Beacon to host Team GB Nation's Biggest Sports Day

Team GB athletes are heading to Sunderland this summer as the Beacon of Light hosts one the country’s biggest community sports events.

On Saturday 24th August, the Beacon will be bursting with sports and activities for all the family, from football to netball, boccia and dance classes for I Am Team GB’s Nation’s Biggest Sports Day.

Aiming to inspire people to take part in sport and physical activity for at least one day, in particular those who aren’t usually active but would like to try something new and change their lifestyle, the event will inspire them to incorporate sport into their everyday lives.

Foundation of Light Commercial Director, Phil King, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be hosting I Am Team GB at the Beacon of Light on 24th August. To be chosen as one of the leading events in the country is a real honour and a real coup for the city.

The Beacon plays a really important role in improving lives in our community, so to have Team GB athletes visit us and get involved is the perfect way to inspire the people of the north east to try new things, keep active and stay healthy.

Supported by Toyota and several leading British Olympic athletes, including Laura Kenny, I Am Team GB provides opportunities for thousands of people to get active and take part in sporting or recreational activities, as the build-up continues to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Team GB Commercial Director, Tim Ellerton, said: “We are very excited to be bringing back I Am Team GB. With the tremendous support from Toyota and the huge success of the previous campaign, we know that we can create an impactful and more importantly fun opportunity for local communities to come together, get moving and enjoy the bank holiday weekend.

“We saw the incredible impact of I Am Team GB in 2016 after the Rio Games, the creativity of events, the engagement of communities and the enjoyment of athletes and fans alike.”

Toyota ambassador and Olympic legend, Laura Kenny, said: “We have seen just what an impact the Olympics has in terms of generating interest, enthusiasm and participation in sport.

“It’s vital that sport takes advantage of this excitement and interest. With just over a year to go until Tokyo 2020, this is the perfect time to be launching I Am Team GB and I am looking forward to seeing the fantastic range of events that people throughout the country get involved in.”

I Am Team GB was originally launched in 2016 to celebrate the success of Britain’s Olympians returning from the Rio Games. The award-winning campaign harnessed the power of the Olympic sporting network and almost one million people across the UK took part.

For those who would rather organise an activity than take part in one already organised, there are terrific opportunities in the form of I Am Team GB Games Makers.

Building on the unprecedented success of the volunteers at London in 2012, the Games Makers will receive full support and help with organising activities as part of the programme.