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School Games off starting blocks School Games off starting blocks
(about 6 hours later)
Olympic rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave and Chancellor Gordon Brown head a list of VIPs at the opening of the inaugural UK School Games. Olympic rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave has met Chancellor Gordon Brown at the launch of the inaugural UK School Games.
The Glasgow event will see more than 1,000 able-bodied and disabled children from across the UK compete from Thursday until Sunday. The three-day event in Glasgow sees more than 1,000 children from across the UK competing in a range of sports.
Youngsters aged between 12 and 18 will be taking part. Sir Steve, a five-times Olympic gold medallist for rowing, examined the games facilities at Scotstoun Stadium.
It is the first in a series of school games to be held across the country in the run-up to the 2012 London Olympics. It is the first in a series of annual School Games to be held in the run-up to the 2012 London Olympics.
Those taking part will compete for medals in athletics, table tennis, gymnastics, fencing and swimming. Able-bodied and disabled youngsters will take part in a host of activities, including athletics, table tennis, gymnastics, fencing and swimming during the games.
It is the first in a series of annual School Games to be held across the country in the run-up to 2012 London Olympics. 'Rewarding experience'
As well as an appearance from five-times gold medallist Sir Steve, the contest will also see inspirational visits from other Olympic heroes including double gold medallist Kelly Holmes; swimming champion David Wilkie and world champion runner Liz McColgan. Sir Steve said: "I have been extremely impressed with the organisation of the UK School Games.
This experience will hopefully inspire many to go on to further greatness on the world stage - and in London 2012 Richard CabornUK Sports Minister "It would have been magnificent for me to have had a competition like this when I was a young, aspiring athlete.
To give the competitors an Olympic flavour, the games will feature an opening ceremony at Glasgow's Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre and a closing ceremony at the city's Science Museum. "I'm sure the 1,000 children who are here in Glasgow to compete will have a rewarding experience which can only help them in their development."
All the athletes will be put up in a mini athletes village in Glasgow. As well as an appearance from Sir Steve, the contest will see inspirational visits from other Olympic heroes including double gold medallist Kelly Holmes, swimming champion David Wilkie and world champion runner Liz McColgan.
Athletics events - comprising disciplines such as 100 and 200 metres, hurdles, pole vault, shot put and wheelchair races - will take place at Scotstoun on Saturday and Sunday. The games will cost about £1.5m to stage and are being funded by the Millennium Commission.
Swimming will be held at Tollcross pool on Saturday, with gymnastics at Kelvin Hall on the same day. Sir Steve was also attending a special opening ceremony at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre later.
'Showcase for future' Scottish Sports Minister Patricia Ferguson, her Westminster counterpart Richard Caborn and Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, were also making speeches at the event.
It is costing an estimated £1.5m to stage and is being funded by the Millennium Commission. The games' closing ceremony will take place at Glasgow's Science Centre on Sunday.
UK Sports Minister Richard Caborn and his Scottish counterpart Patricia Ferguson will join Sir Steve and Mr Brown at the launch at Scotstoun Leisure Centre.
Mr Caborn said the event represented a significant step forward for competitive school sport.
He added: "It will be the showcase for our future Olympic and Paralympic champions.
"This experience will hopefully inspire many to go on to further greatness on the world stage - and in London 2012."
Ms Ferguson said: "It will be a great experience for the hundreds of children taking part.
"Scotland loves to compete and we love to support our athletes as they push themselves to the limit."