London 2012 blog

Interesting fact about Newport: it is the home of one of only eight transporter bridges in the world, moving whole segments of road from one side of a river to the other. Interesting fact about Cwmbran Stadium near Newport, is that it was on that athletics track, in May 1984, that Zola Budd, in her memorable bare feet, set the Welsh All Comers 1500m record of 4.04.39. A record which still stands today.

Newport and Cwmbran Stadium was also the first port of call for the visit of Jean Tomlin (LOCOG's HR Director), Amanda Delew and I on a day trip to Wales. This was the final leg of a series of visits to the three other UK home nations, where the objective has been to discuss with local stakeholders LOCOG's plans for volunteering in 2012. After successful trips to Scotland and Northern Ireland (some travel problems notwithstanding), this was another very worthwhile visit.

Cwmbran Stadium not only holds fond memories for Zola, it also hopes to do so in the future for a team from a country participating in the 2012 Games. It is one of 31 Welsh facilities which will be in the Pre-Games Training Camp Guide to be launched in Beijing. It will be in the Guide for Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Football and indoor Volleyball.

Read more of “Volunteering in Wales and the Harry Potter connection”

The British Olympic Association (BOA) have launched a new Team GB website ahead of the Beijing 2008 Games.  




There's lots of interesting information about the Team GB athletes. Over the next few months 'Brits to Watch' out for at the Games will be recording personal video diaries on the road to Beijing. You can already log on see what it was like to carry the Beijing Olympic Torch from Olympic silver medallist Leon Taylor, and enjoy the Team GB’s Synchronised swimming duet’s underwater video diaries.

The website also includes:

- Profiles/biogs on all selected Team GB athletes
- The ability to search by region and find out where the athletes are from
- A detailed competition schedule
- All the latest news and results from the heart of Team GB
- A photo gallery of Team GB's past and present Olympic triumphs
- Information on the Games and the Host City and the Olympic sports themselves. 

Take a look: www.teamgb.com