Pictured at the launch of World Sport Day at the Copperbox in the Olympic Park are Team GB athlete Zoe Smith with Katherine and Robert from Jo Richardson Secondary. Picture: David Poultney for LOCOG

Two schools from Barking and Dagenham have today helped to launch the London 2012 World Sport Day.

The sports day takes place on June 25 and will see thousands of young people across the country participate in sports and celebrate athletes and countries from around the world.

Schools will be encouraged to stage their own World Sport Day opening ceremony and look at the sport, music, dance, languages, flags and food of a chosen country or countries.

Plans for World Sport Day, which will open Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week in England and Wales, were announced today at the Copper Box in the Olympic Park, with Ripple Primary School in Barking and Jo Richardson Secondary School in Dagenham taking part in the launch.

Roger Mitchell, headteacher at Ripple Primary School, said: “Here at Ripple Primary School we are proud to hold a yearly Cultural Diversity fortnight.

“During this time, each class learns about a particular country and then puts on a showcase to celebrate that country’s culture.

“World Sport Day gives us the opportunity to both celebrate the London 2012 Games and incorporate the Cultural Diversity work and sports activities that our young people enjoy so much.

“Because we have a wonderful Samba band at our school, we will be supporting Team Brazil on London 2012 World Sport Day and joining thousands of other schools across the UK in this occasion.”

Also attending the launch event were Team GB athletes Zoe Smith and Charlie Walker, Fijian athlete Sisilia Nsigia Rasokisoki and New Zealand athlete Jonathan Paget.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) will help schools with their celebrations and give advice on how to host an opening ceremony.

Seb Coe, London 2012 chairman, said: “With the Games almost here, World Sport Day presented by Lloyds TSB is a fantastic opportunity to bring the young people of the UK together on one day to celebrate our amazing athletes from all over the world, and their nations and cultures.

“The day will showcase all the work young people are doing on the teams they have been supporting – whether as a class, a year group or a whole school community.”