The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) will publish its Guide of both Olympic and Paralympic facilities that are capable of hosting teams wanting to prepare for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games later in the summer.
The East Midlands Development Agency (emda) managed the selection process in the region. The 12 facilities chosen will be able to host 20 different sports including Paralympic Athletics at Loughborough University, Wheelchair Tennis at the Nottingham Tennis Centre; Paralympic Swimming at Corby’s East Midlands International Swimming Pool; Volleyball (sitting) at Kettering Leisure Village; Paralympic Equestrian at The Defence Animal Centre in Melton Mowbray and Wheelchair Rugby at Braunstone Leisure Centre in Leicester.
Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London Organising Committee, said:
“The facilities listed in this Guide will really help overseas athletes and teams prepare well for London 2012. The assessment process we have conducted shows that there is a good spread of high quality sporting facilities for athletes across the board. I hope that as many teams and athletes as possible take advantage of these facilities. Our vision is to use the Games to inspire change and change attitudes towards people with a disability. We look forward to welcoming Paralympic athletes to the UK in 2012”.
Abby Johnson Brennan, Deputy Chief Executive of emda said:
“The inclusion of so many East Midlands facilities in the Guide shows how much the region has to offer to athletes training for the Paralympic Games in London in 2012.
The East Midlands is committed to playing its full part in supporting the Games and we look forward to welcoming athletes from around the world to train here.”
Former Paralympian tennis player, Jayant Mistry said:
“Having trained at both the Tennis Centre in Nottingham and Loughborough University I am thrilled to see both venues included in the Guide. Not only will it promote the region to some of the best athletes in the world, it will give the public locally more of an appreciation of Paralympians and their pursuit of sporting excellence”.
Anne McGuire, Minister for Disabled People, commented:
“I’m delighted for each of the facilities that are included in the Guide. We’re looking forward to seeing elite athletes from around the world training here in advance of the Paralympic Games, raising the profile of the Games and engaging with local communities across the UK
Phil Lane, CEO ParalympicsGB, said:
“It is a significant bonus for the National Paralympic Committees around the world to benefit from the same process and awards as their Olympic counterparts for the first time. We have worked closely with London 2012 in evaluating these sites and are sure that the UK’s Nations and Regions will provide excellent facilities for Paralympic athletes preparing for the London 2012 Paralympic Games”.
The facilities have been assessed by LOCOG with input from National Governing Bodies of Sport, the British Paralympic Association (BPA) and Sport England. Each venue demonstrates a strong focus on standards of accessibility and accommodation, plus the commitment to co-operate with National Paralympic Committees (NPCs).
LOCOG has a training camp financial award scheme which can offer up to £25,000, subject to certain criteria, to help attract National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) to base themselves in the UK.
Extensive details of the facilities will appear on a dedicated website showcasing the quality and variety of options throughout the UK which will help NPCs and NOCs decide where to train. The national tourism agency, Visit Britain, is developing this new website in partnership with LOCOG and will bring its experience of marketing destinations and tourism products to an international audience.
The Guide will be launched at the Beijing Games after which time it will be available online. See http://www.london2012.com/news for a full regional breakdown of the Paralympic facilities.
ENDS
This is an official Press Release from LOCOG, distributed by the East Midlands Development Agency on behalf of the East Midlands Management Board for the 2012 Games.
For further information about this press release, please contact Nick King, PR and Media Manager, East Midlands Development Agency (emda) on 0115 988 8375.
For further information about London 2012 visit the website.
Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on the blog.
The facilities that have been selected in the East Midlands are:
Loughborough University, providing:
Paralympic Athletics, Boccia, Paralympic Cycling – Road, football five-a-side, football seven-a-side, Goalball, Paralympic Judo, Paralympic Powerlifting, Paralympic Swimming, Paralympic Table Tennis, Volleyball (sitting), Wheelchair basketball, Wheelchair Fencing, Wheelchair Rugby, Wheelchair Tennis.
National Water Sports Centre, providing: Paralympic rowing.
Trent Bridge, providing: Paralympic archery.
Nottingham Tennis Centre, providing: Wheelchair tennis.
Nottingham Trent University, providing: Boccia, Paralympic Equestrian, Goalball, Paralympic Table Tennis, Volleyball (sitting), Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Fencing, Wheelchair Rugby.
Nottingham Wildcats Arena, providing: Wheelchair Basketball
Braunstone Leisure Centre, Leicester, providing: Paralympic Judo, Paralympic Table Tennis, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby.
Kettering Leisure Village, providing: Boccia, Paralympic Table Tennis, Volleyball (sitting), Wheelchair Tennis.
Moulton College, Northampton, providing: Boccia, Paralympic Equestrian, Goalball.
Corby East Midlands International Swimming Pool, providing: Paralympic Swimming.
Defence Animal Centre, Melton Mowbray, providing: Paralympic Cycling – Road, Paralympic Equestrian.
Princess Royal Sports Arena, Boston, providing: Paralympic Athletics, Wheelchair Fencing, Wheelchair Rugby.
