London showcases Britain’s sporting credentials

The event was hosted by Sebastian Coe, Chair of London 2012, British Olympic Association chairman Lord Moynihan, VisitBritain chief executive Tom Wright and Olympics Minister Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP and was attended by representatives from over 100 National Olympic Committees from all over the world, as well as representatives from more than half of the International Sports Federations.

The Pre-Games Training Camp Guide contains over 600 sporting venues and facilities throughout the UK which met the standards required to host teams and athletes in the run up to the Games in 2012. Published online, the Guide outlines different venues from all over the country which are suitable training bases for each of the 26 Olympic sports in 2012 as teams prepare for the Games. Developed by LOCOG and VisitBritain, the website showcases the quality and variety of sport facilities in the UK capable of hosting elite athletes. National Olympic Committees choosing to base their athletes at one of these training camps will receive a financial award of up to £25,000 from LOCOG to assist with expenses.

London 2012 Chair Sebastian Coe said: 'We said that we wanted the London Games to be for athletes, and the facilities listed in this Guide will really help overseas athletes prepare well. It also provides a great opportunity for towns throughout the UK to get involved in our plans.

'The process we have been through shows a great spread of high quality facilities throughout the UK that can be used by elite level athletes. The new website will continue to be an asset to keep an up-to-date log of the elite facilities we have across the UK.'

Tessa Jowell, Olympics Minister, said: 'This was the UK united in its determination to make the most of the opportunities offered by hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is about non-stop action to make 2012 Games for all the UK - taking the initiative in selling the high-class sports facilities available right across the country to foreign teams and international sports federations.'

Simon Clegg, Chef de Mission of Team GB, said: 'The BOA is delighted to have worked in cooperation with VisitBritain and LOCOG to host our fellow NOCs at tonight's event - to mark the launch of the Pre-Games Training Camp Guide. Pre-Games preparation camps are a critical factor in the success of Team GB and the facilities available throughout the UK will greatly assist our fellow NOCs a they prepare for the London Games.'

VisitBritain chief executive, Tom Wright says: 'Britain is a sporting nation: potential visitors rank us 5th out of 38 countries for excelling at sport. Our reputation has been earned in part by the popularity of our world-renowned events and venues at destinations in every nation and region.

'The Beijing Olympic Games is a wonderful opportunity for us to assist the nations and regions of Britain in gaining an insight into what they can expect in 2012. It is a chance for them to showcase their locations to decision makers from the world’s Olympic and sporting organisations, presenting first-hand a flavour of the character and assets of their destinations and the excellence of their sporting facilities so that we can win more tourism business for Britain.'

The event was also attended by representatives from Northern Ireland, Wales and the nine of the English regions of the UK - East of England, East Midlands, North East, North West, South East, South West, Yorkshire and London, many of whom are part of a delegation led by VisitBritain to promote Britain to a global audience as host nation of the 2012 Games.

VisitBritain showed the assembled guests a new film that promotes Britain’s sporting heritage and will be used to inspire consumers worldwide online at www.visitbritain.com and by the travel trade and media at events, conferences and exhibitions, and in presentations and seminars. It aims to tap into the 41 per cent of potential visitors to Britain who would be very likely to watch a football match if they were to visit and the one in three who watch another sport like tennis, rugby or horseracing. It showcases an exciting and inspiring, modern, 21st century destination with a strong sporting heritage and culture and aims to inspire people to want to visit Britain and ‘be a part of it’.

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Website: www.london2012.com/trainingcamps

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100