Stirling to celebrate Olympics with events
Performances and workshops to take place in city
A free community event to celebrate the 2024 Olympics is launched in Stirling this week.
Go Forth Stirling, the city’s BID (Business Improvement District), is hosting a Mini-olympics with fun and games for all the family in the pedestrianised section of Port Street.
The event kicks off this Friday, July 26 – the same day as the Olympics opening ceremony in Paris – when participants will be able to send good wishes to Stirling athletes competing in France and have their photos taken on a winners’ podium.
The Mini-olympics, which includes performances and workshops from leading football freestyler Ross Brown, takes place over two weeks and is the first of a series of events which are aimed at celebrating ‘Summer in Stirling’.
Josie Brown, the BID’S Events Officer, organised the event alongside Street Ambassador Gail Lamb and Communications & Partnership Manager Jitka Fleglova.
The Mini-olympics take place from noon to 4pm on Friday, July 26, Wednesday, July 31, Wednesday, August 7, and Friday, August 9, in Port Street.
The first event will give participants the chance to compete in jousting, an egg race and a vertical jump competition and take photos on the winners’ podium.
They can also send good luck messages to local Olympic athletes including seven swimmers from the University of Stirling who will be competing for Team GB in France.
The second session includes Yard Games with competitions including a giant snakes and ladders plus a bean bag toss while on Wednesday, August 7, families can enjoy a Day of Sports as they try their hand on rowing machines and battle ropes provided by Pure Gym.
Meanwhile, special guest Ross Brown will be on hand to demonstrate his skills, teach participants how to perform their favourite football trick and compete in a Sub Soccer shootout.
The event finishes on Friday, August 9, with a closing ceremony and a chance for families to test their speed with ‘Minute-towin-it’ style games.
Throughout the two-week initiative, participants can also purchase raffle tickets in a bid to win a family pass for this year’s Stirling Highland Games which take place on Saturday, August 17.
Half of the proceeds from the raffle will go to local charity Paths For All whose mission is to make walking accessible for all ages and abilities.
Kevin Lafferty, Chief Executive of Paths for All, encouraged residents to take part.
He said: “As a Stirling-based charity, we’re delighted to see this Mini Olympics event come to life.
“We’re inspired by our local athletes and excited to see families participating.
“While athletic feats are impressive, we also believe in the power of small steps - like daily walks - to improve everyone’s wellbeing, so this summer, we encourage everyone to get outside, support our athletes, and celebrate our city.
“Every contribution to this event helps our cause.
“The funds raised will help us to support people to become more active, for a healthier community.
Full details of the Miniolympics can be found by visiting https://goforthstirling.co.uk/ summerinstirling.