National Lottery's London 2012 Hot Air Balloon to visit Cardiff

Paul Dancey on 26/07/2010

On the 22nd July 2010, the National Lottery's London 2012 Games Hot Air Balloon took off from the heart of the Olympic Park, and will now embark on a nationwide tour this summer.

Lifting off at the Olympic Park, the hot air balloon took its first tethered flight with Olympic canoeing gold medallist, Tim Brabants, Olympic gymnastics bronze medallist, Louis Smith and Olympic 400m hurdles bronze medallist, Tasha Danvers on-board. The hot air balloon will visit cities throughout the UK, giving members of the public the chance to fly in the balloon, accompanied by elite athletes.

The tour has been arranged to thank Lottery players for their contribution to London 2012 and to highlight the role that people from across the UK will play in helping to host the world’s greatest sporting event.

The National Lottery is contributing up to £2.2 billion to fund the infrastructure and the venues for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and their legacy, as well as enabling around 1,400 talented British athletes to benefit from world-class coaching and support through UK Sport's World Class Performance Programme.

Peter Keen, Director of Performance at UK Sport, said: "Lottery funding has changed the face of sport in the UK and has contributed to a total of 438 Olympic and Paralympic medals for Great Britain since 1997. The hot air balloon tour is a great way for the public to meet local elite athletes, and for those athletes to be able to thank Lottery players for their support."

Olympic gold medallist, Tim Brabants said, "Lottery players are making a vital contribution to both athletes like me and the development of the London 2012 venues and their legacy. This hot air balloon is just one way of celebrating their support of the world’s largest sporting event coming to the UK."

The National Lottery’s hot air balloon will visit Cardiff on 14 September 2010, and members of the public can apply to win a chance to fly in the balloon with Welsh elite athletes. Details of the competitions will be available in advance through local press.

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

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