Press Releases Archive

06/07/2005

Scouts are prepared for the 2012 London Olympics

Scouts in the United Kingdom are looking forward to the Olympic Games coming to London in 2012. Early on in the bid preparation process the London bid team consulted The Scout Association about their experience in using volunteer teams to organise large international events.

Chief Executive of UK Scouting Derek Twine said: “Magical opportunities for young people, passionate volunteers and an inspiring legacy for the future, these are at the core of Scouting’s worldwide values and at the heart of the Olympic experience. Scouting’s experience of working with young people from all faiths using a massive volunteer team of adults will have a great part to play in the success of the London games. We are really proud to be associated with the 2012 Games in the UK.”

The Bid team was interested to learn about and keen to use Scouting’s expertise in recruiting, training and deploying volunteers to support the Games. Specific roles include Scouting volunteers providing marshalling and stewarding at the various events, providing performers for the ceremonies, helping with support roles with the various teams, and assisting at medal presentations. During the 2004 Athens Games, Greek Scouting participated fully in all of these aspects in the organisation of the event, and they also helped to organise the “Torch Processions” before the event.

Derek added, “Being a Scout is all about adventure. Being part of the 2012 event will be an inspirational experience for our Members. We plan to involve Scouts from across the UK, and beyond in supporting these Games.” Derek went on to say, “We are confident that we can support the 2012 team using our extensive network of over 100,000 adult volunteers. In just three weeks time (29 th July to 10 th August) UK Scouting will host EuroJam, the UK’s largest residential youth event to take place in the UK for nearly 50 years with over 10,000 young people attending the event representing nearly 60 countries across the world. Then, in 2007 the UK will host the World Scout Jamboree for 40,000 young people from 216 countries and territories around the world. This event has more participants than the Olympics and will be one of the many events to mark World Scouting’s centenary.”