Coventry and Warwickshire 2012 Partnership

On Friday 23 July Imagineer Productions will be joined Olympian David Moorcroft as he announces the first members of the Godiva Awakes Cycle Team at Coventry Transport Museum.

The Cycle Team forms one part of the Godiva Awakes project which is commissioned through Artists Taking the Lead and funded by Arts Council England. Imagineer Productions will create a ten metre high Lady Godiva, who will awake from her sleeping chamber in July 2012.

She will be a symbol of justice for the 21^st Century embodying the values of fair play, friendship, respect and courage that are at the heart of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In July 2012, Godiva will awake to a spectacular performance involving dancers, actors, aerialists, musicians, pyrotechnicians, carnivalists and young people in a procession marking the unveiling of this Lady Godiva for the modern age. Powered by 50 cyclists, all members of the 100 strong cycling team, on a structure called the Cyclopedia, Godiva will then journey to London to play a part in the London 2012 celebrations.

The first four team members signed up to be part of the team at the Festival of Cycling in June through taking part in a virtual cycle ride to London. Over 100 people took part over during the weekend and the lucky four had their names drawn out of a hat by David Moorcroft during National Bike Week (19 – 27 June).

The first four team members include:

1. Steve Bant aged 47 years from Eastern Green, Coventry.

2. Andrew Belgrove, aged 47 years from Whitley, Coventry.

 3. Phil Bridge aged 30 years from Coundon, Coventry.

4. David Hearne aged 56 from Earlsdon, Coventry.

The team will also be joined by a representative from BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire, Rosie King, who will train as part of the team and take part in 2012.

David Moorcroft, Olympian said: “I was honoured to be invited to draw the names of the first Godiva Awakes Cycle Team members and I think the challenge these people have set themselves is amazing.

"It is fantastic to see so many people want to get involved in Godiva Awakes, a project which presents people with a unique opportunity to be part of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Being part of the Godiva Awakes Cycle Team from now until Godiva arrives in London will be a once in a lifetime experience.”

Kathi Leahy, Director at Imagineer Productions said: “The response to the Godiva Awakes project to-date has been hugely positive and through the Cycle Team people from Coventry and the region as a whole have really recognised an opportunity for them to be part of London 2012.

"There are still places available on the team and we want everyone - from people who have never cycled before to real cycling enthusiasts - to sign up to be part of the team that will power Godiva to London in 2012.”

There are still opportunities for people aged 14 years and over to sign up to the Cycle Team with 29 places still available for novice enthusiasts who can apply through: Completing a postcard telling Imagineer in 30 words why they should be part of the team by 17 September. People can pick up the postcard from libraries and sports centres across Coventry and from Cycle Hubs (groups/shops) region-wide or download the postcard from www.imagineerproductions.co.uk.

25 names will be drawn from the postcard entrants w/c 20 Sept and announced following the Festival of Invention in late Sept/early Oct; or through taking part in Re-Cyc-La Bike, creating a working bike out of scrap, as part of the Festival of Invention on 25 September. The winning team of 4 will automatically win a place on the Cycle Team.

Up to 66 places are also available for experienced enthusiasts, regular cyclists and members of cycling teams, including disability groups. Experienced cyclists should contact Imagineer Productions via: info@imagineerproductions.co.uk providing name, contact details, why they want to join the team, where they are based and how often they cycle.

The full 100 strong Cycle Team will be announced in the Autumn and will begin training together for the journey in 2012. For further information please visit: www.imagineerproductions.co.uk

Imagineer Productions are working with the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership for the 2012 Games (CW2012) to maximise opportunities arising from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. www.cswp.org.uk/london2012.