Patrons of NOGOE include historian and television presenter Dr David Starkey and Jamaican-born British bass-baritone Sir Willard White while members of the group believe that Greenwich Park is not a suitable venue for the London 2012 Olympic equestrian events.

"We are extremely worried about the impact the Olympics will have on the Park and the local community," a spokesman for NOGOE told insidethegames.

"We also believe the Park will not provide a satisfactory experience for the competitors and spectators so we are campaigning for the equestrian events to be moved to a more suitable venue.

"We know that the planned protest during the Olympic test events in the Park may not change anything but we are determined to make our voices heard about such an important issue and let them see that public opinion is heavily against the event being staged there.

"We know the London 2012 Organising Committee is going the extra mile to make sure that nothing in the Park is damaged but with the sheer scale of the temporary stadium and the number of spectators and participants set to be there next year; it is impossible for them to make that guarantee."

Representatives from NOGOE are set to meet with the police to confirm the protest can go ahead but the provisional plans for it are already in place.


The protest is set to take place on the pavement outside St Mary's Gate (pictured), which is one of the entrances to Greenwich Park on all three days of the London 2012 test event in the Park.

A NOGOE statement on the protest says: "We realise that many of you will be at work or at school on those days but if you are able to come please do - with your banners, placards anti-mascots, face paints and any other eye catching (but legal!) ideas you may have for attracting media attention.

"We also have a few 'Save Greenwich Park' T-shirts to give away.

"Everyone is welcome but the police want to limit numbers so if you think you can come please e-mail us at [email protected].

"More information as it comes in will be posted on www.nogoe2012.com."

Greenwich Park is London's oldest Royal Park and dates back to 1433.

During the London 2012 Games, it will host the Olympic equestrian and modern pentathlon events in July and August 2012, as well as the Paralympic dressage competitions in September.

A temporary main arena for 23,000 spectators will be built within the grounds of the National Maritime Museum but London 2012 have continually emphasised that the structure will cause no long term damage.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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March 2011: London 2012 equestrian manager confident Greenwich Park will not be damaged during Games
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April 2010: Exclusive - Townend says London 2012 equestrian events at Greenwich Park will be "fantastic"