London’s communities are to be first to use the Olympic Park at Stratford ahead of the 2012 Games with plans for four mass participation events.

These include swimming competitions, a community fun-run and a multi-sport tournament.

These are extra to a series of sports test events to be run at selected venues to ensure they are competition-ready.

Giving the news London Mayor Boris Johnson said: “Thousands of Londoners will have the opportunity to be the first to see those iconic venues in action and the awesome sporting legacy the 2012 Games will leave behind at the heart of east London.

“I want everyone in the city to embrace the capital’s role as host of the greatest show on earth, and I can think of no better way of doing that than experiencing, first hand, the thrill of competing at our world-class venues.”