1st August, 2012

A group of Catholics in England have created an Olympic Cross as part of a bid to reach out to Olympians those attending the 2012 London Games.

James Parker, Catholic executive coordinator for the 2012 Games, was told the Catholic News Agency that the cross was designed as a keepsake "that symbolises everything the games truly represent, something we could then pass on to future Olympic host nations".

"As Christians our lives mean nothing without the Cross, and so this seemed to be the most suitable object to commission for ourselves and as a future gift to others," he said.

The Cross, which incorporates 12 different types of wood to represent the 12 disciples and has a three tiered base to symbolise the virtues of faith, hope and love, has been placed at the Joshua Camp, an international Catholic Olympic gathering being held in East London over the first couple of weeks of August.

The Cross was designed and created by artist Jon Cornwall, from the Walsingham House retreat center in Essex. Following the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, it may head to Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games or alternatively go to Brazil for the 2013 World Youth Day, the 2014 Football World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

- DAVID ADAMS