Visit London Blog » Sport http://blog.visitlondon.com Enjoy the very best of London Fri, 17 May 2013 11:59:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Video: Olympic Park Run http://blog.visitlondon.com/2012/04/video-olympic-park-run/ http://blog.visitlondon.com/2012/04/video-olympic-park-run/#comments Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:51:39 +0000 Jenny http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=26126 Five thousand members of the public became the first people ever to cross the finishing line at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday. The Olympic Park Run was the first public event to take place at the Olympic Stadium. Participants, selected by ballot, ran a five-mile course around the Olympic Park. They were joined Princess Beatrice, a host of celebrities and some former Olympic athletes.

]]> http://blog.visitlondon.com/2012/04/video-olympic-park-run/feed/ 1 2012 Road Cycling Test Event http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/08/2012-road-cycling-test-event/ http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/08/2012-road-cycling-test-event/#comments Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:34:31 +0000 Jenny http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=22395

Thousands of spectators lined the streets of London yesterday to watch the London-Surrey Cycle Classic, a 2012 test event.

The 140 km (87 mile) route started at The Mall in Central London and passed sights including Richmond Park, Hampton Court Palace and Box Hill in Surrey.

It was a home win, as British cyclist Mark Cavendish rode to victory.

The Olympic road cycling is free to watch and takes place between 28 July and 1 August next year.

]]> http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/08/2012-road-cycling-test-event/feed/ 0 Player Draw for World Badminton Championships Announced http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/07/player-draw-for-world-badminton-championships-announced/ http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/07/player-draw-for-world-badminton-championships-announced/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:18:08 +0000 Jenny http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=22068

The countdown is on to the YONEX BWF World Badminton Championships at Wembley Arena next month as the results of the player draw for the tournament were announced this morning.

Gail Emms, former Olympic silver medallist, celebrated at the Tower of London with two Yeoman of the Guard (Beefeaters), commenting:

“The Championships are a fantastic opportunity for the public to show support for the British athletes.  With excitement building for 2012, the battle for the World Badminton Championships this year is set to be an exciting one, and I know how important our home crowd support will be in getting behind the players.  I urge all badminton fans to lift the roof of the famous Wembley Arena!”

The draw including a tough first round match for British No. 1 Rajiv Ouseph against Danish Peter Gade (who has beaten him six times in the past); Susan Egelstaff of Scotland will play Canadian Michelle Li; and in mixed doubles Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork received a bye into the second round where they will likely face Malaysian players Peng Soon Chan and Liu Ying Goh.

See full results of the draw for English and Scottish players.

YONEX BWF World Badminton Championships 2011, 8-14 Aug 2011. Buy tickets

]]> http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/07/player-draw-for-world-badminton-championships-announced/feed/ 0 Giant Chalk Badminton Players on Primrose Hill http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/07/giant-chalk-badminton-players-on-primrose-hill/ http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/07/giant-chalk-badminton-players-on-primrose-hill/#comments Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:15:29 +0000 Jenny http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=21950 Chalk figure Giant shuttlecock Two figures

Two giant chalk badminton players were drawn on Primrose Hill this morning to celebrate the YONEX BWF World Badminton Championships 2011, which comes to London next month.

The 50 ft (15m) figures took four hours to complete and were brought to life by a giant shuttlecock which was manouevred between them.

The shuttlecock, which clocks in at over 10ft (3m) tall and weighs more than 4.7 stone (30kgs), later appeared in other locations including Regent Street and Wembley Arena (where the championships are being held).

The YONEX BWF World Badminton Championships, 8-14 August 2011. Book tickets

]]> http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/07/giant-chalk-badminton-players-on-primrose-hill/feed/ 2 Video of the Week: Archive Footage of Wimbledon http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/07/video-of-the-week-archive-footage-of-wimbledon/ http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/07/video-of-the-week-archive-footage-of-wimbledon/#comments Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:00:51 +0000 Jenny http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=21888 It’s the most exciting weekend of the year for tennis fans in London as the Wimbledon finals take place.

We love this archive footage, from British Pathe, of Wimbledon finals since 1910. There’s lots to spot in this film including the outfits, the rackets, the change from black and white to technicolour and the Queen Mother!

]]> http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/07/video-of-the-week-archive-footage-of-wimbledon/feed/ 0 Badminton World Record Attempt at The O2 http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/06/badminton-world-record-attempt-at-the-o2/ http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/06/badminton-world-record-attempt-at-the-o2/#comments Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:15:35 +0000 Jenny http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=21485

This Friday The O2 is hosting an attempt to break the world record for the largest sports lesson in the world, led by badminton star and former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Donna Kellogg.

More than 900 people of all ages are needed to take part and anyone who’d like to volunteer can register in advance or sign up on the day.

The world record attempt is one of a series of events during London Badminton Week (30 May-5 June 2011) designed to encourage more people into the sport as London hosts the Yonex BWF World Badminton Championships 2011 at Wembley Arena this August.

Register for the Guinness World Record attempt, 3 June, The O2

]]> http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/06/badminton-world-record-attempt-at-the-o2/feed/ 0 London 2012 Paralympics Prices Announced http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/05/london-2012-paralympics-prices-announced/ http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/05/london-2012-paralympics-prices-announced/#comments Wed, 11 May 2011 14:00:53 +0000 Jenny http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=21025

Ticket prices for the London 2012 Paralympic Games have been revealed.

Two million tickets will be available, with half of them costing £10 or less. More than 95% of  all the tickets on offer cost £50 or less.

Tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies start from £20.12, with the most expensive tickets priced at £500 for the opening ceremony.

Tickets for spectators who are under 16 or over 60 on 29 August 2012 start from just £5.

The Paralympic Games takes place between 29 August and 9 September 2012. There will be 20 sports taking place at 19 venues.

Tickets to the Paralympic Games go on sale on 9 September 2011. Register for more information about Paralympic Games tickets.

]]> http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/05/london-2012-paralympics-prices-announced/feed/ 0 Support London’s Bid for the Where Else But England Crown http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/03/support-london%e2%80%99s-bid-for-the-where-else-but-england-crown/ http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/03/support-london%e2%80%99s-bid-for-the-where-else-but-england-crown/#comments Fri, 11 Mar 2011 11:00:25 +0000 Rebecca http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=20161 Our friends at VisitEngland are once again seeking out the country’s most memorable, quirky events as part of the annual Where Else But England Award.

From Pasty Flinging Competitions to the World Egg Throwing Championships, the wacky and wonderful are being celebrated around the country. 

Visit London have nominated two of London’s own events in the capital; the annual Peter Pan Cup (a Christmas morning swimming race  in the icy Serpentine waters) and new urban adventure, the Soldier Challenge (an obstacle-filled race involving abseiling, crawling and kayaking through the streets of London).

Vote now to ensure London’s place on the shortlist!

]]> http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/03/support-london%e2%80%99s-bid-for-the-where-else-but-england-crown/feed/ 0 Olympic Velodrome: First 2012 Venue Completed http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/02/olympic-velodrome-first-2012-venue-completed/ http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/02/olympic-velodrome-first-2012-venue-completed/#comments Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:27:27 +0000 Jenny http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=19595

The Olympic velodrome was officially opened today, making it the first Olympic Park venue to be completed.

The 6,000 seat velodrome will be the venue for indoor cycling and BMX events at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy rode on the completed track, along with Beijing medal winners Victoria Pendleton and Jason Kenny.

The velodrome has been praised for its architecture and is known as “The Pringle” due to the roof’s distinctive curved shape.

After the Games, the velodrome will be used by both athletes and the local community. Facilities will include a café, bike hire and a cycle workshop.

]]> http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/02/olympic-velodrome-first-2012-venue-completed/feed/ 4 Video of the Week: Get Fit in the Royal Parks http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/02/video-of-the-week-get-fit-in-the-royal-parks/ http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/02/video-of-the-week-get-fit-in-the-royal-parks/#comments Sun, 20 Feb 2011 15:00:40 +0000 Zoe Craig http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=19570

Here’s a great video courtesy of the Royal Parks’ fantastic YouTube channel.

If you aren’t up for getting / keeping fit in 2011, maybe this will provide you with the inspiration!

Read more about London’s Royal Parks

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