THE countdown to London's 2012 Olympics will begin in Wakefield at the weekend.
An Olympic handover flag will be raised above the town hall on Sunday to mark the moment London becomes the official Olympic games host city at the close of this year's games in Beijing.
Potential Olympians from the district will be on hand to hel
p raise the flag and the ceremony will double up as a showcase of local sporting and cultural talent.
As well as interactive workshops, there will also be a dance display in Crown Court Yard at 2pm.
The flag will be raised at 2.30pm along with 500 similar flags across the country.
Refreshments and a networking event will follow at the Tourist Information Centre on the Bull Ring shortly after.
Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London 2012 organising committee, said: "When the Mayor of London accepts the Olympic flag on Sunday, the eyes of the world will turn to London and the UK as the next summer host city.
"It is a very important and exciting moment for us, and we want as many people as possible to join in the handover celebrations.
"We are delighted that so many local authorities share our excitement."
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