The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) announced today that an Olympic Handover Flag will be raised at the Civic Centre in Ashford at 2pm on Sunday 24th August, to celebrate the moment when London becomes the official Olympic Games Host City.

A first in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the iconic London Olympic Handover Flag will be raised in Ashford simultaneously with regions around the UK.

The Olympic Handover Flag in Ashford will be one of over 500 flags delivered to locations including HM Armed Forces, embassies around the world, City Halls, British Council offices and Foreign and Commonwealth offices.

Councillor Gerry Clarkson, portfolio holder for Cultural Services, said: “It is a tremendous honour for Ashford to be included in the celebrations that mark London as the official host for the Olympic Games in 2012, and we hope that as many people as possible will be with us at the Civic Centre to witness this very special occasion.

“Ashford is best placed to support the London 2012 Olympic Games, offering fantastic training facilities for some very talented athletes, like our cyclist Jamie Staff, who recently won a Gold Medal at the Beijing Games.”

Nick Boylan, Great Britain Swimming Captain for people with learning disabilities, will be on hand to help raise the Olympic Handover Flag for Ashford. Nick said: “I am extremely proud to be involved with this historic event.

Nick, who is a sporting ambassador for Active Ashford, the Borough’s Sports Partnership, will be hoping to add to his already impressive trophy haul, which includes winning two Gold Medals at the 2006 European Championships in the 200m backstroke and breaststroke disciplines.

He added: “One of my ambitions is to compete at the London 2012 Paralympics so it is especially pleasing to be raising the flag in Ashford on behalf of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Mark Carty, head of Cultural Services at Ashford Borough Council, said: “Ashford has a great sporting tradition and it has always been a focus area for the council. At the Beijing Games we have already seen one Ashfordian, Jamie Staff, win a gold medal in the Cycling Team Sprint and we are all rooting for Lisa Dobriskey in the women’s 1500m.

“Shortlisted for possible pre-Games training camps for London 2012, the Stour Centre, Julie Rose Stadium, Great Chart Golf & Leisure and Chilham Equestrian Centre are just four of the first-class facilities in the borough, and we hope this will help many more athletes from the area to compete for medals in four years’ time.”

The Stour Centre will be marking this special occasion with a “free swim” day.

Date:     Sunday 24th August 2008

Time:     2pm to 3pm

Venue: Ashford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Tannery Lane, Ashford, Kent TN23 1PL

The schedule for the ceremony is as follows:

2.00pm Meet at the Stour Centre

2.10pm Drinks

2.25pm Welcome by Cllr Clarkson (portfolio holder for Cultural Services)

2.30pm Nick Boylan, Sporting Ambassador, to raise the flag; Mayor of Ashford, Cllr John Link, will be   presenting a cheque to Nick for future development, on behalf of Ashford Borough Council

2.35pm Closing speech by Mark Carty, head of Cultural Services

Media Release 0223/08

20/08/08