In a really close contest in the first round of the 2011 London Panathlon Challenge competition, held at the Westway Sports Centre in W10 on Thursday 17 February, the team from Westminster had an exciting win over their neighbours from Islington and Camden. They achieved a winning total of 60 points at the end of a competitive day of sport. Islington and Camden were tied on 52 points, Islington just edging it by virtue of having achieved 4 firsts against their opponents 1. So, Westminster and Islington go through to the Central London final on 25 March. Camden will have to try again in 2012.
30 London boroughs have participated over the last 8 weeks to determine who goes ahead to the 5 area finals in March. At the end of the area finals, 5 teams will emerge to compete for the ultimate prize in June; the London Panathlon Challenge Champions 2011.
The Mayor of London, through his Sports Legacy Fund, is supporting Panathlon with £86,000 in 2011 and the same amount next year. This means that in the three years in the lead up to the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, he will have invested £255,000 in developing grass roots disability sport in London, through Panathlon. Boris Johnson said, ‘ The Panathlon Challenge is a fantastic competition. It is about taking part, aspiration and achievement, three of the best motivators for young people’
