2012 Design Competition Launched for UK Schools
Date Published: 10/09/2007
The ‘VeloDream’ competition – a UK schools competition for pupils to design their own dream Olympic cycling venues of the future - was launched by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) today giving schools throughout the East of England the chance to get involved in the excitement of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
A world-class Velodrome and BMX facilities will host the track and BMX events during 2012 and after the Games, a road cycle circuit and mountain biking facilities will be added to create a legacy VeloPark.
The VeloDream competition launched today for school children aged 5 – 16, is asking schools to tap into the creative talents of their pupils to design their own dream VeloPark to host the cycling sports of a future Games.
Schoolchildren have a blank canvas to work with and their VeloPark designs can be illustrations, paintings, drawings, photos, computer images, presentations and even films. The competition has been planned to complement the Design and Technology school curriculum. Information packs developed with The Design & Technology Association are now available to download from the London 2012 website to help teachers and pupils bring the VeloDream competition to their school.
The VeloDream competition was launched today with more than 180 schools around the country already signed up to take part. Schools have until the end of November to submit their design entries after which regional judging will take place with a panel including design experts and young people.
A winning primary and secondary school from each region will be selected for the competition final early next year where a primary and secondary school will be announced as national winners. The prize for the two winning schools will include the unique opportunity to work with the 2012 VeloPark designers, and learn at first-hand how to create a world-class sports venue.
David Higgins, Olympic Delivery Authority Chief Executive, said:
“Youth participation, world-class sport and design excellence are all at the heart of our plans for 2012 so the VeloDream competition is a great way to bring these elements together in the classroom and inspire schoolchildren around the country. Young people have the chance to let their imagination run wild in designing their own dream VeloPark so I encourage them to get involved in the VeloDream competition today and bring the excitement of 2012 into their school.”
Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London Organising Committee, said:
“One of our key goals for London 2012 is to inspire young people, and make it ‘everyone’s games’. This is one of many initiatives we are working on to capture the imagination of young people on the road to 2012.”
Shaun Dawson, Chief Executive Lee Valley Regional Park Authority said:
“This is a great competition; it is a chance to get young people from across the country inspired in sport and involved in the future vision for sport. Getting schools to design their dream Olympic venues is exactly what the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are about – the future. We want children to get involved and show us the heights their creativity can reach in designing the cycling venues of the future.”
Stephen Castle, Chair of Nations and Regions East said:
“This is a great opportunity for children across the East of England to get involved in the excitement of 2012 and use their creative talents to go for gold in designing their dream VeloPark for a future Games. I wish all our regional schools the best of luck, and would encourage them all to get involved in this exciting project."
Olympic Cycling Champion Chris Hoy said:
“Winning gold at the Olympic Games was an unmatchable experience that will stay with me for as long as I live. The VeloDream competition presents a superb opportunity for any young person who has ever dreamed about the Olympic Games to put themselves in the shoes of a competitor, spectator and local resident — and really think about how they could enhance that experience through design. Aside from being on the track, it’s the next best thing!”
Full details about the VeloDream competition and resource packs for schools are available at www.london2012.com/velodream
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