Olympic party at The O2

By Simon Hayes on August 22, 2008 3:28 PM |

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With London set to take become the Olympic host city this Sunday, August 24, celebrations across the capital are being planned.

And Greenwich's own Olympic venue, The O2, is taking part when it hosts a handover party on Sunday afternoon.

Thousands of local residents are expected to take part in the free event, which includes a co-ordinated sing-along to mark the end of the Beijing Games and the start of the London Olympiad.

There will be plenty going on for everyone to enjoy, including a jazz and samba band accompanied by carnival dancers, roaming artists, giant puppets, Chinese acrobats and other street entertainers.

Sporting activities will feature a football shooting competition run by Charlton Athletic, a gymnastics display, demonstrations by local sports clubs, judo, tae kwon do, fencing, as well as health and fitness information stands.

A giant screen will enable visitors will be able to watch the closing ceremony in Beijing, when the Olympic flag is passed to the Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

The O2 will host gymnastics, badminton and the basketball final during the 2012 Games. A separate purpose-built arena will be constructed next door for the Olympic rhythmic gymnastics and the Paralympic sitting volleyball.

The event, organised by Greenwich Council and The O2, will run between 1pm and 4pm at the London Piazza.