Three of Edinburgh and Scotland’s top athletes joined forces today (Thursday 1 April) to launch a city-wide programme designed to make the capital more active.

Olympic hockey player Graham Moodie, word bronze medallist judoka Euan Burton and rising diving star Grace Reid were in Leith to launch the Edinburgh ‘Activicity Sporting Champions’ scheme.

The sporting heroes will be urging locals to be ‘Be Part Of It’ in Edinburgh’s bid to be Europe’s most physically active city by 2020.

In total, the Activcity Sporting Champions programme will see eight of Edinburgh’s finest sports personalities promote sport and physical activity opportunities to people across the capital.

Also involved with the programme is Scotland international rugby player Ben Cairns, world bobsleigh champ Gillian Cooke and Commonwealth medal winning cyclist, Kate Cullen.

They will be joined by burgeoning talents David Kohler and Nony Mordi.  Both students, Kohler is on the British Olympic sailing pathway programme, while Doctor in training Mordi has already represented the full GB team in the triple jump.

Hockey ace Graham Moodie, who has captained Scotland and Great Britain, said: "I am delighted to be part of the Champions programme and help promote sport and physical opportunities.

We want to encourage residents to 'Be Part of It' with us and help Edinburgh be the most physically active city in Europe by 2020.
 
Councillor Deidre Brock, Convenor for Culture and Leisure said: “Our Sporting Champions programme truly reflects the opportunities available to participate in sport and physical activities in Edinburgh, and our eight Champions' dedication and commitment to their sports whilst combining their training with studies and family life is an inspiration to us all."

As part of the programme, the Council is launching a competition for three lucky Edinburgh residents to win an once-in-a-lifetime trip to India.

The winners will travel to 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi to support the Council’s Activcity Sporting Champions in action. They will also be part of the closing ceremony, receiving the Commonwealth Torch for 2014 Glasgow Games.

The competition is open to any Edinburgh residents aged 18+ to enter. Entries will close on Monday 12 April and be short-listed to six finalists who will be interviewed on Thursday 15 April by a panel in Edinburgh. The winners will be announced on Monday 19 April.

Enter the competition here: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/activcity