In celebration of London 2012, the University of Essex logo goes gold for the summer, to show the University’s support for the Games and highlight its involvement.

From now until the end of the Olympics and the Paralympics, the gold logo will be displayed on the University’s main webpage and on all social media.

Current Essex student, Scott Moorhouse and Student Activities and Development Manager for the University Students’ Union, Dom King, are both elite athletes currently making their final preparations for the Olympics. Scott, who is a Paralympian javelin thrower and race-walker Dom, have made the grade for selection for the Olympic team and are eagerly awaiting the final decision.

Essex students will be lending a helping hand at the Olympics and Paralympics this year as London 2012 volunteers or Game Makers. And, Sports Science student Kat Parnell will be carrying the torch in her home county of Suffolk on Thursday 5 July.

The University campuses at Colchester and Southend are also home to nearly 400 support staff for London 2012 with Transport operator First Group and catering company Amadeus taking advantage of the great location and quality of University accommodation, booking over 350 rooms throughout the Olympics and Paralympics.

Highlighting previous Olympic games, the University’s Art Exchange at Colchester Campus is displaying an exhibition; Contested Games: Mexico 68’s Olympic design revolution, until July 14 to demonstrate the influential visual designs created by Lance Wyman for the Mexico Olympic Games and how they were used by students protesting for change. Then, from Thursday 19 July to Saturday 28 July, designs by students from local schools and colleges, inspired by Lance Wyman’s classic designs for Mexico 68, will be on display at the Art Exchange.

Academics at Essex are also highlighting their expertise through the University’s Olympic Directory of Experts. With the answers to such questions as “What makes Bolt run so fast?” experts are on hand for media enquiries on current Olympic topics.

Finally, just in time for the Olympics, the new Evolve gym at Southend Campus has opened with state-of-the-art equipment and a range of classes for staff, students and members of the public.

Ends

Notes to Editors

For more information please contact the University of Essex Communications Office on 01206 874377 or e-mail: comms@essex.ac.uk.

The University’s logo is going gold in celebration of London 2012 and will be on display on the main webpage and all social media throughout the Olympics and Paralympics, from Monday 2 July – Sunday 9 September.

The Olympic Directory of Experts can be accessed at: www.essex.ac.uk/experts.