Hampshire Now - your County Council magazine

London 2012 Olympic celebrations in Hampshire

Olympic winner

Want to celebrate the Olympics? Get stuck in to activities across Hampshire!





Where to see the torch in Hampshire

The Olympic torch spends more time in Hampshire than in any other county – so get ready to cheer it on! Be sure to check the map though if you’re coming to watch. The torch is only carried by torchbearers when it goes through the communities that are clearly marked. Between these places, the torch is carried in a van.

Choosing your spot to view the torch

Large crowds and heavy traffic are expected in some parts of the towns the torch will be visiting, so please plan ahead. To see a detailed map of where the torchbearers run in your local town, and for information about transport, parking and local torch celebrations, please visit the website of your local district, borough or city council.

Find tips and toolkits to organise a street party or other celebration for friends and neighbours.

Here’s a flavour of what’s happening – but find the full details of these and many more events

Hampshire Welcomes the Torch: Royal Victoria Country Park

On Saturday 14 July, from 11am to 6pm, Royal Victoria Country Park will be a great place to welcome the torch back from the Isle of Wight, as it passes by ferry.

This free event will be an opportunity to try out a variety of activities such as walking, running, cycling, tai chi, rock climbing and more. You’ll also be able to help create a giant mosaic display on the lawns of Royal Victoria Country Park for all to see!

A number of visitors will also be able to go to the top of the Chapel Tower to cheer on the Olympic torch as it sails up Southampton Water in the early evening – book early to avoid disappointment.

Visit the Hampshire Welcomes the Torch webpages for more information

Watch the Games at Winchester Live

Winchester Cathedral Outer Close will play host to a giant outdoor screen showing live BBC coverage throughout the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The screen is one of only 16 community live sites in the country, so come along for a family picnic and watch our GB athletes win some medals.

More information:

Winchester Live is open daily from 10am to finish: 27 July to 12 August – London 2012 Olympic Games

29 August to 9 September – London 2012 Paralympic Games

Portsmouth also has a ‘live site’ showing the Games on a giant screen.

Sporting events and outdoor activities

Schools, local clubs and councils across Hampshire are leading a wealth of sports days, active challenges and inclusive sport events to make sure everyone gets out and about. There are even five circular walks for you to discover around Hampshire’s footpaths, representing the Olympic rings.

Sporting events continue throughout the summer - see the full events calendar and details of local walks and cycle routes online. Your local district, borough or city council will also have listings of events specific to your area.

Exhibitions, talks and films

Hampshire’s cultural venues are celebrating the Olympics with a look back at the stories from previous Olympic years in the county.

Olympic inspiration in Hampshire schools

Hampshire’s children and young people have been totally inspired by London 2012. Here’s a flavour of what they’ve been getting up to in our schools:

Hampshire Welcomes the World

Concerts showcasing music from all five continents taking part in the Games, in which Hampshire children are both composers and performers. Over the last year, professional composers have been touring schools to hone the young composers’ creative talents!

‘Rings’

Olympic-inspired art by Hampshire schoolchildren. See the exhibition of colourful textile rings when it tours Winchester Discovery Centre, The Great Hall in Winchester, and Milestones Museum in Basingstoke.

Make an Impact!

Secondary schools competing to leave the most lasting, positive legacy in their local community with an Olympic-inspired project. Following a public vote on the web, the five most popular projects face a Grand Final competition in July. The winning projects will receive funding to help ensure they leave a lasting legacy to the community.