The campaign, organised by Universities UK and British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS), features a number of events and activities climaxing in the BUCS Visa Outdoor Athletics Championships in the Olympic Stadium, a London 2012 test event.
'Essential to London 2012'
Universities have been important to the preparation for the London 2012 Games, serving as a vital source of expertise, facilities, and workforce. London 2012 has engaged directly with universities and colleges through its work with Podium, the Further and Higher Education Unit for the Games.
London 2012 Organising Committee Chair Seb Coe said: ‘I am delighted to be supporting Universities Week 2012 which is celebrating the Higher Education sector’s engagement with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
'Universities have been essential to London 2012; through the provision of expertise, facilities, volunteers and many of Team GB and ParalympicsGB’s potential medal hopefuls.’
Over 70 training camp deals have been signed with Higher Education institutions, while thousands of students will be working or volunteering at the Games through the Summer Job of a Lifetime and Games Maker programmes.
Greenwich University and Royal Holloway will both serve as Games-time venues in London with Strathclyde, Warwick, Newcastle and Cardiff Universities all providing training facilities for the Football Tournament.
London 2012 test event
The BUCS Visa Outdoor Athletics Championships will be part of the London Prepares series, with 1,200 student athletes competing for glory across 15 disciplines between 4–7 May.
Among the other highlights of the week will be the Podium Awards, a prestigious celebration recognising the vital role UK-wide colleges and universities have played in delivering the London 2012 Games. Over 200 projects have been nominated for the awards, with the winners announced at a ceremony on 3 May.
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