Raising the Olympic Flag an England's Highest Summit!

21st August 2008

THREE sporting figureheads from Cumbria will climb to the top of Scafell Pike, on Sunday, and unfurl the London 2012 Olympic flag to coincide with the closing ceremony in Beijing.

Mountaineer, Sir Chris Bonington, fell-running legend Joss Naylor, 72, and long distance runner Laura Park, 16, will climb to the 978m summit – the highest point in England – and plant the flag.

Sir Chris, who has lived in Cumbria since 1974, said: “Mountaineering was one of the original sports identified by Baron de Coubertin, for inclusion when the modern Olympics began in 1896, so this is a particularly fitting event to mark an exciting four years for British sport.

“The whole of the world’s eyes will be on London in four years time, so we want to kick off our Olympic adventure in style in Cumbria.”

Joss Naylor, the best known fell runner Cumbria has ever produced, said: “It’s always a pleasure to be at the top of Scafell Pike as it’s got one of the greatest viewpoints in the country and is one of the most visited spots in the Lakes.

“It will be a particular pleasure as we’ll be flying the flag for Britain. Hopefully the publicity that’s generated around the Olympics will encourage more and more young people to take up sport.”

Laura Park, the Maryport-based distance running sensation who has already won six national titles and hopes to compete in the 2012 Olympics, said: “It’s an exciting prospect to be flying the Olympic flag and certainly gives me a clear goal to aim for in four years time. It’s a great honour to be asked to accompany two sporting legends to the highest point in England to mark this occasion.”

Cumbria County Council’s leader Tim Stoddard said: “ We’re all setting our sights high for the 2012 Games, so flying the flag on the roof of England is a suitable start to our Olympic journey.”

Flags will also be raised at in Allerdale, Carlisle and South Lakeland.