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The first of the Olympic celebrations came to Gloucester on Sunday August 24th 2008.
The city’s docks played host to a special flag ceremony to mark the official end of the 2008 Olympics and the official handover of the Olympic flag to London.
Mayor Norman Ravenhill, Deputy Mayor and Sheriff Nigel Hanman and Leader of the City Council Paul James attended the ceremony at North Warehouse, which also marked the selection of Gloucester’s sporting facilities to be used as training venues for 2012, including the choice of GL1 for artistic gymnastics.
As the raising of the official London 2012 flag, which had been issued to Gloucester City Council, took place at 3.30pm, the Cathedral bells rang out to celebrate the occasion.
Leader of the City Council Paul James, said: “The London organising committee of the Olympic games want to mark this celebration by enabling local authorities to join in the handover moment, and it’s important to remember that local communities do have an important part to play in bringing together all the elements that can make the 2012 Olympic Games a success.
“Such occasions help to put Gloucester firmly on the map and remind people that local groups and facilities can be important factors in making the London Olympics experience a success, not just in the capital but on their doorstep.”
