Olympic Handover Flag to be raised at Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair to celebrate Handover Day

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games announced today that an Olympic Handover Flag will be raised at Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair to celebrate the moment when London becomes the official Olympic Games Host City, on Sunday 24th August.

A first in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the iconic London Olympic Handover Flag will be raised in Blair Atholl simultaneously with regions around the UK.

Local sports stars and potential future Olympians such as Aberfeldy rider Eilidh Grieve and William Fox Pitt will be on hand to help raise the Olympic Handover Flag for Blair Castle following the final prize giving.

The Olympic Handover Flag at Blair Castle will be one of over 500 flags delivered to locations including HM Armed Forces, embassies around the world, City Halls, British Council offices and Foreign and Commonwealth offices.

Sarah Phillips, director of the Horse Trials said, “It is a huge honour to be involved in the handover today. We are delighted to welcome past, present and hopefully potential future riders to Blair.”

Amongst the locations in the UK, Olympic Handover Flags will be raised at landmark areas such as the Unst in the Shetland Isles, the most northerly point in the UK and Land’s End in Cornwall, the most southerly point. Flags will also be raised at Lowestoft, the most easterly town in England and the Isles of Scilly, the most westerly point.

Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee, Sebastian Coe said: ‘When the Mayor of London accepts the Olympic Flag on 24th August, the eyes of the world will turn to London and the UK as the next Summer Host City. It is a very important and exciting moment for us, and we want as many people as possible to join in the Handover celebrations. We are delighted that so many local authorities share our excitement and are proudly displaying the Olympic Handover Flag to mark this very special moment on our journey to 2012.”

Councillor Chris White, Chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport board, said: “While the Olympic Games in 2012 are happening in London, it’s clear there’s strong support for them throughout the length and breadth of the country. More than 400 councils have arranged parties and flag-raising events for August 24th to mark the start of an exciting four years. Authorities are already investing in sports facilities and promoting healthier living to ensure the legacy of the Olympic Games will be long-lasting. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for every part of the country to enjoy a boom in business, tourism and sporting excellence, and councils are ready to seize the opportunity.”

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