Your chance to get involved with the 2012 Olympics in Hackney

Have you ever dreamed of being the best of the best? Well Hackney Paralympic swimmer  Dervis Konuralp did and he is one of the borough's hopeful at the London Olympics in 2012. Dervis is a four time Paralympic swimmer, winning a total of 35 major international medals, 14 of which are gold.

This week residents got the chance to meet the famous swimmer and now this lunchtime and tomorrow lunchtime(Friday September 3) residents will have a chance to find out what sporting opportunities are available in the run up to the Olympics.

The event is being run by Hackney Council to mark the fact that it is two years to go before the games begin.

The Council is running a series of lunchtime events to mark the fact that it's now two years to go until the start of the 2012 Paralympic Games.

There will be the chance to find out about volunteering, training, employment, sports for disabled and non-disabled residents, the legacy from the Games and more.

The events run from 12.30 to 1.30pm,at the 2012 information stand in the Hackney Service Centre, 1 Hillman Street, E8 (behind Hackney Town Hall).

Schedule -

Thursday: find out about the legacy of the 2012 Games for Hackney

Friday: find out about sports for disabled and non-disabled residents

Hackney Council runs a wide range of clubs for disabled residents including sessions in athletics, Boccia (Paralympic sport similar to Boules), goalball, swimming and wheelchair basketball.

Three times a year Activity for All open days are held at leisure centres across the borough, which are designed to inspire disabled people across the borough to try out new sports and realise their potential. They are run by the borough’s leisure managers GLL, Hackney Council's 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Unit, Hackney Ark resource centre, NHS City & Hackney and the Learning Trust.

Find out more here