London 2012 Announces £10 Million Investment in Games-time Training Venues

Schools, universities, sports clubs and leisure centres in London and throughout the UK are to benefit from a major legacy investment opportunity after being designated as Games-time training venues.

At least £10 million is being made available to invest in facilities which will bring the venues up to world-class standards for use by athletes during the London 2012 Games. The facilities will then be available for use by the local community after the Games.

A network of Games-time training venues have been announced by the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) who are, respectively, managing the project and funding the majority of the capital works needed.

The training venues, unlike the pre-Games training camps being set up across the UK for exclusive use by national squads, will be used by athletes from more than 200 countries to help them train and make final preparations immediately prior to and during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Athletes will use the sport-specific facilities from mid-July 2012 when they move into the Athletes’ Village. The training venues all meet the requirement to be no more than 30 minutes’ drive from the Village and will also offer medical facilities, changing rooms and catering.

LOCOG Chair Seb Coe said: ‘These are first-rate venues that will provide excellent training facilities for athletes getting ready for the biggest sporting competition in their careers. It is important that they have high-quality training areas for their final preparations. Funding from the ODA has helped upgrade these facilities. This is a tangible benefit of the Games because these upgrades will be available for use afterwards, ensuring that local communities have access to the facilities as well.’

ODA Chairman John Armitt said: ‘A strong part of our bid to stage the Games was about leaving a lasting legacy in London afterwards. By investing in existing facilities where possible, the best value for the taxpayer has been secured in addition to sports provision being significantly improved across the area. Venues will be left with world-class courts and surfaces which will serve the community for years to come.’