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Centre Square is the place to be for the Olympic Games

Published 24th Jul 2012

Excited for London 2012

Excitement is mounting as the start of the Olympics nears – and Middlesbrough’s Centre Square is the place to enjoy every memorable moment.

The Big Screen in Centre Square is one of 22 official Live Sites around the country for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and it will beam comprehensive daily coverage of the historic sporting events in to central Middlesbrough.

A host of colourful events in Centre Square will generate a carnival atmosphere to celebrate the games and get people involved in sport.

Every day from 11am to 8pm the site will be adorned with Olympic flags and banners and huge bean bags and deckchairs to sit and enjoy the action.

Football starts the Games on the Big Screen tomorrow (Wednesday, July 25) with the Team GB women taking on New Zealand at 4pm and the men’s team take on Senegal on Thursday at 8pm.

Then on Friday morning at 08.12am a unique sound event called ‘All the Bells’ will herald the start of the games.

Developed by Turner Prize Winner Martin Creed ‘All the Bells’ will see people across the country ringing as many bells as possible for three minutes to mark the start of the Olympic Games.

All Saints Bells outside McDonald’s in Middlesbrough will be participating.

Anyone with any bells is being encouraged to come to Centre Square and take part in this fun national event. People can use their bike bells, mobile ringtones – the possibilities are endless!

The London 2012 Opening Ceremony will start on the Big Screen at 5pm on Friday (July 27) and song sheets will be handed out to encourage people to sing along with the opening ceremony and its theme of 'Green and Pleasant'.

This weekend’s action features rowing, swimming, archery, cycling and tennis.

On Saturday (July 28) Middlesbrough medal hopeful Aimee Wilmott will be competing in the pool at around 11.50am and later our cycling giants Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish take to the track.

The Amateur Swimming Association will be in Centre Square from 10am to 4pm from Saturday to Monday with life size photo cuts outs of Rebecca Adlington and Liam Tancock for the public to get fun photos with.

They will also be handing out information about local clubs and swimming opportunities.

British Cycling will be starting a bike ride from Centre Square at 12 noon on Saturday (July 28) and will be back in the square to cheer on Mark Cavendish and Team GB in the velodrome from 2pm.

Also from Friday (July 27) to Sunday (July 29) the Cadbury Games Crew will be in Centre Square with games to play, hand out chocolates and celebrate when Team GB wins gold.

Throughout the period, Middlesbrough Council's Sports Development team will be activating their Sportszone area in front of the library from 1pm to 6pm every weekday and 1pm to 5pm on the weekend, with have-a-go sessions for all, relevant to the Olympic sports on the Big Screen.

The Olympic and Paralympic Flags will be flown from the Town Hall over the period of the games.

Judith Croft, Middlesbrough Council’s Event Manager, said: “Centre Square will be a hub of activity, sport fun and colour over the period of the Olympics and we are encouraging people to come down, get involved and enjoy the spectacle of the games on the Big Screen.

“We are especially looking forward to cheering on our local athletes starting with Aimee Wilmott on Saturday morning.

“It promises to be an exciting couple of weeks and some medals for our local athletes would be the icing on the cake.”

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