Chloe on ball for Olympics

Chloe Ainsworth: selected as a ball girl for the London 2012 Olympic Games

A Oldham youngster has taken part in an historic event to mark a 50-day countdown to the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The event, at Manchester United’s Old Trafford ground, the only North-West Olympic venue — featured a group of girls and boys aged 13-15, selected as ballboys and girls. The group had their picture taken at the pitchside.

All have been chosen for the honour by teachers and coaches at different Manchester United Foundation projects.

Chloe Ainsworth, a 15-year-old Oldham girl who attends Newman College, said: “I was selected to be a ball girl through the Manchester United Foundation as I play for the Girls’ Centre of Excellence here. I feel very proud to be involved and I’m very excited. It’s a big opportunity for me personally to be part of the Olympics as it’s something that I want to be involved in when I’m older.”

The Old Trafford Olympic matches will kick off on Thursday, July 26 with UAE vs Uruguay and Team GB vs Senegal. As well as welcoming teams such as Spain and Brazil, Manchester will also host the men’s and women’s semi-finals.