|
B'stoke in the running for Olympics! |
|
|
Tuesday, 18 March 2008 |
Basingstoke and Deane could be the training home for athletes competing in the 2012 Olympics after three facilities were selected to be included within London 2012’s official Pre-Games Training Camp Guide.
Down Grange Sports Facility and the Active Life Centre both made it into the guide as athletics/hockey and gymnastic training venues respectively. They have been joined by Wellington Riding Centre in Heckfield, one of the UK’s biggest and best known equestrian centres.
Down Grange Sports Facility is owned by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and the Active Life Centre is part funded by the borough council.
The sports facilities were selected according to specific criteria and will offer athletes from across the world the opportunity to train and acclimatise in their sport ahead of the London 2012 Games.
The guide will be published at the Beijing 2008 Games, with a new website showcasing the options. National Olympic Committees and National Paralympic Committees will be able to decide where to base themselves or where to send individual athletes to prepare.
Cabinet Member for Sport and Leisure Cllr Keith Chapman said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for these three facilities to host training camps in the borough and we are delighted by the opportunities it may bring. This demonstrates the high quality of sports facilities available in the borough and I hope it may even lead to future investments in Basingstoke and Deane’s sporting facilities.” |
