by Hannah Baker T&A Reporter More than 10,000 children from schools across the district filled Odsal Stadium yesterday for a dance, sport and musical extravaganza to celebrate the 2012 Olympic Games.

The Bradford District Schools Sports and Cultural Olympiad even saw a new world record set as 4,000 youngsters took part in a Zumba-style dance on the pitch.

The event, run by the Bradford Bulls Foundation and Bradford Council and involving more than 100 schools, also included an RAF flypast, banner parade, cheerleading and singing.

Laid out on the pitch were more than 200 king-sized bed sheets, donated by Bradford-based Freemans Grattan Holdings and decorated by pupils with Olympic-themed art.

Councillor Ralph Berry, the Council’s executive member for children and young people’s services, who was among visitors to the event, said: “There’s a huge degree of enthusiasm among Bradford schools for Olympic events.

“More than half of schools in Bradford are here co-operating in this fantastic event. The atmosphere here is amazing, these kids are buzzing with excitement. This is a great Bradford success.”

Kath Tunstall, the Council’s strategic director of children’s services, said: “It’s a fantastic sight seeing children from all communities and of all ages mixing together, it encapsulates the Olympic spirit. The sheer number of schools and children that have taken part is a fantastic testament to Bradford.”

The record-breaking Zumba dance was choreographed by Deana Morgan, of The D M Academy in Shipley.

A series of sports and cultural events, involving about 1,400 children each day, will be held at the stadium throughout the remainder of the week.

They include percussion and sculpture workshops, a sports challenge and music, art and dance carousel.

Four primary and four secondary schools will work with Southbank Sinfonia Orchestra, which supported last year’s Mega Music Day at Valley Parade, and composer Barry Russell on a composition and film project inspired by the Olympics.

Gareth Cook, general manager for the foundation, said: “The events are using the power of music, sport, dance and art to motivate people in Bradford. Bradford gets a lot of bad press and it’s nice to do something positive and inclusive.”