Council bosses show the importance of the Olympics to Islington — by unfurling the London 2012 flag on top of the Town Hall.
Cllr James Kempton, Leader of Islington Council, and Cllr Ruth Polling, Islington Council's Executive Member for Leisure and Equalities, hoisted the banner to raise awareness about opportunities for the borough and show the council's support for the Games.
Ruth said: "We have great hopes for the 2012 Games. In Islington we want it to be about more than just XXXXXXXXXX sport and want it to bring opportunities for young people and those in the most deprived communities.
"We're already spending millions on improving council leisure centres to provide the first-class sports facilities our residents deserve.
"Over the next few years we'll be using the Olympics to get more residents involved in sports and culture, raise aspirations in XXXX, increase jobs and training, and improve the appearance of Islington.
"This is a really exciting time for London as we become the Olympic city and we want to it to be an exciting time for Islington too."
The flag will remain on the building until September 26. It follows the raising of the flag in Elthorne Park, Archway, at a local sports event last week.
This took place at the same time as the handover of the Olympic flag in Beijing, with the participation of David Beckham, Leona Lewis and Islington-based dance company Candoco.
* For more information about Islington's plans for London 2012 visit www.islington.gov.uk/leisure/olympics, email john.thorne@islington.gov.uk or call 020 7527 7096
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For more information on this press release please call Chris Weeks on 020 7527 3032
PICTURE CAPTION: Cllr James Kempton, Leader of Islington Council, and Cllr Ruth Polling, Islington Council's Executive member for Leisure and Equalities, raising flag on roof of Town Hall.
Page Last Updated: 01 September 2008