VENEZUELA: OLYMPICS - Venezuelan children mark 100 days to the start of the 2012 London Olympics

Record ID: 330666

  • Title: VENEZUELA: OLYMPICS - Venezuelan children mark 100 days to the start of the 2012 London Olympics
  • Date: 19th April 2012
  • Summary: PERSON HOLDING OLYMPIC FLAG
  • Embargoed: 4th May 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
  • Country: Venezuela
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVACA733IHI5IGN6YPP02ROEV134
  • Story Text: There are just 100 days to the start of the 2012 London Games and 100 British embassies around the world hosted mock 100-meter runs to celebrate the countdown to the Olympic Games.
    In Caracas, school children between the ages of 12 and 14 took to the track to show off their athletic abilities at the National Brigido Iriarte Stadium.
    British Ambassador to Venezuela Catherine Nettleton said the event was part of a worldwide celebration.
    "Here in Caracas we are celebrating, the British Embassy together with the Ministry of Sport, we're celebrating the 100 days to go. Another 99 British Embassies around the world will be doing something similar with ministries of sport and Olympic committees around the world. So the idea is that we are all celebrating together the 100 days to go," Nettleton said.
    Organizers also unveiled the 2012 motto - "Inspire a Generation" - saying they want a new generation of youngsters to get inspired by the Games and follow a more active life or even aim to become professional athletes themselves.
    In a recent visit to London, IOC chiefs declared the city as ready to host the Games, with the building of the venues complete.
    "London will be welcoming athletes from around the world to facilities that will help them do the best they possibly can and get the most out of these Olympic Games," Nettleton added.
    Venezuelan Olympic athletes also took part in the fun as they prepare for this summer's games.
    Long jumper Nunis Tovar said he and the other Venezuelan athletes were training hard.
    "We are preparing now and strengthening up to be at the top of the remaining competitions," Tovar said.
    The 2012 London Olympic Games will start on July 27 and will run until August 12. The Paralympic Games begin just a few weeks later on August 29, running until September 9.
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