The scheme, launched during the bid to host the 2012 Games in 2004 on the 20th day of the 12th month (20/12 day), will see the registered children taking part in an event or ceremony surrounding the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 

Over 700 children, who will be aged seven in the summer of 2012, have been registered on the scheme to date. 

 

To assist with the planning of the London 2012 culture, ceremonies and education team, families with children born in the UK on 20th December 2004 who would like to take part but have yet to register, have until April 1, 2009, to do so at www.london2012.com/childrenspromise.

 

Sebastian Coe, the London 2012 chairman, said: “The children and their families are on the journey with us as we work towards the summer of 2012. In the year the children turn four years of age, London ’s four-year build up to the Games began with spectacular sporting performances from our Olympians and Paralympians and the handover from Beijing .”

 

Each child will play a special role in welcoming the world at Games time and could take part in one of the Ceremonies such as the opening or closing ceremonies, team welcome ceremonies, or in the programme of other events that will light up the UK .

 

To mark their fourth birthday, all the registered children were sent a birthday card and special adidas children’s promise t-shirt from the London 2012 team.

 

Families  were invited to upload a photograph of their child playing sport in the t-shirt and special children’s promise photo maps have been created.

 

The children’s promise scheme is one of the many opportunities for people across the UK to be part of the London 2012 Games.

 

Jonathan Edwards, the 2000 Olympic triple jump champion and a member of the London 2012 Board, hosted ten London and South East based families at a birthday celebration overlooking the Olympic Park in London to show them the progress achieved on site to date.

 

He said: “The opportunity for the families to see firsthand the progress on the Olympic Park is an exciting reminder that in three and half years’ time these children will be part of this once-in-a-lifetime event.”