There’s nothing like a sunny day for putting people in a good mood, so we were delighted that an ODA and LOCOG visit to Weymouth and Portland on Friday was bathed in glorious sunshine.
The trip to the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy was a chance for ODA and LOCOG Chief Executives, David Higgins and Paul Deighton, to visit the venue which will host the Sailing events in 2012 and to view the work that is now underway to enhance the facilities for the Games.
Paul and David visit the Sailing venue:
A tour around the site showed the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy as a hugely impressive venue for people of all ages, skill levels and abilities - and the ODA’s works will only add to the superb facilities the Academy can offer to the local community and elite athletes alike.
The start of the ODA’s enhancement works mark the start of construction on the first venue for 2012, so the local dignitaries that joined David and Paul on the visit were in celebratory mood as Weymouth and Portland took the gold medal as the first site to start works!
A boat trip around Weymouth and Portland harbour then gave the guests the chance to test the waters that will be the focus for sailors around the world when the Beijing Games are over this summer and the focus turns to the 2012 Sailing events. The Weymouth seafront and jurassic coastline that surrounds the venue is a fantastic sight at the best of times - bathed in brilliant sunshine it was breathtaking and gives a glimpse of what athletes and spectators will see when the Games events set sail in 2012.
A view of Weymouth and Portland harbour:
Back on dry land and the celebratory mood continued as our guests took it in turn to make a short speech about the plans for 2012, with David and Paul hailing Weymouth and Portland as a 'dream venue'. As the speeches came to a close, there was just enough time to enjoy some Dorset sunshine before the visit came to a close.
It was a great trip and if we get the same weather in 2012 (with some wind for the sailors of course!) Weymouth & Portland is sure to be one of the highlights of the Games.
