Mini Olympics comes to Amber Valley
Beijing may be in the spotlight as the location for the 2008 Olympic Games but, closer to home, Amber Valley is hosting this year’s international Mini Olympics.
The event is taking place between Sunday, June 22 and Sunday, June 29, with a range of sporting activities being held at venues throughout the Borough.
Eight members of the Amber Valley team have been selected from scores of young people currently enrolled on the Borough Council’s Sports Leadership Development Programme.
They will join teenagers from Laholm in Sweden and Glogow in Poland to form mixed nationality teams, taking part in sports such as orienteering, athletics and basketball.
Councillor Norman Bull, Cabinet Member for Well-Being at Amber Valley Borough Council said: “The Council worked with civic officials in Sweden and Poland to organise the first Mini Olympics back in 2002, and we’re delighted that the event has continued to go from strength to strength.
“This is the second time that we’ve hosted the Olympics here in Amber Valley, and we’ve got a great range of sporting and cultural activities lined up that will give the young participants the opportunity to work together, learn new skills together and develop friendships. We wish them all the best of luck.”
Cabinet Support Member Councillor Chris Short added: “The aim of the annual Mini Olympics event has always been to encourage harmony between young people from different European cultures through contact, learning and experience. We are pleased to welcome the teams from Sweden and Poland and hope they have a great time during their stay in Amber Valley.”