Ahead of the 2012 London Olympics, embassies have Games of their own

WASHINGTON – Wednesday’s gloomy weather didn’t stop embassies in the District from gathering at American University’s Reeves Field for some friendly Olympic competition.

“Embassy Olympics” marked 100 days to go until the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. Embassies located in D.C. Who previously hosted the Games were invited to participate in a range of activities like relay races, shot put throws and even 3-point basketball shoot-outs.

“I think it’s wonderful,” British Ambassador Peter Westmacott said, “Because, despite the horrible weather here, we are at American University with athletes, colleagues, friends — fit and unfit.”

Westmacott hopes the event will be a boon for his country.

“What we did with our Olympic bid was use it as a means of really recreating the infrastructure of a pretty deprived part of the city — the East End,” the Ambassador said.

Staffers and embassies from eight countries and the State Department participated in the event.

Nathan Hager contributed to this report. Follow WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

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