The unveiling ceremony was designed to coincide with the opening reception for the 2011 European Women and Sport conference, which will take place in the capital over the next three days.

Dignitaries in attendance included London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton, Minister for Sport and the Olympics Hugh Robertson and deputy secretary general of the Council of Europe Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, while London 2012's director of human resources Jean Tomlin unveiled the new gender pin badge.

This latest badge is the fourth to have been issued in celebration of London 2012's six strands of diversity, engaging all communities to support London 2012.

The first of the six pin badges was launched last year in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

Pin badges have also been launched to celebrate disability and age, while two further pin badges will be launched later this year on belief and ethnicity to complete the set of six.

The gender pin badge will go on sale later this week where it will be available from the London 2012 shop.

"Our vision is as bold as it is simple - to use the power of the Games to inspire change," said Deighton.

"We want to reach out to all parts of the community and connect them with London 2012.

"We also want to leave a legacy of greater inclusion and understanding of diversity.

"Our diversity and inclusion pin badge range is one way of showing our support for a sporting environment built upon equality and inclusion."

The unveiling ceremony was followed by a drinks reception at the Handball Arena for the delegates attending the 2011 European Women and Sport conference.

The Handball Arena itself will host handball and the fencing discipline of modern pentathlon during the 2012 Olympics before staging goalball during the Paralympics.

After the London 2012 games, it will be adapted to become a multi-use sports centre for community use, athlete training and small events.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
July 2010: London 2012 launch pin badges for gay community