REBECCA ADLINGTON SOARS ABOVE LONDON’S FAMOUS SKYLINE

Double Olympic Swimming Champion Rebecca Adlington was the first onboard The National Lottery’s London 2012 Games Hot Air Balloon today as it took flight outside Tate Modern.

As the balloon rose above London’s celebrated skyline, Adlington was joined on board by eleven time Paralympic gold medallist David Roberts. The duo were on board to launch the 2011 balloon tour which celebrates National Lottery funding to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The tour aims to thank Lottery players for their investment of up to £2.2 billion into the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, having invested in venues and infrastructure, athlete preparation, grassroots sport and the Cultural Olympiad.

Speaking at the event Double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington said: “It’s great that virtually all the venues for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are already up and running with a year to go. If I qualify, competing in front of home crowds will be incredibly special and a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

“Lottery players are making a really vital contribution to London 2012. I find it staggering that they raise £28 million each week for good causes. It really helps support elite athletes like me and investment in the venues and infrastructure for the Games.”

11 times Paralympic gold medallist David Roberts added: “National Lottery funding has made a huge difference to my swimming career and helped me to continue winning medals since my Paralympic debut at the Sydney Games back in 2000.

“Without the support of the Lottery, becoming a full-time athlete would have been virtually impossible. In Paralympic sport I am proud to say Great Britain has really led the way and that is very much down to the vital funding we have received to make it happen. The prospect of a home Paralympic Games is something you can’t really fully imagine but it’s only round the corner now. It will be very special to compete on home soil and I can’t wait!”

The launch took place at Tate Modern, which is just one of London’s many iconic landmarks to have received Lottery funding.  Tate is also participating in the Cultural Olympiad, which will give people across the UK the chance to celebrate and be inspired by the Games through arts and cultural events in local communities.

Ruth Mackenzie, Director, Cultural Olympiad,  commented:  “Lottery players are making an important contribution to good causes in every part of the UK, through the Cultural Olympiad and many other initiatives.”

The National Lottery's London 2012 Games hot air balloon tour launched today at Tate Modern to thank Lottery players for their investment in London 2012.

Picture Caption: Double Olympic Champion Rebecca Adlington and 11 times Paralympic gold medallist David Roberts launch The National Lottery London 2012 Games hot air balloon tour at Tate Modern to thank lottery players for their investment in London 2012.

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For media information and images please contact Fast Track:

Amelie Hawkins: 07768293480 / amelie.hawkins@fasttrackagency.com

Nick Meakin: 07785397898 /  nick.meakin@fasttrackagency.com

Or Jessica Cain at the National Lottery Promotions Unit on 0207 211 3898 / jessica.cain@lotterygoodcauses.org.uk

 Notes to Editors:

· The National Lottery’s London 2012 Games hot air balloon tour is celebrating The National Lottery’s investment in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  The balloon will be visiting cities across the UK in the coming months, offering members of the public the opportunity to win a competition to meet local elite athletes and take a ride in the hot air balloon. 

· Up to £2.2billion of Lottery funding is being invested in venues and infrastructure, as well as supporting around 1200 elite athletes to benefit from world class coaching and support.

· Lottery funding is also being used to inspire a future generation of Olympians and Paralympians by upgrading local sports clubs and facilities, supporting local people to lead and organise local sporting activities and providing opportunities for more people to enjoy sport.

· The National Lottery is also a principal funder of the Cultural Olympiad and the London 2012 Festival, which will give people across the UK the chance to celebrate and be inspired by the Games through arts and cultural events in local communities.

· National Lottery funding to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is awarded through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, UK Sport, Sport England, Arts Council England, Legacy Trust UK, Creative Scotland, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Sportscotland, Sport Wales and Sport Northern Ireland.

· Tate Modern received over £50 million of Lottery investment for the conversion of Bankside Power Station into Tate Modern

· Tino Sehgal 2012 at Tate Modern will be among a number of projects at Tate which will be part of the London Festival 2012. To be unveiled on 17 July 2012, Sehgal’s new work will be the thirteenth to be commissioned in The Unilever Series.

· London 2012 has commissioned twelve leading contemporary artists to create the official posters for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games which will be displayed at Tate Britain as part of the London 2012 Festival.