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2012 Olympic Games
19/12/2008
The Scottish Government is backing a call for children born on December 20, 2004 to register to take part in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
The Children's Promise scheme offers youngsters born on the 20th day of the 12th month the chance to get involved in events and ceremonies surrounding the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Over 700 children, who will be aged seven in the summer of 2012, have been registered on the scheme to date and 33 living in Scotland have signed up so far.
To assist the London Organising Committee's planning, families with children born in the UK on December 20, 2004 now have until April 1, 2009 to register their child.
Each child could take part in the Opening or Closing Ceremonies, Team Welcome Ceremonies, or in the programme of events.
Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell said:
"With the Olympics coming to the UK in under four years, this is a great chance for children to get involved in the ceremonies and enjoy the atmosphere of the event.
"I would encourage all parents with a child born on the 20th day of the 12th month in 2004 to sign up before the deadline.
"Meanwhile this Government will work to help Scottish companies and communities benefit from sporting events such as London 2012 and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014.
"The Olympics is a stepping stone to 2014. We intend to deliver the most extensive ongoing Games Legacy the Commonwealth has ever witnessed. All of Scotland will share the benefits of the Games in Glasgow. This is about more than sport. It's about community engagement, heritage and culture. The lasting legacy will regenerate communities, create a stronger economy and a healthy confident people."
To assist the planning of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games' Culture, Ceremonies and Education team, families with children born in the UK on December 20, 2004 now have until April 1, 2009 to register their child at: www.london2012.com/childrenspromise