Hackney Council this afternoon confirmed that it will purchase the 100 Olympic Games tickets offered by LOCOG, and announced that it will be giving them to young people who have excelled at sport in the borough.

A Council spokesperson said:

“We have always made it clear that we will do all we can to help our younger residents realise a once in a lifetime opportunity of going to the Games. The cost of these tickets will be met from money already identified for increasing resident participation and access to the Games and so will not be at the expense of other services.

“Ensuring our residents get the maximum benefit possible from the Games is a priority for the Council and we’re very pleased that LOCOG will help us realise the dreams of some of our young people, to see their sporting heroes in action, and give them more inspiration to do even better in the future.”

The tickets will be for a range of sporting events.

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Notes to editors

Pic attached – Young Hackney athletes with Michael Johnson in the Olympic Stadium

Hackney is one of the six host boroughs for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In 2012, Hackney will host the media centres, the Handball Arena and the Hockey Arena. The media centres will remain after 2012 and will provide employment space. The Handball Arena will be transformed into a multi-sport community facility. The Hockey Arena is temporary and will be taken down after the 2012 Games.

Hackney’s priority is to secure the best possible legacy - including jobs for local people, better public transport, a new neighbourhood in the East of the borough, and a better environment.

For more information contact Susie Haywood, Hackney Council press office, 020 8356 2869