The National Lottery’s hot air balloon visited Bellevue Park with IPC World Javelin Champion Nathan Stephens, National Paralympic Dressage Champion, Natalie Povey from Wrexham and Bala’s Rhys Davies, Canoeing Bronze World Medallist.

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

Wales will be actively involved in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the first events of the Olympic Games being football matches at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Around 1,000 elite athletes and support staff will train in Wales in the lead up to the Games, with a significant investment into the local economy. South Wales will host the Australian, New Zealand and other Oceania Paralympic teams, also the South African Paralympic team, the Irish Triathlon team and the Trinidad and Tobago team, with others yet to be announced. The Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) has also chosen to host its ‘Road to London’ preparation training camp in Cardiff.

IPC World Champion and new world record holder Nathan Stephens said: “National Lottery players should be really proud that they are supporting us to the hilt. Most of them probably don’t realise how important they are to the development of Welsh sport. Their investment allows me to train full-time and gives me the professional support to go for gold next year, I can’t wait to compete at a home Paralympic Games. The hot air balloon is a great way of celebrating how Lottery funding is helping us make our mark on the world stage.”

Natalie Povey, who is part of the Lottery-funded World Class Para Equestrian Development Programme, added, “Getting to London 2012 is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Welsh athletes. There is no bigger incentive for an athlete than the prospect of competing before your home crowd. The support I receive from the Lottery allows me to concentrate on my sporting performance. It’s exciting to think that the Games are under one year away and it’s great that Wales has a big part to play.”

Local budding young gymnasts Katie Jones and Daniel Jones of Abbey Road Accro gymnastic club, Wrexham, also met the elite athletes in the balloon basket.

Wales will welcome the Torch Relay on Friday 25 May 2012, with four overnight stops in Cardiff, Swansea, Aberystwyth and Bangor. The Cultural Olympiad will be an integral part of the 2012 Games and Wrexham Council is leading the Following the Flame project, a touring exhibition celebrating Wales’ sporting heritage and future hopes at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Many Lottery-funded events are happening across North Wales, including a pageant in Flint Castle and events in Denbigh, Caernarfon and Harlech Castles. These are part of the ambitious Cauldrons and Furnaces project.

Gwyn L Williams, Creative Programmer for Wales, London 2012 said: “The London 2012 Games with its Cultural Olympiad is engaging with thousands of young people throughout Wales. Heritage sites, venues and schools throughout North Wales are involved in shaping the cultural celebrations for the greatest show on earth. Lottery players across the UK raise over £30 million each week for Good Causes. With over £1.2 billion already invested in projects across Wales, this money is making a big difference to people and communities.”

Cllr Bob Dutton, Wrexham Council's Lead Member for Communities and Performance, said:

'We’re excited to welcome The National Lottery’s Balloon to Wrexham's Bellevue Park. The arrival of the balloon will build on and enthuse local interest and excitement for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.’

For further information, please visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk.

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Tagline: Nathan Stephens, Natalie Povey, Rhys Davies and Gwyn Williams visit Wrexham to thank Lottery players for their investment in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk for more information.

Picture Caption: Nathan Stephens, Natalie Povey, Rhys Davies and Gwyn Williams visit Wrexham to thank Lottery players for their investment in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

For media information and images please contact Fast Track:

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

Jessica Cain, National Lottery Promotions Unit: 07834 208028/ 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.

• 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, Sport Scotland, Sport Wales and Sport Northern Ireland.

• Bellevue Park has received over £400,000 of Lottery funding through Heritage Lottery Fund and Abbey Road Accro received £3,500 funding through Sport Wales.

• Following the Flame is led by Wrexham Council, and is a touring exhibition celebrating Wales’ sporting heritage and future hopes at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is part of the Power of the Flame, which is led by the Arts Council of Wales and receives Lottery funding through Legacy Trust UK.