.

Tim Brabants gold bid back on track
Olympic gold and bronze medallist, Tim Brabants MBE provides an insight to his medal hopes for London 2012 in an interview with Eurosport. Here the Chertsey born canoeist reflects on recent glories and his ambitions for future competitions.

Bid to stay in Surrey landmark buildings during the London 2012 Games
The Landmark Trust are running an auction for people to stay in landmark buildings near Olympic venues during the 2012 Games. Two of these venues are luxurious homes in Surrey and close to parts of the Olympic Cycling Road Race route. Find out how you can bid to stay in these homes.

P&G Surrey School Games heads into final month
The P&G Surrey School Games 2011 is fast approaching the climax of activity with several exciting events sure to see the 100-Day programme end in style. Salesian school currently top the medal table but with the athletics track and field finals on the 11 June having 63 separate competitions alone, all is still to play for.