Public take the London 2012 Open Weekend challenge

Today triple jump champion, Jonathan Edwards CBE, faced 19 year old British table tennis pro, Darius Knight, at Tate Modern in the most challenging ping pong match ever, to launch the start of London 2012 Open Weekend, 23rd-25th July, 2010. Photos from the launch can be downloaded from this link: http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/locog?nav=pr139350854

With the fresh theme of ‘challenge yourself’, the Passport to Pingland table-tennis event is one of more than 900 events taking place across the UK as part of the Cultural Olympiad initiative, where organisations have set public challenges at each of their events, creating an opportunity for everyone across the UK to set a new personal best by trying something new or taking an existing interest to the next level.

The London 2012 Open Weekend supported by BP will give people access to a range of exciting opportunities including Passport to Pingland table tennis events in London, building your own boat in Wales; bringing a giant kettle to boil via music in Milton Keynes, bicycle ballet in Manchester; running a leg in a 3k relay race in Walsall; making your own stone sundial in Souter and talent contests in Norfolk.

Full listings can be found at http://www.london2012.com/get-involved/open-weekend/.

With the support of BP, Premier Partner of the Cultural Olympiad and long-standing supporter of arts and culture in the UK, Open Weekend will take place every year until the start of the London 2012 Games.

London 2012 Chair Sebastian Coe said: ‘Open Weekend will lead the nation into the two year countdown to the start of the London 2012 Games with new personal bests being set right across the UK.

‘Open Weekend 2010 is another opportunity for thousands of people to join in with the London 2012 Games.’

Now in its third year, London 2012 Open Weekend follows the success of the past two previous years, in which over a million people across the UK unleashed their creativity across a series of sporting, art and cultural activities.

Minister for Culture, Ed Vaizey said: ’Through Open Weekend 2010 the Cultural Olympiad is bringing the inspirational power of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to life in communities across the UK. Open Weekend gives people the chance to challenge themselves and their friends and neighbours to achieve new and unusual personal firsts and bests in music, dance, performance and sport.

‘With only two years to go until the 2012 Games the range of exciting events taking place across towns, cities and villages this weekend shows that the Games is an event that people across the country can enjoy and be part of .’

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'With only two years to go to the biggest sport and cultural spectacle in the world, the excitement is building in London and around the UK.

‘Open Weekend is about everyone enjoying the spirit of London 2012 by taking part in an eclectic and challenging variety of activities up and down the country. Whether it's whiff-whaff or bicycle-ballet, I hope people will feel inspired to get involved.'

Peter Mather, Regional Vice President, Europe, & Head of Country, UK, BP said: ‘BP is delighted to support Open Weekend again in 2010. We’ve been working closely with LOCOG to build on last year’s success and look forward to seeing hundreds of excellent events across the UK, all inspired by London 2012.’

Photos of sport stars taking up Open Weekend cultural challenges can be downloaded from this link:

http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/locog?nav=pr138016631

For more information contact: the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100

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