Rotarians across Great Britain and Ireland are ready to welcome the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Many Rotarians have enjoyed the privilege of carrying the Olympic Flame on its journey to the stadium, including Mike Thorn, Rotary Club of Cheam. Some have walked, others have run, all have felt honoured to be part of the Olympic events.
Rotary offices in London are opening their doors to all during the Games, offering a relaxing place to draw breath and provide a meeting point for Rotarians who have travelled from all over the world to support their Olympic athletes.
John Minhinick, President of Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland (RIBI), says Rotary is ready to welcome all: "Rotary is always looking for ways to bring people together and the London Olympics is a marvellous way to make that happen. We have people from so many countries making the journey to London and the other Olympic venues, it is so fitting that Rotary is offering a welcome.
"The Rotary in London headquarters in York Gate will be open for business throughout the Games, thanks to Rotary volunteers and I believe our friends from Inner Wheel are also helping. That’s not all that Rotary is doing. I have heard that Rotarians are hoping to greet people at airports, welcoming them to our country, and some are getting their hands dirty by cleaning Olympic apartments whilst raising money for good causes.
"Also, two of the RIBI youth competitions have been awarded the Inspire mark which means that they have been approved by LOCOG and are using the Olympics as a theme. The London 2012 Inspire mark is only awarded to carefully selected events which capture the spirit of the London 2012 Olympics, in recognition of their work in one of six areas: sustainability, education, volunteering, business, sport or culture. These, and the many other RIBI competitions, are open to youngsters everywhere and are well worth entering.
"All of us in Rotary wish every Olympic athlete the best of luck this year and hopefully our local participants will pick up a few medals too."
Rotarians wishing to help the Olympics achieve success can visit the RIBI Olympic Committee pages.
