6 Mar 2007

London Olympics 2012 - More Than Gold


Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has joined other English Church leaders in welcoming the ‘More Than Gold’ initiative at its launch on 26th February 2007. ‘More Than Gold’ will see Churches working together to serve sport and the community in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The ‘More Than Gold’ launch at Westminster Central Hall was also attended by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and former Cabinet minister Lord Brian Mawhinney. Speaking at the launch, Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor said: “I see the establishing of ‘More Than Gold’ as a push to the Christians of London, and across all the venues across the country where events will be held, to make a real contribution to the lives of those who will be our guests and our friends during the time of our games.”

‘More Than Gold’ will build on the experience of Churches supporting the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester in seeking to serve forthcoming major sporting events leading up to the London Games in 2012 and potentially beyond. In supporting the values of sport and the 2012 Games, ‘More Than Gold’ will focus on the four themes upon which the Olympic 2012 bid was made:

- Delivering an experience of a lifetime for athletes- Leaving a legacy for sport in Britain- Benefiting the community through regeneration- Supporting the IOC and the Olympic Movement.

In helping to fulfil these aims, Churches and Christian agencies hope to develop good relationships with the relevant authorities and ensure that, where appropriate, there will be an inter-faith dimension to their work.

No comments: