Free Olympics for anyone without a ticket as Poplar screens Games live

Mike Brooke Thursday, August 2, 2012
7:00 AM

A free ‘Games on the Screen’ outdoor cinema is being set up to bring the Olympics live to Poplar, two miles from the stadium in London’s deprived East End.

A giant screen goes up in Langdon Park on Saturday and Sunday arranged by Poplar Harca housing association.

Olympic events such as the 100 metres semi finals and finals, hurdles, high jump and the marathon will be screened live from Stratford.

Harca’s chief executive Steve Stride said: “This is a free event for our community to celebrate the Olympics, cheer on Team GB and enjoy the sports achievements of international heroes from around the world.”

The outdoor cinema is also screening ‘B’ movies—community films from the recent East End Film Festival—as well as two feature films, ‘Cool Runnings’ at 4pm on Saturday and ‘Bend it Like Beckham’ at 3pm on Sunday.

The screens go live from 12 noon to 10.30pm, with room for family picnics and food stalls.

But the two-day event is ‘alcohol free’ with organisers also banning glass bottles and barbeques.