Harlow’s new leisure zone to be part of London 2012
Athletes from around the world could be training in Harlow
following today’s announcement that the town’s new Community Sports
& Leisure centre is to be included in the London 2012 Pre-Games
Training Camp Guide.
The facility has been chosen as one of 65
facilities in the region and could be used for Badminton,
Basketball, Fencing, Trampolining, Judo and Indoor Volleyball
leading up to the games.
The Pre-Games Training Guide will be published
at the Beijing 2008 Games, with a new website showcasing the
options. National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and National Paralympic
Committees (NPCs) will be able to decide where to base themselves
or where to send individual athletes to prepare and acclimatise for
London 2012.
The news has been met with delight by Harlow Council. The Council
through the Harlow Olympic Working Group is working alongside
partners to ensure that Harlow benefits from the legacy that London
2012 will bring. Harlow’s close proximity to London could prove to
be an advantage in encouraging athletes to train in the town.
Harlow Council’s Olympic Member Champion
Councillor Mark Wilkinson, said: “This is excellent news and gives
Harlow a real opportunity to be part of London 2012. It is a major
part of what we are trying to do to ensure Harlow benefits from the
Olympics. We are very pleased as a lot of hard work has gone into
this.”
Joint Council Leader Councillor Chris
Millington, said: “This is very good news for Harlow’s
regeneration. Not only is this positive news for the town it is
also excellent news for the new community sports & leisure
centre and a vindication of the hard work put in by all the
partners. When the new centre opens it will be one of the best in
the region and a few years later could be used to help train London
2012 gold medallists.”
Joint Council Leader Councillor Tony Durcan,
said: “I am absolutely delighted. There is a real possibility that
athletes from across the world will be in Harlow training for the
Olympics. This will contribute towards enhancing the image of the
town and be an excellent motivation for the people of Harlow to
participate in sport at a venue where Olympic athletes have
trained.”
More information on the announcement can be
found at http://www.london2012.com/.
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Councillor Mark Wilkinson & Tonya Gosling of Harlow
District Sports Trust
at the Gateway Leisure site.
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